IP Library Granted Patent US 9,209,867
Granted Patent B2
US 9,209,867 · App. 13/171,023 · Granted Dec 8, 2015

Device for authenticating wanted NFC interactions

Inventor: Philip Stewart Royston (Newbury, GB)
Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
H04B5/0043H04B5/0075H04L63/061H04W12/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,209,867
App. No.
13/171,023
Granted
Dec 8, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electronic device that includes a sensor module, a measuring module and a near field communication (NFC) device. The sensor module receives an input signal. The measuring module measures the strength of the input signal and determines whether the input meets a predefined threshold. If the strength of the input signal meets the predefined threshold, the measuring module activates the NFC device. If the strength of the input signal does not meet the predefined threshold, the measuring module de-activates the NFC device.

Claims (53)

1. A system for activating an NFC device, comprising:

a sensor module, configured to receive an input signal, wherein the input signal is generated by a user contact with an electronic device; and

a measuring module, configured to:

measure the strength of the input signal;

determine whether the input signal meets a predefined threshold;

activate the NFC device included within the electronic device when the input signal meets a predefined threshold; and

deactivate the NFC device when the input signal does not meet the predefined threshold, and

wherein communication between the NFC device and another NFC device only occurs when the input signal generated by the user contact meets the predefined threshold.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the measuring module is further configured to activate a tag mode on the NFC device.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the measuring module is further configured to deactivate a tag mode on the NFC device.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of casings, wherein each casing includes the sensor module.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor module is a resonance device that includes an oscillating circuit and the measuring module includes a frequency detection module.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the resonance device includes a conductive ink.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the resonance device includes a printed circuit board (PCB).

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor module is a pressure sensor and the measuring module is a resistance measuring module.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a light source configured to emit light and wherein the measuring module is a photodetector.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the measuring module is a frequency detection module that measures the change in the frequency emitted by an antenna module.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor module includes a conductive surface and wherein the measuring module is an RF circuit.

12. A computer-implemented method for activating an NFC device comprising:

sensing an input signal, wherein the input signal is generated by a user contact with an electronic device;

measuring the strength of the input signal;

determining whether the strength of the input signal meets a predefined threshold;

activating the NFC device that is included within an electronic device when the input signal meets the predefined threshold; and

deactivating the NFC device when the input signal does not meet the predefined threshold, and

wherein communication between the NFC device and another NFC device only occurs when the input signal generated by the user contact meets the predefined threshold.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising sensing a plurality of input signals from a plurality of casings attached to the electronic device.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the activating further comprises activating a tag mode on the NFC device.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the deactivating further comprises deactivating a tag mode on the NFC device.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the measuring further comprises measuring a change in frequency.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the sensing further comprises sensing a change in a tuning element.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the measuring further comprises measuring resistance of an electric circuit.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the sensing further comprises sensing pressure on a casing of the electronic device.

20. The method of claim 12 , wherein the sensing further comprises sensing a light reflected from a light source.

21. The method of claim 12 , wherein the measuring further comprises measuring the rate of reflection of a light reflected from a light source.

22. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions retrieved thereon that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations for activating an NFC device comprising:

sensing an input signal, wherein the input signal is generated by a user contact with an electronic device;

measuring the strength of the input signal;

determining whether the strength of the input signal meets a predefined threshold;

activating the NFC device that is included within the electronic device when the input signal meets the predefined threshold; and

deactivating the NFC device when the input signal does not meet the predefined threshold, and

wherein communication between the NFC device and another NFC device only occurs when the input signal generated by the user contact meets the predefined threshold.

23. A system for activating an NFC device, comprising:

a plurality of sensor modules that include a conductive material on a plurality of casings on an electronic device, wherein each sensor module is configured to receive an input signal, the input signal is generated by a user contact with conductive material on each casing;

an insulating material that surrounds each sensor module; and

a measuring module, configured to:

measure the strength of the input signal;

determine whether the input signal meets a predefined threshold;

activate the NFC device included within the electronic device when the input signal meets a predefined threshold when contact with the electronic device occurs; and

deactivate the NFC device when the input signal does not meet the predefined threshold,

wherein communication between the NFC device and another NFC device only occurs when the input signal generated by the user contact meets the predefined threshold.

24. The system of claim 23 , wherein at least two of the sensor modules are in parallel and each sensor module senses shorting when contact occurs with the electronic device on each casing that includes the respective sensor module.

25. The system of claim 23 , wherein the measuring module is an ohmmeter.

Assignments (7)
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 22, 2017
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.; NXP USA, INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 042525/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE ADD OMITTED PAGE 6 OF 22 TO THE ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040569 FRAME: 0572. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Mar 28, 2017
From: BROADCOM CORPORATION
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 042108/0597 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 3, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BROADCOM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 041712/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2016
From: BROADCOM CORPORATION
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 040569/0572 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BROADCOM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 040192/0701 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: BROADCOM CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 037806/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 28, 2011
From: ROYSTON, PHILIP STEWART
To: BROADCOM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 026516/0287 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130005243A1 · Jan 3, 2013