(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2012/0040611 A1
`
` GRIFFIN et al. (43) Pub. Date: Feb. 16, 2012
`
`
`US 20120040611A1
`
`(54) MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
`DEVICE PROVIDED ENHANCED
`SWITCHING BETWEEN ACTIVE AND
`POWER SAVING NEAR FIELD
`COMMUNICATION (NFC) MODES AND
`RELATED METHODS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`JASON TYLER GRIFFIN,
`Kitchener (CA); David Ryan
`Walker, Waterloo (CA); Vahid
`Moosavi, Kitchener (CA)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`Research In Motion Limited,
`Waterloo (CA)
`
`(21) APP1~ N05
`
`12/8563788
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 16, 2010
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H043 5/00
`(52) U S Cl
`.
`.
`(57)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`. .......................................................
`ABSTRACT
`
`455/41 1
`.
`
`A mobile wireless communications device may include a
`portable housing and a near-field communication (NFC) cir-
`cuit carried by the portable housing and being switchable
`between first NFC mode and a second NFC mode. The mobile
`wireless communications device may further include a pro-
`ces sor carried by the portable housing and coupled to the NFC
`circuit and configured to switch the NFC circuit between the
`first NFC mode and the second NFC mode at a first frequency
`based upon a first triggering event, and switch the NFC circuit
`between the first NFC mode and the second NFC mode at a
`
`second frequency lower than the first frequency based upon a
`second triggering event different than the first triggering
`event.
`
`31\
`
`/
`
`33
`
`35
`
`
`
`
`
`111 11011111.
`1151211 111111253
`(1111111111015
`
`32
`
`1112111115)
`
`111111
`
`.IRCUIT——|
`
` ° SWITCH NEE [TRENTT BETWEEN HIGHER POWER STATE
`
`111112111
`
`.
`
`POWER 51311115
`
`34
`
`9101155501
`
`~111111115 1111111111 111111 11111111 11111 11111
`1111111111111 1111111111 111111111111
`
`ARE) LOWER PDWER STATE AT FIRST PRERUENEP
`
`° SWITTN NEE (TRENT BETWEEN PRINTER POWER STATE
`AND LOWER PGWER STATE RT SETDND FREQUENCY
`BASED NPRN SECURE) INPUT PATTERN 0P INPUT
`REPKE RTPPERENT PRRN FIRST TNPNT PATTERN
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 1 of 15
`
`US 2012/0040611 A1
`
`3E}
`
`/
`
`33
`
`35
`
`NFC RROEOCOL~
`
`
`BASED WEREEESS
`
`CDMMUNECATIONS
`
`32
`
`IRROT
`
`3!l::_______
`OERECEES)
`.IRCOER——|
`
` ° SWITCH NFC CIRCUIT BETWEEN HIGHER POWER STATE
`
`REC OEEECE
`
`.
`
`POWER SOURCE
`
`34
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`«EREERRE OESEORREEO OERCE FUNCTIOR ERSER REOR
`FIIRSTMRNROEREOR RREEEEERRO IRRRIOERNE
`
`ANN LOWER PEWTER STREE AT FIRST FREQUENCY
`
`° SWITCH NEC CIRCUIT BETWEEN HIGHER INTWER STATE
`AND LOWER [NEWER STNEE NT SECOND FREQUENCY
