Patent ID: 9529480
Filing Date: 2016-12-27
CPC Classification: G06F,H04B

Claim Text:
1. An input/output device comprising: a programmable visual display defining a first and second opposite surfaces; an array of near field coupling compatible antennas positioned at least a first distance from the first surface but within a second distance from the second surface, the first distance being sufficient to enable near field coupling between adjacent antennas of the array and an external near field coupling compatible device in a proximity of the second surface, the adjacent antennas being at least a third distance apart from one another, the third distance is dynamically adjustable to generate overlapping or non-overlapping of tap zones, wherein the adjacent antennas that generate the overlapping tap zones are configured to act as a single antenna to detect presence of the external near field coupling compatible device in proximity of a first icon, wherein each of the other antenna with corresponding non-overlapping tap zone is configured to detect presence of the external near field coupling compatible device in proximity of a second icon that is different from the first icon; a processor in communication with the display and the antenna array; and a memory in communication with the processor and storing instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to control the activation of each of the antennas, to display the first and second icons on the display and in one or more tap zones of the second surface for which the associated antenna is active, to accept from one of the antennas a signal indicating that the external NFC-compatible device to be in the proximity of the tap zone corresponding to that antenna, and to respond to that tap indication by changing the icon associated with that tap zone and to output an indication of the tapped tap zone.