IP Library Granted Patent US 9,742,470
Granted Patent B2
US 9,742,470 · App. 14/954,193 · Granted Aug 22, 2017

Device for authenticating wanted NFC interactions

Inventor: Philip Stewart Royston (Berkshire, GB)
Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
H04B5/0031H04B5/0043H04B5/0075H04B17/101H04L63/061H04W12/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,742,470
App. No.
14/954,193
Granted
Aug 22, 2017
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 (44)

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a near-field communication (NFC) device configured to:

activate in response to an input signal generated by user contact with the electronic device and the input signal is above a predefined threshold; and

deactivate when the input signal falls below the predefined threshold, wherein communication between the NFC device and a second NFC device occurs only when the NFC device is activated in response to the input signal generated by the user contact; and

a measuring module configured to measure when the input signal reaches above and below the predefined threshold.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to sense the input signal generated by the user contact with the electronic device.

3. The electronic device of claim 2 , further comprising a casing, wherein the casing includes the sensor.

4. The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein the sensor comprises an oscillating circuit having a capacitor that changes capacitance in response to the user contact, wherein the user contact is detected when a frequency of the oscillating circuit causes the input signal to be above the predefined threshold.

5. The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein the sensor further comprises an oscillating circuit configured to sense the input signal; and

wherein the measuring module further comprising a frequency detection module configured to measure strength of the input signal sensed using the oscillating circuit.

6. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the sensor is a resonance device comprising conductive ink.

7. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the sensor is a resonance device comprising a printed circuit board (PCB).

8. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor configured to sense the input signal; and

wherein the measuring module includes a resistor configured to measure strength of the input signal.

9. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the sensor module includes a conductive surface; and

further comprising a receiver frequency circuit configured to measure strength of a signal measured using the conductive surface, wherein strength of the signal above a predefined threshold corresponds to the input signal that activates the NFC.

10. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a light source configured to emit light; and

a photodetector configured to measure rate of reflection of the emitted light, wherein the rate of reflection corresponds to the input signal that activates the NFC.

11. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:

an antenna module configured to issue a signal; and

the measuring module configured to measure change in frequency of the signal emitted by the antenna module, wherein the change in frequency corresponds to the input signal that activates the NFC.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the measuring module is configured to measure strength of the input signal, and wherein the measuring module is an ohmmeter.

13. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

activating an NFC device included in an electronic device, in response to an input signal generated by user contact with the electronic device reaching a predefined threshold; and

deactivating the NFC device when the input signal falls below the predefined threshold, wherein communication between the NFC device and a second NFC device occurs only when the NFC device is activated in response to the input signal generated by the user contact; and

measuring when the input signal reaches above and below the predefined threshold.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

sensing the input signal generated by the user contact with the electronic device.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein sensing the input signal further comprises:

sensing a change in capacitance of a tuning element included in the electronic device, wherein increase in the capacitance indicates user contact with the electronic device.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein sensing the input signal further comprises:

sensing pressure exerted on a pressure sensor included in a casing of the electronic device.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein sensing the input signal further comprises sensing light emitted from a light source included in the electronic device; and

further comprising measuring rate of reflection of the sensed light, wherein the rate of reflection corresponds to the input signal that activates the electronic device.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

measuring when the strength of the input signal generated by the user contact reaches above the predefined threshold.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform operations comprising:

activating an NFC device included in the electronic device, in response to an input signal generated by user contact with the electronic device reaching a predefined threshold; and

deactivating the NFC device when the input signal falls below the predefined threshold, wherein communication between the NFC device and a second NFC device occurs only when the NFC device is activated in response to the input signal generated by the user contact; and

a measuring module configured to measure when the input signal reaches above and below the predefined threshold.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19 , further comprising:

sensing the input signal generated by the user contact with the electronic device; and

measuring strength of the input signal, wherein the measuring determines when the input signal is above the predefined threshold.

Assignments (4)
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 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2016
From: BROADCOM CORPORATION
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 040569/0572 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 2, 2015
From: ROYSTON, PHILIP STEWART
To: BROADCOM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 037186/0047 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 13171023 · Jun 28, 2011
Related Publication 20160087682A1 · Mar 24, 2016