`BASED ESPRIT SECURE) TRENT PATTERN 0E INPIII
`DEVICE NIEEERENT ERNIE FIRST INPIIT PATTERN
`
`FIG. I
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 2 of 15
`
`US 2012/0040611 A1
`
`
`
`i E}
`ROGERS
`
`
`
`38
`
`m 15:22
`
`mow T0 FOLDER
`31m;
`
`DELETE
`
`ADD FOLDER
`
`50
`
`SWEEP! APPLICATION
`
`
`
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`“II-@l
`MDV
`‘ q
`q
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3535’ Twang
`
`FOR 303
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 3 of 15
`
`US 2012/0040611 A1
`
`ROGERS
`
`3635’ Kunfll]
`
`DEVICE IS LOCKED
`
`+1 519888
`
`ENABLE NFC FOR 305
`
`QANCEL
`
`UNLOCK
`
`EMERGENCY [ALL
`
`rm. 4
`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 4 0f 15
`
`US 2012/0040611 A1
`
`3T\
`
`
`
`
`36
`NEC momm-
`33
`
`WIRELESS EMAIL
`BASED WIRELESS
`
`CELLULAR NFC-ENABLED DEVICE
`COMMUNICATIONS
`COMMUNICATIONS
`
`
`47
`
`CELLULAR
`TRANSCEIVER
`
`NFC
`CIRCUIT
`
`POWER SOURCE
`(e.g., BATTERY)
`3}}
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`‘ INITIATE DESIGNATED DEVICE EUNCTTON DASEE} UPON
`TTRST MANIFOLATEON PATTERN OT INPUT DEVICE
`
`° SWITCH NFC CIRCUIT BETWEEN HIGRER RDNTER STATE
`AND CORNER POWER STATE AT TIRSI ERECIUENCY
`
`' SWITCH NFC CIRCUIT BEINEEN HIGHER RUNNER STATE
`AND LOWER PORTER STATE AISECOND EREOIIENC‘T
`BASED OPON SECOND INPUT RARERN OE INPUT
`DEVICE DIFFERENT TRON TIRST INPUT PATTERN
`
`INPUT DEVTCE
`
`((1%,{KEYTST ACCEEEROMEEER
`AND 0 INPUT TRANSDUCER, etc I
`
`35
`
`FIG. 5
`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 5 of 15
`
`US 2012/0040611 A1
`
`6“
`
`61
`
`|!|!l FIRSTINPUTPATTERN
`
`
`OF INPUT?OEYICETSI
`
`YES
`
`INITIATE OESIGNATEO DEVICE
`FUNCTION BASED UPON FIRST INPUT
`PATTERN OF INPUT OEVICETS}
`
`SWITCH NFC CIRCUIT BETWEEN
`HIGHER POWER STATE AND LOWER
`POWER STATE AT FIRST FREQUENCY
`
`-
`
`
`SECOND INPUT PATTERN
`OF INPUT OEYICETSI
`DIFFERENT FROM FIRST
`
`
`INPUT PATTERN
`
`YES
`
`64
`
`SWITCH NFC CIRCUIT BETWEEN
`HIGHER POWER STATE AND LOWER
`POWER STATE AT SECOND FREQUENCY
`
`62
`
`63
`
`65
`
`6.6
`
`FIG. 6
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 6 of 15
`
`US 2012/0040611 A1
`
`|!l!l FIRSTINPUTRENTER?
`
`I)? INPUTpDEVICEIS
`
`“I
`
`INITIAFE DESIGNATED DEVICE FUNCIION BASED
`UPON FIRST INPUT PATTERN 0F INPIIT DEVICEISI
`
`SWITCH NFC (IRCUIT BETWEEN HIGHER POWER STATE
`AND {OWER ROWER 51mm FIRST (LOWER) FREQUENCY
`
`63'
`
`N0
`
`
`SECOND INPUT PATTERN {)F INPUT DEVICETS)
`DIFFERENT FROM FI’RST INI’UT PA'ITERN
`
`
`
`64'
`
`YES
`
`SWITEH NFC CIRCUIT BETWEEN REGRER RRWER STATE
`AND LOWER POWER STATE AT SECONB (HIGHER) FREQUENCY
`
`65’
`
`
`
`70‘
`
`N0
`
` URI. RECEIVED FROM
`
`NFC ”SMART ROSTER”
`
`
`
`PASS THROUGH URL
`
`
`
`REREHIIRN OFSECUND
`
`MANIPULATIPN PATTERN
`
`
`NMEOREPEREDR
`
`EXPIRED
`
`?
