Communications Device, Apparatus and System
A wireless near-field communications device is disclosed which comprises a first and a second near-field inductive coupling member, each of said first and second coupling member arranged to have a different coupling configuration from each other.
1 - 26 . (canceled)
27 . A wireless near-field communications device, comprising a first and a second near-field inductive coupling member, each of said first and second coupling member arranged to have a different coupling configuration from each other.
28 . The device according to claim 27 , said first coupling member arranged to generate a near-field having a different orientation relative to a near-field generated by said second coupling member.
29 . The device according to claim 28 , said first coupling member arranged to generate a near-field having an orientation transverse, orthogonal or opposed to a near-field generated by said second coupling member.
30 . The device according to claim 27 , said first coupling member arranged to generate a different magnetic near-field configuration from a magnetic near-field configuration generated by said second coupling member.
31 . The device according to claim 27 , said first coupling member disposed spatially distant from said second coupling member.
32 . The device according to claim 27 , said first coupling member arranged to generate a near field having a different near field coupling distance relative to a near field generated by said second coupling member.
33 . The device according to claim 32 , wherein said second coupling member is configured to have a maximum near field coupling distance of up to 1 centimetre.
34 . The device according to claim 27 , wherein said wireless near-field communications device is an NFC device.
35 . The device according to claim 27 , wherein said wireless near-field communications device is an RFID reader.
36 . Apparatus comprising:
a wireless near-field communications device, comprising a first and a second near-field inductive coupling member, each of said first and second coupling member arranged to have a different coupling configuration from each other; and
a second wireless near-field communications device.
37 . Apparatus according to claim 36 wherein the first coupling member is arranged to a have a configuration compatible with a complementary coupling member of the second wireless near-field communications device.
38 . Apparatus according to claim 37 , said device positioned in said apparatus such that said second coupling member is operative to communicate with said complementary coupling member.
39 . Apparatus according to claim 36 , said apparatus comprising a host part and a component part, said host part including said wireless near-field communications device and wherein said device is positioned in said host part such that said second coupling member is operative to couple with a complementary coupling member supported by said component part.
40 . Apparatus according to claim 39 , wherein said component part is removable from said apparatus.
41 . Apparatus according to claim 40 , wherein said component part is replaceable.
42 . Apparatus according to claim 39 , wherein said component part comprises a consumable item for said apparatus.
43 . Apparatus according to claim 39 , wherein said component part comprises an accessory for the host part.
44 . Apparatus according to claim 39 , wherein said component part is a spare part for said apparatus.
45 . Apparatus according to claim 39 , wherein the apparatus is an electrical device and the component part is a fuel cell device.
46 . Apparatus according to claim 39 , wherein the apparatus is a printer and the component part is an ink cartridge.
47 . Apparatus according to claim 36 , wherein the apparatus is one of a printer, a mobile telephone, a personal computer.
48 . Apparatus according to claim 36 , wherein said first coupling member is operative to communicate with a wireless near-field inductive coupling device external to said apparatus.
49 . A wireless near-field inductive coupling communications system comprising apparatus according to claim 39 , wherein said component part includes a device according to claim 27 .
50 . The wireless near-field inductive coupling communications system comprising apparatus according to claim 48 and a wireless near-field inductive coupling device external to said apparatus.
51 . The system according to claim 50 , wherein one or other or both of said devices are configured to provide for power transfer between them.