The present disclosure relates to initiating a function in an electronic device and more particularly to initiating, by a tag device that is coupled to the electronic device, the function in the electronic device.
Modern day electronic devices perform many useful functions, but these devices are operated when the device is within a user's grasp. In order to initiate a function in the device, such as turning it on or off, a user has to be close enough to physically contact the device. If the user cannot physically contact the device because, for example, the device is misplaced, the user cannot turn the device on or off. Further, electronic devices have many different configurations, settings and applications. In order to change these settings, a user has to physically manipulate the device.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed embodiments, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, the description and drawings do not necessarily require the order illustrated. It will be further appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required.
The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
Generally speaking, pursuant to the various embodiments, the present disclosure provides for a method, performed by a tag device that is coupled to an electronic device, for initiating a function in the electronic device. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a signal from an interrogator device, and determining from the signal to initiate a function in the electronic device. The method also includes signaling the electronic device to initiate the function.
In another implementation a tag device includes a signal reception and processing element configured to receive a signal from an interrogator device and determine from the signal to initiate a function in an external electronic device. A representative tag device also includes a control element coupled to the signal reception and processing element. The control element is configured to signal the electronic device to initiate the function.
In accordance with yet another embodiment is a method performed by an interrogator device for controlling a function in an electronic device. The method includes determining, from the tag device coupled to an electronic device, a status for the electronic device. One embodiment includes sending a signal to the tag device to control a function in the electronic device based on the status for the electronic device.
If an electronic device is coupled with a tag device that is configured in accordance with the present teachings, a user having such an interrogator device is able to remotely discover and initiate a function in the electronic device. One example function is turning on the electronic device when it is currently off. In other examples other functions are initiated in the electronic device. In one scenario, one or more different functions are initiated in the electronic device where the number and type of function is dependent on a distance between the tag device and the interrogator device. In still another instance, the tag device is configured to update one or more settings in the electronic device.
Referring to the drawings, and in particular to
In one embodiment, the interrogator device 102 and the tag device 104 communicate using short range communications, such as, radio frequency identification (RFID) standards. Passive ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID communications illustratively operate within the range of 1-100 meters, while other forms of wideband RFID successfully operates at ranges of up to 200 meters. In one embodiment the interrogator 102 and tag device 104 are compatible with RFID standards including International Organization for Standardization (ISO) class 0-5, Electronic Product Code (EPC) Generation 2, or another EPCglobal, or other RFID standard. In still another embodiment, the interrogator device 102 and the tag device 104 are configured to communicate using a proprietary RFID standard.
In some example RFID systems the interrogator device 102 transmits a signal and the tag device 104 harvests energy from the signal and uses the received signal to respond using backscattering. One way to understand backscattering is that current flowing from a transmitting antenna 120 of the interrogator device 102 causes an induced voltage on a receiving antenna 122 of the tag device 104. If the receiving antenna 122 is connected to a load, a current is induced on the receiving antenna 122. The current induced on the receiving antenna 122 is then used to radiate a return signal. The radiated return signal is a backscatter signal detectable by the interrogator device 102. A load generating device, such as a transistor, applies a load to the transmitted backscatter signal to modulate the signal. In this manner, the tag device 104 communicates signals containing data to the interrogator using the backscatter signal.
In this example the tag device 104 is described as using a backscatter signal to communicate with the interrogator device 102. The teachings herein are not limited to communications between the tag device 104 and the interrogator device 102 using just backscattering. In other embodiments the tag device 104 and the interrogator device 102 use inductive coupling, capacitive coupling or any other method of wireless RFID to communicate.
Looking closer now at elements of a representative tag device 104. A representative tag device 104 has a signal reception and processing element (SRPE) 108 which is coupled to a control element 116. The SRPE 108 includes an energy harvesting (EH) rectifier 110 coupled to a processor 112. The processor 112, in one example, is an RFID core processor configured to perform RFID protocol signaling and media access control (MAC) layer functions to maintain a wireless link with the interrogator 102. The processor 112 updates a memory element 118 and interacts with the control element 116. The EH rectifier 110 is configured to extract energy from signals received from the interrogator 102 to power at least some functions and components of the tag device 104. In one instantiation, the EH rectifier 110 indicates to the control element 116 when a level of the extracted energy is reached that is sufficient to signal the electronic device 106 to initiate a function. A representative EH rectifier 110 supplies power to the processor 112, the control element 116, and the memory element 118.