`
`72’
`
`73’
`
`FIG. 7
`
`N0
`
`66’
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 7 of 15
`
`US 2012/0040611 A1
`
`33I\
`I POWER W NFC
`
`I 36
`
`
`NFC PROTOCOL-
`BASED WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATIONS
`
`
`
`I
`
`130
`
`/
`
`132
`
`NFC DEVICE
`
`SOURCE
`
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`I34
`
`I33
`
`337
`
`
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`° SYNCHRONIZE INTERNAL TIMING
`SIGNAL TO EXTERNAL TIMING SIGNAL
`
`
`
`
`‘ CYCLE ROWER TO NFC CIRCUIT TO
`PERIODICALLY SWITCH NFC CIRCUIT
`BETWEEN PEER~TO~PEER RECOGNITION
`STATE AND LOW POWER STATE BASED
`UPON SYNCHRONIZED INTERNAL
`TIMING SIGNAL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`° INITIATE PEER-TO-I’EER NFC
`COMMUNICATIONS WITH ANOTHER
`NFC OEVICE WHEN IN RANGE
`THEREOF AND UPON BEING
`SWITCHEO TO PEER-TO-PEER
`RECOGNITION STATE THEREWITH
`
`FIG. 3
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 8 of 15
`
`US 2012/0040611 A1
`
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`
`
`
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`
`

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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 9 of 15
`
`US 2012/0040611 A1
`
`2“”
`
`SYNCHRONIZE INTERNAL TIMING
`SIGNAL TO EXTERNAL TIMING SIGNAL
`
`-
`
`20]
`
`
`
`202
`
`
`
`., 2}
`CYCLE POWER TO NFC CIRCUIT (e.
`sec.) T0 PERIODICALLY SWITCH EC
`CIRCUIT BETWEEN FEER-TO-PEER
`
`
`RECOGNITION STATE (9.
`., ACEIVE MODE)
`
`
`AND LOW POWER STA E BASED UPON
`
`SYNCHRUNIIED INTERNAL TIMING SIGNAL
`n ANOTHERNFCDEVICE
`
`203
`
`IN RgINGE
`
`YES
`
`INITIATE PEER~TO~PEER NFC
`COMMUNICATIONS WITH OTHER NFC
`DEVICE UPON REING SWITCHES) T0 PEER—
`TO-PEER RECOGNITION STATE THEREWETH
`
`
`
`204
`
`FINISH
`
`205
`
`FIG. 10
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 10 of 15
`
`US 2012/0040611 A1
`
`II
`
`FIG. H
`
`FIG. 12
`
`TiME
`
`TIME
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 11 of 15
`
`US 2012/0040611 A1
`
`330
`
`3OT
`
`MOBILE WIRELESS
`COMMNNICATTONS DEVICE
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`- swam NFC CIR£UITBE1WEEN THE
`MTEVE NFC MODEAND POWER SAVING
`NFC MODE AT Tsf FNEOUENCY BASED
`UPON A 151 TRIGGERING EVENT
`
`-
`-
`
`' SWITCH NFC CIRCUIT BETWEEN ACTIVE
`NFC MODE AND POWER SAVING NFC
`MODE AT Emf FNEONENCNr LOWER THAN
`151 FREQUENCY BASED UPON 2nd
`TRIGGERINO EVENT DIFFERENT THAN
`TstTRIGOERING EVENT
`
`'
`
`NEE (mam
`
`303
`
`302
`
`FIG. 13
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 12 of 15
`
`US 2012/0040611 A1
`
`309'
`
`\
`
`MOBILE WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE
`
`3O}r
`
`DISPLAY
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`- SWITCH NFC CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE
`ACTIVE NFC MODE AND POWER SAVING
`NFC mama IT Is: FREQUENCY BASED
`UPON 915?an SWITCHING TO
`ILLUMINATITI MODE
`
`¢ SWITCH NFC CIRCUIT BETWEEN ACTIVE
`NFC MOOE AND POWER SAVING NFC
`MODE AT 231d FREQUENCY LOWER THAN
`151 FREQUENCY BASED UPON THE
`DIPLAY SWIICHING TO NON»
`ILLUMINATED MODE
`
`NFC CIRCUIT
`
`304I
`
`303,
`
`302’
`
`FIG. T4
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 13 of 15
`
`US 2012/0040611 A1
`
`300”
`
`\
`
`30] fl‘
`
`
`MOBILE WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`392”
`
`
`
`
`NFC CIRCUIT
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`- SWITCH NFC CIRCUIT BETWEEN
`THE ACTIVE NFC MODE AND POWER
`
`SAVING NFC MODE AT Ist FREQUENCY
`
`BASED UPON INPUT FROM REV OR
`ACCELEROMETER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`303”
`
`
`
`
`
`
`' SWITCH NFC CIRCUIT BETWEEN ACTIVE
`NFC MODE AND POWER SAVING NFC
`MODE AT 2nd FREOUEN CV LOWER THAN
`Is! FREQUENCY BASED UPON EXCEEDINO
`THRESHOLD PERIOD SINCE LAST INPUT
`FROM KEV OR ACCELEROMEFER
`
`
`
`3fl5f!
