Patent Application
20090207893
This invention relates generally to converters, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for converting near field protocol communication signals to communication signals having other protocols.
Mobile devices such as cellular telephones, portable media players, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), personal communicators, handheld game consoles, mobile PCs, handheld televisions, laptop computers, and the like are expected to perform their intended functions as well as additional non-traditional functions including high frequency (HF) communication functions. HF communication functions include contactless chipcard functions such as ticketing, payment, and the like. These additional functions are implemented using near field communication (NFC) technology.
NFC technology is a short-range wireless connectivity technology that enables simple and safe two-way interactions among electronic devices, allowing consumers to perform contactless transactions, access digital content and connect electronic devices. In other words, NFC technology enables contactless, bi-directional communication between devices. These devices can be NFC-equipped mobile phones, computers, consumer electronics, cards, tags, signs, posters, washing machines, and the like. An NFC technology enabled device can operate in reader/writer, peer-to-peer, or card emulation mode.
NFC technology is a contactless technology in the 13.56 MHz frequency band. ISO 14443 standard is a key building block for much of the near field operations. NFC technology is generally compatible with at least the ISO 14443 Type A and B standards. The components of an NFC session include initiators and targets. The initiator is the device that begins and manages the communication and exchange of data. The target responds to requests from the initiator. A feature of NFC technology is that devices can act as either an initiator or a target.
NFC technology requires a dedicated HF chip set and antenna to be designed into the mobile device. It should be noted that the dedicated HF chip set and antenna are not easily added to mobile devices due to the material of the mobile device, e.g., aluminum or titanium, because different materials used in the mobile device affect the reception and transmission of HF signals. Additionally, there is limited availability or selection of a specific chip set because HF chip sets are not standard. In other words, each HF chip set has discrete pinning and logical access.
A high frequency (HF) converter for a mobile device, having an input device configured to receive a first signal including data in accordance with a standard, non-HF communication protocol or in accordance with an HF communication protocol; a converter device coupled to the input device, the converter device configured to convert the first signal to a second signal including the data in accordance with the other of the HF communication protocol and the standard, non-HF communication protocol; and an output device configured to transmit the second signal.
Disclosed is a high frequency (HF) converter for a mobile device that is not capable of HF communications, only standard, non-HF communication protocols. In particular, the HF converter for a mobile device includes a converter that can convert standard, non-HF protocol signals such as UHF, Bluetooth, IR, wired connection, wireless LAN, WiFi, WiMax, an IEEE 802 protocol signal, or the like, to HF protocol signals and preferably, to an HF signal in accordance with the ISO 14443 standard. The disclosed HF converter is configured to communicate via a standard, non-HF protocol so that an associated mobile device can communicate with HF devices. The HF converter is preferably external to the mobile device. In this manner, the housing material of the mobile device will not affect the HF communications. Additionally, because the HF converter is a discrete device, in one embodiment it is designed to accept multiple HF chip sets, either using different printed circuit (PC) boards or adaptive PC boards.
A device 30 communicates via a second communication protocol 60. The second communication protocol 60 can be a standard, non-HF communication protocol like a UHF connection such as Bluetooth, or may alternatively be an IR communication protocol, a wired connection, a wireless LAN connection, a WiFi connection, Vmax, or the like. Since device 30 and device 10 communicate via different communication protocols, they are unable to communicate directly, but instead must communication via converter 40.
Device 30 communicates with converter 40 via the second communication protocol 60, and communicates with device 10 via the first communication protocol 50. Converter 40 is adapted to receive signals from device 10 via the first communication protocol 50, convert the received signals to the second communication protocol 60, and retransmit the converted signals to device 30 via the first communication protocol 50. Conversely, converter 40 can receive signals from device 30 via the second communication protocol 60, convert the received signals to the first communication protocol 50, and retransmit the converted signals to device 10.
In order to support the converter 40, software running on device 30 is updated so that the device 30 is able to transmit and receive signals via the second communication protocol 60 that can be converted to the first communication protocol 50. For example, software on device 30 can be updated so that device 30 can receive and transmit a signal via a Bluetooth connection to converter 40, which can convert the Bluetooth signal to an NFC signal such that ISO 14443 compatible device 10 can use the converted signal for point of sale purchasing, and the like. This software can be pushed to device 30 from a central location such as a cellular telephone software update, downloaded and installed, installed with an operating system update, or the like. Alternatively, the converter 40 may be adapted to provide software updates.