Tag devices vary in their use of a battery 114 as a source of power. If the tag device 104 is passive, it relies entirely on the interrogator 102 as a source of power. A semi-passive tag device 104 uses the internal battery 114 to power its circuits and uses harvested energy to perform wireless transmissions. An active tag device 104
In one embodiment, the control element 116 is configured to initiate function(s) in the electronic device 106 by communicating signals on an output pin using, for example, the Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) computer bus protocol or an analog signaling protocol. The analog signals illustratively include data as to which function the electronic device 106 should initiate as well as other information which will be described in relation to the following figures. Further, via these signals the control element 116 and the electronic device 106 are configured to exchange information that is stored in memory 118. In another embodiment, the tag device 104 is not coupled to the electronic device 106 and the control element 116 communicates with the electronic device 106 using a wireless signal, such as RFID, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, or some other short range signaling technique. The EH rectifier 110 harvests energy from the wireless signal and transforms this signal from alternating current to direct current and communicates this transformed signal to the control element 116. Based on this transformed signal, the control element 116 determines whether to initiate a function in the electronic device 106. A representative control element 116 is implemented using a microcontroller.
The memory element 118 is at least one of: a volatile memory element, such as random access memory (RAM); or non-volatile memory element, such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or a Flash memory. In an embodiment, the processor 112 and/or the control element 116 stores data in the memory element 118. In some embodiments, the memory element 118 is integrated with the processor 112 into a single component. However, such a single component still usually has distinct portions/sections that perform the different processing and memory functions.
The memory element 118 is divided into one or more partitions each configured to store a different type of information. The memory element 118 stores data generally related to device information, status, and control associated with various components and operations of the system 100. Three specific pieces of information the memory element 118 is configured to store include a feedback indication, a status indication, and a control indication. The feedback indication signifies whether a level of extracted energy is sufficient to initiate a function in the electronic device 106. The status indication signifies whether the electronic device 106 is at least one of powered on or powered off. The control indication signifies whether the electronic device 106 should be turned on, turned off, or configured in a particular way. Illustratively the memory 118 is also configured to store device information of the electronic device 106, such as a device name, Internet Protocol address, a device type (e.g., Smartphone, printer, door, etc.) and the like.
The interrogator 102 performs functions of an RFID interrogator. As such, the interrogator 102 is configured to emit wireless signals in compliance with one or more RFID standards. In some RFID systems the interrogator is an electronic device dedicated to performing RFID operations. The teachings disclosed herein, however, are not limited to an interrogator dedicated to RFID operations. The interrogator 102 is adaptable to be a component of an electronic device capable of performing other operations unrelated to RFID. In one example, the interrogator 102 is implemented as a subsystem on an electronic device such as a cellular phone, Smartphone, a phablet, a tablet, a camera, a media player, or a wearable device akin to a smart watch or smart glasses, and the like. Configured in such a manner the interrogator performs RFID communications as well as operates as a cell phone, Smartphone, phablet, and so on.
The control element 216 of
The EH rectifier 110 is illustratively configured to communicate an analog signal to the switch 222 where the analog signal represents an amount of energy extracted from the wireless signal that the interrogator 102 sends to the tag device 104. If the level of extracted energy exceeds a threshold amount, the switch 222 is activated. Activation of the switch illustratively results in the analog signal being propagated to the electronic device 106 and initiation of a function within the electronic device 106. Accordingly, the switch 222 is configured to signal the electronic device 106 to initiate the function when the level of the energy exceeds a threshold amount.
In some examples, the control element 216 is provided with a microcontroller in place of the switch 222. The microcontroller receives the analog signal from the EH rectifier 110 and based on the signal level, the microcontroller communicates a variety of signals to the electronic device 106 via the I/O component 224. In yet another embodiment, the I/O component 224 is implemented as a microcontroller. A microcontroller in such an embodiment receives the signal from the switch and based on the signal level, the microcontroller sends an assortment of different signals to initiate different functions within the electronic device 106. In yet another embodiment, the control element 216 includes a microcontroller (not pictured) configured to perform the functions of both the switch 222 and the I/O component 216.
The tag device 204 illustrated in
Although, the memory 118 of
The interrogator device 102 communicates messages to the tag device 104, the electronic device 106 as well as displays messages to a user. As such, the interrogator 102 is configured with internal components to support this variety of messaging.
As
As included within the interrogator device 102, the wireless transceiver 308 particularly includes a short range transceiver 324 and a cellular transceiver 326. The short range transceiver 324 is configured to communicate with a tag device using one or more RFID standards previously mentioned in connection with the
The output components 310 include: one or more visual output components such as a liquid crystal display and/or light emitting diode indicator; one or more audio output components such as a speaker, alarm, and/or buzzer; and one or more mechanical output components such as a vibrating mechanism. One or more of the output components 310, such as the liquid crystal display, light emitting diode and/or the speaker, are used to communicate messages to a user operating the interrogator device 102. Such messages include, for example, messages concerning the state of the electronic device 306 as well as messages concerning operations of the interrogator 102 in relation to the tag device 304 and the electronic device 306.