`
`302”
`
`I
`
`INPUTNEVIS)
`
`ACCELEROMETER
`
`l
`
`FIG. I5
`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 14 of 15
`
`US 2012/0040611 A1
`
`350
`
`N0
`
`351
`
`352
`
`354
`
`
`
`SWITCH NFC (mam BETWEEN THE
`
`mm; NFC MODE mm POWER SAVING
`
`(3.9., PASSIVE) NFC MODE AT Ist
`
`FREQUENCY
`
`
`
`
`
`353
`
`2nd TRIGfiEgRING EVENT
`
`
`
`SWITCH NFC CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE
`ACTIVE NFC MODE AND POWER SAVING
`
`
`(AETER OPTIONAL DELAY) NFC MODE
`
`
`AT 296 FREQUENCY DIFFERENT THAN
`
`151 FREQUENCY
`
`
`FINISH
`
`355
`
`FIG. I6
`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 15 of 15
`
`US 2012/0040611 A1
`
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`|PR2020-00202
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`US 2012/0040611A1
`
`Feb. 16, 2012
`
`MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
`DEVICE PROVIDED ENHANCED
`SWITCHING BETWEEN ACTIVE AND
`POWER SAVING NEAR FIELD
`
`COMMUNICATION (NFC) MODES AND
`RELATED METHODS
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0001] This application relates to the field of communica-
`tions, and more particularly, to mobile wireless communica-
`tions devices and related methods that use Near Field Com-
`
`munication (NFC).
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002] Mobile communication systems continue to grow in
`popularity and have become an integral part of both personal
`and business communications. Various mobile devices now
`
`incorporate Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) features such as
`calendars, address books, task lists, calculators, memo and
`writing programs, media players, games, etc. These multi-
`function devices usually allow electronic mail (email) mes-
`sages to be sent and received wirelessly, as well as access the
`Internet Via a cellular network and/or a wireless local area
`
`network (WLAN), for example.
`[0003]
`Some mobile devices incorporate contactless card
`technology and/or Near Field Communication (NFC) chips.
`NFC technology is commonly used for contactless short-
`range communications based on radio frequency identifica-
`tion (RFID) standards, using magnetic field induction to
`enable communication between electronic devices, including
`mobile wireless communications devices. These short-range
`communications include payment and ticketing, electronic
`keys, identification, device set-up service and similar infor-
`mation sharing. This short-range high frequency wireless
`communications technology exchanges data between devices
`over a short distance, such as only a few centimeters.
`[0004] With NFC technology becoming more common-
`place, it is now used with portable wireless communications
`devices in association with other short-range wireless com-
`munications, such as a wireless Bluetooth connection. For
`example, an NFC connection is often used to establish or
`authenticate a wireless Bluetooth connection, which is in turn
`used for general data communications.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram ofa Near Field
`[0005]
`Communication (NFC) system in accordance with an exem-
`plary aspect providing NFC power state switching.
`[0006]
`FIG. 2 is a front view of an NFC-enabled cellular
`device which may be used in accordance with an exemplary
`aspect to implement the NFC power state switching.
`[0007]
`FIGS. 3 and 4 are exemplary screen prints which
`may be provided on the display of the device of FIG. 2 upon
`implementation of NFC power state switching.