It should be appreciated that although the communication system 100 of
The ISO 14443 compatible reader 210 is adapted to communicate via a first communication protocol 250. In a preferred embodiment, the first communication protocol 250 is an HF connection such as an ISO 14443 type A or B connection. The first device 220 is adapted to communicate with the ISO 14443 compatible reader 210 via the first communication protocol 250 directly. Second device 230 is a mobile device that does not have the capability of communicating via first communication protocol 250. Rather, second device 230 communicates using a second communication protocol 260, which may be a UHF connection such as Bluetooth, WiFi, IR, an IEEE 802 protocol signal, or the like. Second device 230 is able to communicate with a device such as headset 240, which acts as a converter between second device 230 and ISO 14443 compatible reader 210.
Headset 240 is depicted as a Bluetooth headset. The Bluetooth headset (converter) 240 is adapted to receive communication signals from the ISO 14443 compatible reader 210 via the first communication protocol 250, convert the received signals to the second communication protocol 260, which is preferably a Bluetooth signal, and transmit the converted signals to linked second device 230. Conversely, the headset 240 is also able to receive signals from second device 230 via the second communication protocol 260, and convert the received signals so that they can be transmitted to and read by ISO 14443 compatible reader 210 via the first communication protocol 250. It should be noted that while headset 240 is shown as a Bluetooth headset, any device such as a contactless card 270, fob, or the like, can be adapted to be a converter. As shown, device 280, like device 230, communicates with by ISO 14443 compatible reader 210 via a contactless card 270, which acts as a converter.
For the second device 230 to communicate with an HF compatible device such as ISO 14443 compatible reader 210, communication software may be required. Such software would provide second device 230 with the capability of engaging in HF communication by providing the expected signal via the Bluetooth or second communication protocol 260 to headset 240. Headset 240, which includes a converter, would then convert those signals to first communication protocol 250, which is preferably an HF communication protocol for transmission to the ISO 14443 compatible reader 210. It should be noted that the software would provide second device 230 with an appropriate instruction set for HF communication, although those instructions will be transmitted initially via a non-HF communication protocol. In this manner, devices do not require hardware to engage in HF communications.
According to an embodiment of the invention, an HF analog interface 347 is coupled to inductive loop HF antenna 348. The HF analog interface 347 provides signals to, and receives signals from, a logic portion 345 of the HF converter 346. The logic portion 345 of HF converter 346 includes a CODEC and protocol converter. The logic portion of the HF converter 346 performs the conversion between the HF and UHF protocols. It should be noted that HF converter 346 can be implemented using discrete circuitry or via software on a microprocessor. The logic portion 345 is coupled to a UHF analog interface 344. UHF analog interface 344 provides signals to and receives signals from the logic portion 345. Additionally, UHF analog interface 344 is coupled to UHF antenna 343. UHF analog interface 344 receives signals from and provides signals to the UHF antenna 343.
UHF analog interface 410 includes a demodulator 412, a clock recovery module 414, and a modulator 416. In one embodiment, as discussed above, the UHF analog interface includes an energy supply 464. The UHF analog interface is coupled to UHF antenna 343. The clock recovery module 414 provides a clock signal for modulator 416 and demodulator 412.
UHF digital interface 420 includes, among other elements, a decoder 422, a framing module 424B, a deframing module 424A, and an encoder 426. The HF digital interface 430 includes a decoder 432, framing module 434B, a deframing module 434A, and an encoder 436. Finally, HF analog interface 440 includes a demodulator 442, clock recovery module 444, and modulator 446. In one embodiment, the HF analog interface 440 includes an energy supply 462.
In operation, the UHF antenna 343 receives a UHF signal. Demodulator 412, in accordance with a clock from clock recovery module 414, demodulates this UHF signal. The demodulated signal is presented to decoder 422, which decodes the signal. The decoded signal is then deframed by deframing module 424. The processed signal undergoes protocol conversion under the control of logic portion 450. It should be noted that logic portion 450 also performs interface control of the HF converter. After the conversion by logic portion 450, the signal is processed by the HF digital interface 430. Here, the signal is framed by framing module 434B and encoded by encoder 436. The encoded signal is then modulated by modulator 446 in accordance with a clock signal from clock recovery module 444, and transmitted via the inductive loop HF antenna 348.
Signals received by the inductive loop HF antenna 348 are presented to demodulator 442. These signals are demodulated in accordance with a clock signal from clock recovery module 444. The demodulated signals are then decoded by decoder 432 and deframed by deframing module 434A. These deframed signals are then processed by logic portion 450 where protocol conversion takes place. It should be noted that logic portion 450 can be implemented using discrete components or in software. The protocol converted signal is then presented to framing module 424B where the signal is framed and then encoded by encoder 426. The encoded signal is then modulated by modulated 416 in accordance with a clock signal from clock recovery module 414 for transmission via UHF antenna 343. It should be noted that the HF converter can act in a passive mode i.e., a card emulation mode, or an active mode, i.e., a reader mode.
Referring now to
While the method above was described with respect to
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