The device interface 312 includes a user interface which enables a human to interact with the interrogator device 102. In one example scenario, the device interface 312 enables a person to configure components of the interrogator 102, such as the memory 320, with information pertaining to operations in accordance with the disclosed teachings.
In this embodiment, the internal components also include a power supply 316, such as a battery, for providing power to the other internal components while enabling the interrogator 102 to be portable. Further, the internal components additionally are configured with input components 318 including imaging apparatus that illustratively includes a visual input; one or more acoustic or audio input components such as one or more transducers (e.g., microphones), including for example a microphone array and beamformer arrangement or a microphone of a Bluetooth headset; and one or more mechanical input components such as a touchscreen display, a flip sensor, keyboard, keypad selection button, and/or switch. The input components 318 enable a user to input information into the interrogator device 102.
One or more processor(s) 314 (e.g., a microprocessor, microcomputer, application-specific integrated circuit, digital signal processor (DSP), etc.) are configured to perform RFID communications with one or more tag devices, such as tag device 304. The processor(s) 314 are also configured to communicate information to the output components 310 to display to a user operating the interrogator 102. Further, the processor(s) 314 are configured to update memory 320 with information pertaining to functions of the interrogator device 102.
The memory 320 encompasses, in some embodiments, one or more memory elements of any of a variety of forms, for example read-only memory, random access memory, static random access memory, dynamic random access memory, etc. The memory 320 stores data that includes, but need not be limited to, operating systems, programs (applications), and informational data used in performing operations of the interrogator device 102.
The short range transceiver 324 of the interrogator 102 is configured to communicate RFID messaging to the tag device 104. As part of this interaction with the tag device 104 the interrogator 102 is configured to manipulate data within the memory 118 of the tag device 104 and/or communicate a signal to the tag device 104. The tag device 104 is configured to respond to the signal using backscattering which is illustratively modulated to communicate a variety of data to the interrogator 102. In this manner the interrogator 102 and the tag device 104 are able to exchange a sequence of messages.
Looking more closely at the message sequence chart 400 of
Once the tag device 104 determines to initiate a function in the electronic device 106, the tag device 104 is configured to send signal 404 to the electronic device 106 in order to initiate the function. In one scenario, the tag device 104 signals the electronic device 106 to at least one of power on or off. In another example scenario, the tag device 104 signals the electronic device 106 to lock or unlock the electronic device 106. Some scenarios include the tag device 104 communicating a signal to the electronic device 106 to modify content stored within the electronic device 106. For example, the tag device 104 signals the electronic device 106 to modify content stored on a hard drive, in volatile memory or in boot parameters of the electronic device 106. In still another scenario, the tag device 104 signals the electronic device 106 to change a setting of the electronic device 106. For example, when the tag device 104 signals the electronic device 106 to power on, the tag device 104 also signals the electronic device 106 to change the language setting to a preferred language. In other examples, the changed setting includes such things as a font setting, screen brightness, input sensitivity, and the like.
In the embodiment illustrated in
If the interrogator 102 is too far away from the tag device 104, the tag device 104 receives a signal that is too weak to initiate a function in the electronic device 106. In this circumstance, a representative tag device 104 is configured to store a status flag or feedback indication in memory 118 noting that the tag device 104 does not have enough energy to initiate a function in the electronic device 106. In one example scenario, the tag device 104 communicates this information to the interrogator 102 via backscattering without prompting from the interrogator 102. In another scenario, the interrogator 102 is configured to read the contents of the memory 118 to determine whether the tag device 104 has enough energy to initiate a function in the electronic device 106. In either circumstance, the tag device 104 provides 406 an indication of the level of the signal as feedback to the interrogator device 102. If the feedback indicates that there is not enough energy to initiate a function within the electronic device 106, the interrogator 102 is configured to set the control flag or control indication in memory 118 so that the tag device 104 initiates the function when it has harvested enough energy.
When the electronic device 106 changes states, such as turning on, turning off, transitioning into a sleep mode, etc., the tag device 104 is configured to receive 408 a status indication from the electronic device 106 noting this change in state. The tag device 104 is configured to then provide 410 the status indication to the interrogator device 102. In one example scenario, the interrogator device 102 receives the status indication and communicates the status to a user operating the interrogator device 102. If the status indication indicates that the electronic device 106 is off, the user has the option of initiating a signal from the interrogator device 102 to turn on the electronic device 106. In this case, the signal that the tag device 104 receives from the interrogator device 102 is received in response to providing the status indication to the interrogator 102 and/or tag 104.