`[0008]
`FIG. 5, is a schematic block diagram of an exem-
`plary NFC device of the system of FIG. 1 shown in greater
`detail.
`
`FIGS. 6 and 7 are flow diagrams illustrating NFC
`[0009]
`power switching method aspects associated with the system
`or devices of FIG. 1.
`
`FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative
`[0010]
`NFC system in accordance with an exemplary aspect provid-
`ing Synchronized peer-to-peer recognition features.
`
`FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram ofan exemplary
`[0011]
`NFC device of the system of FIG. 8 shown in greater detail.
`[0012]
`FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating synchronized
`NFC peer-to-peer recognition method steps associated with
`the system or devices of FIG. 8.
`[0013]
`FIGS. 11 and 12 are signal timing diagrams illus-
`trating signal synchronization operations performed by the
`devices of the system of FIG. 8.
`[0014]
`FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an exem-
`plary mobile wireless communications device providing
`enhanced NFC power saving mode switching in accordance
`with another exemplary embodiment.
`[0015]
`FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic block diagrams of
`exemplary alternative embodiments of the mobile wireless
`communications device of FIG. 13.
`
`FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating method
`[0016]
`aspects associated with the system of FIG. 13.
`[0017]
`FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram illustrating
`exemplary components of a mobile wireless communications
`device that may be used in accordance with the systems of
`FIG. 1,8, or 13.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0018] The present description is made with reference to
`the accompanying drawings,
`in which embodiments are
`shown. However, many different embodiments may be used,
`and thus the description should not be construed as limited to
`the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments
`are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and
`complete. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout,
`and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements or
`steps in alternative embodiments.
`[0019] Generally speaking, a mobile wireless communica-
`tions device is disclosed herein which may include a portable
`housing and a near-field communication (NFC) circuit car-
`ried by the portable housing and being switchable between a
`first (e.g., active) active NFC mode and a second (e.g., power
`saving) NFC mode. The mobile wireless communications
`device may further include a processor carried by the portable
`housing and coupled to the NFC circuit and configured to
`switch the NFC circuit between the active NEC mode and the
`
`power saving NFC mode at a first frequency based upon a first
`triggering event, and switch the NFC circuit between the
`active NFC mode and the power saving NFC mode at a
`second frequency lower than the first frequency based upon a
`second triggering event different than the first triggering
`event. As such, the mobile wireless communications device
`may advantageously use the active NFC mode on a continu-
`ous basis to expedite recognition and synchronization with
`other NFC devices, yet still provide power savings at appro-
`priate times based upon the second triggering event.
`[0020] More particularly, the mobile wireless communica-
`tions device may further include a display carried by the
`portable housing and coupled to the processor and being
`switchable between an illuminated mode and a non-illumi-
`
`nated mode. As such, the first triggering event may comprise
`the display switching to the illuminated mode, and the second
`triggering event may comprise the display switching to the
`non-illuminated mode. In addition, the processor may be
`further configured to switch the NFC circuit at the second
`frequency after a delay period from the display switching to
`the non-illuminated mode.
`
`Furthermore, the mobile wireless communications
`[0021]
`device may further include at least one input device carried by
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`the portable housing and coupled to the processor. As such,
`the first triggering event may comprise an input from the at
`least one input device, and the second triggering event may
`comprise exceeding a threshold period since a last input from
`the at least one input device. By way of example, the at least
`one input device may comprise at least one input key, an
`accelerometer, etc.
`[0022]
`In accordance with one example, the power saving
`NFC mode may comprise a passive NFC mode. The mobile
`wireless communications device may further comprise a
`wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing and
`coupled to the processor. Also, the processor may be further
`configured for communicating electronic mail (email) mes-
`sages.
`[0023] A related method aspect is for using a mobile wire-
`less communications device, such as the one described briefly
`above. The method may include switching the NFC circuit
`between the active NFC mode and the power saving NFC
`mode at a first frequency based upon a first triggering event,
`and switching the NFC circuit between the active NFC mode
`and the power saving NFC mode at a second frequency lower
`than the first frequency based upon a second triggering event
`different than the first triggering event.
`[0024] Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, by way of back-
`ground, NFC is a short-range wireless communications tech-
`nology in which NFC-enabled devices are “swiped,”
`“bumped” or otherwise moved in close proximity to commu-
`nicate. In one non-limiting example implementation, NFC
`may operate at 13.56 MHZ and with an effective range of
`about 10 cm, but other suitable versions of near-field com-
`munication which may have different operating frequencies,
`effective ranges, etc., for example, may also be used.
`[0025] NFC circuitry draws power when it is searching for
`other devices or contactless cards/tags in its vicinity. Because
`of privacy and security concerns, in the case of an NFC-
`enabled phone, it may be desirable that the device not always
`respond to a NFC reader that tries to charge/read the virtual
`card in the phone. Rather, it may be desirable that the NFC
`device require an action before it turns on the NFC feature and
`responds to readers. One such action is to require a password
`to be entered to activate an NFC search/recognition mode.
`However, entering a password may be inconvenient, time-
`consuming, or
`impractical
`in some circumstances. For
`example, when a user wants to pay for transit in a crowded
`subway station, it may not be practical to perform steps such
`as typing in a password, finding the NFC icon on the device,
`activating the NFC icon, etc. This problem may be exacer-
`bated ifthe phone is in a locked mode, adding yet another step
`to be performed (i.e., unlocking the device) to place the
`device in the NFC recognition mode.
`[0026] Another approach may be to have a separate or
`designated key for activating the NFC functionality. How-
`ever, the space (i.e., “real estate”) required for a separate,
`designated key to enable an NFC operational or recognition
`mode may be difficult to come by in many wireless commu-
`nications devices. That is, with the ever-increasing amount of
`functionality implemented in such devices, along with the
`competing desire for smaller form factors, allotting the nec-
`essary real estate for such a designated NFC key simply may
`not be practical. Moreover, the additional cost of providing a
`designated key on the device may also be a drawback.
`[0027]
`In accordance with a first aspect, an NFC system 30
`illustratively includes an NFC device 31 which advanta-
`geously addresses these technical problems. More particu-
`
`larly, in the example embodiment the NFC system 30 illus-
`tratively includes a plurality ofNFC devices, namely the NFC
`device 31 and a second NFC device 32. The NFC device 31
`
`illustratively includes a housing 33, a power source 34 carried
`by the housing 33, one or more input keys 35 carried by the
`housing 33 and assigned to a designated device function, and
`an NFC circuit 36 configured to wirelessly communicate
`using an NFC communications protocol. The NFC device 31
`further illustratively includes a processor 37 carried by the
`housing 33 which is coupled to the power source 34, the input
`key 35, and the NFC circuit 36. The device 32 may also
`include similar components to those described herein with
`reference to the NFC device 31, but need not in all embodi-
`ments.
`
`[0028] The NFC device 31 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5
`comprises a mobile wireless communications device (also
`referred to herein as a “mobile device”) cellular smart phone
`enabled for NFC communications by the NFC circuit 36. In
`this example embodiment, the NFC device 31 illustratively
`includes an off-hook key 40 (i.e., for initiating a phone call),
`a return key 42 for escaping a selection or navigating back
`through a menu, and an on-hook/power key 43, which may be
`used for disconnecting a phone call as for turning the NFC
`device 31 on or off by holding the key down for a designated
`period of time. As used herein, the term “key” means an input
`device that is pressed or actuated to initiate a device function
`or provide an input, including buttons, keypad keys, track-
`balls, scroll wheels, etc. It should also be noted that a display
`38 of the NFC device 31 shown in FIG. 2 may be a touch
`screen display, and in such embodiments the input keys 35
`used to initiate the NFC operations described herein may
`advantageously be touch screen keys.
`[0029] Moreover, the NFC device 31 further illustratively
`includes a cellular transceiver 45 carried by the housing 33
`and coupled to the power source 34 and the processor 37.