As previously described, the level of the signal and thus the amount of energy extracted from the signal varies depending on the distance between the interrogator device 102 and the tag device 104. Some tag devices are configured to initialize a different function in the electronic device 106 depending on the signal strength that the tag device 104 receives. The control element 116 of the tag device 104 illustratively compares the signal level with at least one threshold of a plurality of thresholds. Depending on the result of this comparison, the control element 116 is configured to initiate one of a plurality of different functions in the electronic device depending on a level of the signal from the interrogator device 102.
If the signal level SL exceeds at least one threshold (T1, T2, T3), the tag device 104 determines 510 a highest threshold of the plurality of thresholds (T1, T2, T3) that
If SL is greater than T2 but not greater than T1, the tag device 104 unlocks the electronic device 106, or turns on a light within a room, for example. The tag device 104 illustratively performs further functions such as, starting an application on the electronic device 106 or turning on a projector within the room when the signal level SL is greater than the threshold T2. The functions that the tag device 104 initiates when SL is greater than T3 and T2 are not limited by the examples disclosed herein.
In other examples other functions are initiated when one or more of the thresholds (T1, T2, T3) is exceeded. The functions initiated in the electronic device 106 vary depending on how the tag device 104 is configured to interoperate with the electronic device 106. For example, if the electronic device 106 is a media player, the tag device 104 initiates the function of tuning to a radio station when one or more of the plurality of thresholds (T1, T2, T3) is exceeded. In another example scenario, the tag device 104 starts various applications, such as a word processor, a drawing tool, and/or a spreadsheet when the electronic device 106 is a work computer and one or more of the thresholds (T1, T2, T3) are exceeded. Although three thresholds (T1, T2, T3) were used in this example, in other examples more or fewer thresholds are applied. Still further, in other scenarios, different functions than those described are performed and the ordering of the comparison of each of the thresholds differs.
In one embodiment, the memory 118 of tag device 104 includes a configurable parameter designating which applications should be started when the signal level exceeds a certain threshold. For example, the status indication, control flag, control indication or another variable includes information concerning which application should be started on the electronic device 106 depending on which threshold is exceeded. In one scenario, a user operates the interrogator 102 to update this variable in memory. In another example scenario these variables are configured during a manufacturing process and this information remains static.
In some embodiments, access to the electronic device 106 or functions of the electronic device 106 is restricted. For such a case, the memory 118 is configured to include a shared secret key. When the interrogator 102 attempts to initiate a function, such as unlock the electronic device 106, the tag device 104 prompts the interrogator 102 for the shared secret key. The tag device 104 only initiates the function in the electronic device 106 if the interrogator 102 provides the correct key. For example, if the interrogator 102 attempts to unlock a door, the tag device 104 prompts the interrogator 102 for the shared secret key and only unlocks the door if the interrogator 102 is able to produce the shared secret key. In this manner, the tag device 104 is configured to control the interrogator's 102 access to the electronic device 106.
Turning now to
In one example scenario, the tag device 104 communicates a status of “off” to the interrogator 102, the interrogator 102 determines that the electronic device 106 is off and communicates a signal to turn on the electronic device 106. The interrogator 102 is illustratively programmed to communicate this signal automatically, or a message is displayed to a user indicating the status of the electronic device 106 and the user initiates the sending of the signal to control the function in the electronic device 106. In a similar manner, the interrogator 102 is configured to send a signal to lock or unlock the electronic device 106.
In one instance, the interrogator 102 signals the tag device 104 to update contents of the electronic device 106. This includes, for example, updating a local hard drive of the electronic device 106, or updating other volatile or non-volatile memory of the electronic device 106. The interrogator 102 is also configured to update via the tag device 104, a device setting of the electronic device 106. This includes, for example, updating a default language setting, graphical user interface setting, or any other default setting associated with the electronic device 106. The manipulations of the settings illustratively results in the enablement or disablement of various applications and/or components of the electronic device.
The tag device 104 stores in memory 118 the status flag or status indication either of which, in some examples, includes an indication of the level of the signal received at the tag device 104. The indication of the level of the signal includes information such as whether the signal is strong enough to turn on the electronic device 106 or whether the signal is strong enough to initiate functions associated with any of the threshold levels (T1, T2, T3). The tag device 104 either communicates the status indication/flag to the interrogator 102, or the interrogator 102 reads the status
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.
The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The disclosed embodiments are defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes,” “including,” “contains,” “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a,” “has . . . a,” “includes . . . a,” or “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially,” “essentially,” “approximately,” “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically.
A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed. As used herein, the terms “configured to”, “configured with”, “arranged to”, “arranged with”, “capable of” and any like or similar terms mean that hardware elements of the device or structure are at least physically arranged, connected, and or coupled to enable the device or structure to function as intended.
The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61883771 | Sep 2013 | US |