`Furthermore, the processor 37 may also be configured for
`communicating wireless voice and data via the cellular trans-
`ceiver 45 via a cellular communications network (represented
`as a cellular tower 47 in FIG. 5), as will be described further
`below. By way of example, the data communications may
`include email messages, as shown in FIG. 5, although other
`data (e.g., Web data, etc.) may also be communicated. Fur-
`thermore, in some embodiments the NFC device 31 may in
`addition (or instead) include other types of wireless commu-
`nications circuits capable of transmitting voice or other data,
`such as a wireless LAN, WiMAX, etc., circuit.
`[0030]
`In the present example, the input key 35 which is
`used for initiating NFC operations as described further below
`is a menu key for generating navigation menus on the display
`38. That is, the designated device function of the input (i.e.,
`menu) key 35 is generating navigation menus, and this des-
`ignated function is typically performed when the input key 35
`is depressed once. Other input devices may also be used in
`some embodiments, such as an audio input device (e.g.,
`microphone), accelerometer, etc.
`[0031] Operation of the processor 37 and the advantageous
`NFC power state switching features performed thereby will
`now be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Beginning
`at Block 60, the processor 37 is advantageously configured to
`initiate the designated device function (menu generation in
`the present example) based upon a first input or manipulation
`pattern of the input key 35, at Blocks 61-62. As noted above,
`this first manipulation pattern comprises a single actuation of
`the input key 35, although a first different actuation pattern
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`may be used in other embodiments. Moreover, a different
`input key may be selected for initiation of NFC operations,
`such as the on—hook key 43, a side convenience key desig-
`nated for a different designated device function, etc. Further-
`more, more than one such key may be designated to initiate
`the same NFC functionality.
`[0032] The processor 37 is further configured to switch the
`NFC circuit 36 between a higher power state and a lower
`power state at a first frequency, at Block 63. More particu-
`larly, this operation would correspond to a typical low power
`mode as specified by the above-described NFC standard
`materials, in which the NFC circuit 36 cycles on (high power)
`and off (low power), usually every three seconds. Such power
`cycling is advantageous because in the high power state, the
`NFC circuit 36 is configured to generate a radio frequency
`(RF) field to initiate NFC communications with the other
`NFC device 32. To leave this field on continuously in the NFC
`device 31 where the power source 34 is a battery (as seen in
`the more detailed view of the NFC device 31 illustrated in
`
`FIG. 5) would deplete the battery at an undesirable rate,
`which is why the low power recognition mode may be used.
`[0033] Yet, a difiicultly with the standard low power mode
`is that three seconds is a relatively long time in terms of NFC
`communications to wait for device recognition to occur, and
`may not be practical for some applications which require
`relatively quick acquisition and recognition. Thus, in some
`embodiments, the processor 37 may also advantageously be
`configured to switch the NFC circuit 36 between the higher
`power state and the lower power state at a second frequency
`different
`than the first frequency based upon a second
`manipulation pattern of the input key 35 different from the
`first manipulation pattern, at Blocks 64-65, thus concluding
`the method illustrated in FIG. 6 (Block 66).
`[0034] By way of example, the second manipulation pat-
`tern may include multiple (e.g., two) actuations or pressings
`of the input key 35 in succession, i.e., within a threshold
`period or window oftime (e.g., one second or less). Moreover,
`the second frequency may be faster than the first frequency,
`e.g., about one second (or less), which is three times faster
`than the above-noted first frequency of three seconds. How-
`ever, in different embodiments the first and second frequen-
`cies may take other values besides those example values set
`forth herein. As such, the NFC device 31 advantageously
`provides desired NFC device recognition without undue
`delay, yet while still maintaining power savings from low-
`power operation.
`[0035] The processor 37 may be further advantageously
`configured to switch the NFC circuit 36 from the second
`frequency back to the first frequency based on a repetition of
`the second manipulation pattern of the input key 35, at Block
`72' (FIG. 7). For example, it may be desirable to switch the
`NFC device 31 to the second frequency when approaching an
`NFC tag/reader (e.g., a subway or ticket kiosk, etc.) and quick
`recognition is required, but to switch back when no longer in
`proximity of the NFC tag/reader to save power, as well as for
`security reasons.
`[003 6]
`In this regard, when the second manipulation pattern
`occurs and power is cycled to the NFC circuit 36 at the second
`frequency, this may indicate to the processor 37 that the NFC
`device 31 is in proximate to a trusted NFC device, and there-
`fore the processor 37 may temporarily lessen security
`requirements when authorizing and communicating with the
`trusted NFC device. For example, the processor 37 may pro-
`ceed directly to communicate with the trusted NFC device,
`
`and in the case of a “smart poster” NFC device, such as one
`configured to pass a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), the
`processor 37 may automatically direct a browser application
`thereof to the URL without prompting for permission to pro-
`ceed to the designated location, at Blocks 70'-71'.
`[0037]
`For the same reasons, the processor 37 may be con-
`figured to switch the NFC circuit 36 from the second fre-
`quency back to the first frequency after a timeout period, at
`Block 73'. In other words, the processor 37 may perform an
`automatic switching back to the first frequency based upon
`the timeout condition, in addition to, or instead of, the manual
`switch back described above (i.e., resulting from the second
`manipulation pattern being initiated again).
`[0038] Example menus 50, 51 that may be generated by the
`input (i.e., menu) key 35 are respectively shown in FIGS. 3
`and 4. More particularly, the menu 50 is generated by the
`processor 37 when the NFC device 3 1 is in a normal operating
`mode and the input key 35 is actuated. In some embodiments,
`if the display 38 is not illuminated, a first actuation may
`initially illuminate the display, and a subsequent actuation
`may then generate the menu 50. The menu options provided
`by the processor 37 in the menu 50 may vary depending upon
`the various operations being performed by the device (e.g.,
`the menu generated on a “home” screen will be different than
`the one generated while an email application is open, etc.). In
`the illustrated example, upon initiation of the first manipula-
`tion pattern the menu 50 includes the following options:
`move, move to folder, hide, delete, add folder, and switch
`application. So, in the present example, the menu 50 would be
`displayed upon a first actuation or pressing of the input key
`35.
`
`[0039] However, when the second manipulation pattern of
`the input key 35 is detected, i.e., a double tap or second
`actuation/pressing of the input key 35, then the processor 37
`causes switching ofthe NFC circuit 36 based upon the second
`frequency, which is indicated by an arrow extending from the
`menu 50 and notation that this NFC operational mode has
`been enabled for thirty seconds. However, it should be noted
`that other timeout periods greater or lesser than thirty seconds
`may be used in some embodiments (e.g., one minute, two
`minutes, etc.), and in other embodiments the timeout period
`may not be used at all.
`[0040] Turning to the menu 51, here the processor 37 gen-
`erates a menu on the display 38 for enabling initiation ofNFC
`device recognition and communications with the other NFC
`device 32 upon detection thereof from a “locked” device
`mode. That is, the menu 51 is generated from the locked
`mode, meaning that the keypad (whether touch screen or
`individual buttons) or other convenience keys are disabled by
`the processor 37. In some locked modes, the display 38 may
`be changed to a default image as well (e.g., a blank screen
`with only a background color/image and no icons). In this
`case, the menu 51 generated by the processor 37 may advan-
`tageously be different than the menu 50, since there is a
`relatively small selection ofoperations that may be performed
`from the locked mode. So, when in the locked mode and the
`input key 35 is actuated once, the menu 51 is displayed and
`illustratively includes the following options: enable NFC for
`thirty seconds; unlock; emergency call; and cancel. The
`“enable NFC for 30 s” option is highlighted so that upon a
`second actuation of the input key 35 this option is automati-
`cally selected, again causing the processor 37 to implement
`switching at the second frequency. While this menu option
`may also be selected directly on the touch screen display 38,
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`a second actuation of the input key 35 typically may be
`performed much easier and faster.
`[0041] The NEC device 31 therefore advantageously pro-
`vides a relatively convenient and consistent way of enabling
`the NEC circuit 36 for a short period of time, which may be
`particularly helpful for applications with relatively low secu-
`rity requirements, or for relatively low-value payment trans-
`actions. The above-described implementation further advan-
`tageously utilizes an existing i