Patent ID: 12206466

FIG.1shows a schematic diagram of a conventional system suitable for providing short range wireless communication between two electronic communication devices. In this system, a conventional near field communication (NFC) passive (as opposed to active) tag10is shown along with a NFC reading device20which can be, for example, a conventional mobile communication device.

In a conventional system such asFIG.1, a NFC tag10contains a NFC antenna11and a main microprocessor chip12. The antenna11typically has a loop structure contained within a boundary13of the tag. The tag10may further include an antenna connector14to provide an interface between the antenna11and the chip12. Both the antenna11and chip12are electrically connected to the antenna connector14.

A NFC tag reader20comprises a housing containing a wireless communications means such as an antenna21, a NFC controller22which could be a microcontroller that controls the signal to be transmitted by the antenna21, and a power supply23. In this conventional system, the card reader20is shown as a mobile communication device. In use, NFC tag reader20emits electromagnetic energy which is preferably radio energy24that will cause the NFC tag10to become active. When a signal representative of the electromagnetic energy is received by the antenna11on the tag10, this signal is used to power the chip12and data communication25between the tag10and the NFC tag reader can take place.

FIG.2shows a schematic diagram of a system suitable for providing short range wireless communication between two electronic communication devices, according to a first embodiment. In this system, a near field communication (NFC) passive tag30is shown along with a conventional NFC reading device20which can be, for example, a conventional mobile communication device as in the conventional system shown and described in relation toFIG.1.

A NFC tag30contains a NFC antenna31and a main microprocessor chip32. The antenna31typically has a loop structure contained within a boundary33of the tag. The tag30may further include an antenna connector34to provide an interface between the antenna31and the chip32. Both the antenna31and chip32are electrically connected to the antenna connector34. In some other embodiments, the antenna may be directly connected to the chip.

As in theFIG.1, a NFC tag reader20comprises a housing containing a wireless communications means such as an antenna21, a NFC controller22which could be a microcontroller that controls a communication signal to be transmitted by the antenna21, and a power supply23. The communication signal in this embodiment is NFC electro-magnetic energy in the form a radio wave according to the NFC protocol, therefore, at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. The card reader20is shown as a mobile communication device but it can be any other device with wireless communication capabilities to power a tag when in close proximity to the tag. For example, this is typically within a few centimetres (e.g. 10 cm).

In this embodiment, and differently to the conventional tag shown inFIG.1, the tag30comprises input connection means35for receiving data and output connection means36for sending data. Each of the connection means35,36can take the form of an interface that provides electrical ports or connections. The connection means35,36enables the tags30to be electrically connected to other neighbouring tags. The connection is preferably wired (i.e. not wireless), and allows data can be communicated between the tag30and neighbouring tags. The connection could be provided by electrical tracks between the tag30and neighbouring tags or another type of wired communication medium.

The chip32in operable to monitor the signal received by the antenna31and is operable to monitor the signal of other tags connected to the connection means35,36and neighbouring the tag30. In use, NFC tag reader20emits electromagnetic energy which is preferably radio energy24that will cause the NFC tag30to become active when in close proximity. When a signal representative of the electromagnetic energy is received by the antenna31on the tag30, this signal is used to power the chip32and data communication25between the tag30and the NFC tag reader20can selectively take place. A tag will only respond to a request from a reader20and be selectively activated when it is determined that it is the tag amongst its group of neighbours that has the best signal and is therefore probably closest to the reader20. All tags that are not deemed to have the strongest signal will remain silent. By silence, it is meant that the tag can provide selective activation and will be self-deactivated or deactivated by another tag so as to not reply to the signal from the tag reader20. In particular, this allows any active neighbouring tags the capability to send numerical values of energy registered, and to send the value for the tag's own energy to the other tags. A comparison of the values of energy registered can be made and only the tag deemed to have the best energy rating will respond to the NFC reader20. In particular, the values are used to either reply to the reader if the value of one tag is deemed to be more suitable to reply than its neighbours, or to ignore the reader if it is deemed to have a weaker signal than its neighbours. Depending upon the layout of tags, this may or may not mean switching off the antenna connection to the chip32as well as ignoring the reader20when a neighbouring tag is in charge of replying.

A plurality of NFC tags can be provided in a network in an embodiment. In particular, the tags are arranged in a closely packed array or grid. The tags are connected to neighbouring tags through electrical connections via connection means35,36. In the embodiment shown, eight ports are provided in each of the input connection means35and the output connection means36because there are eight neighbouring tags for each tag in the particular grid arrangement.

In an embodiment shown inFIG.2, eight ports are provided in each of the input connection means35and output connection means36as there are eight neighbouring tags for each tag in the particular grid arrangement. It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art with the benefit of the present disclosure that other number of ports can be provided. Indeed, fewer ports may be provided for tags that have different shapes where fewer tags will be neighbouring. Furthermore, ports may provide two way communication such that only eight ports are required to send and receive from eight neighbouring tags.

FIG.3shows an arrangement with multiple tags30that form a section37of grid that can cover a predetermined area. The left side of the figure shows antenna31, the chip32, the boundary33and the antenna connector34for each chip30. The connection means35,36have been omitted for ease of explanation. The right side of the figure shows a simplified view of the section37only showing the boundary33of each tag30, and the chip32along with other chips that may be arranged outside the section but within the predetermined area. The section37only shows a central tag30surrounded by eight similar tags30for ease of explanation. It will be appreciated that each other tag30in the section may be surrounded by eight tags30and the grid may comprise a number of sections with fewer or more tags than shown inFIG.3. As is shown inFIG.3, the tags30are laid out across the surface of an area with each tag's antenna31being placed adjacent to its neighbours. One edge of a tag is closely packed with another tag such that one edge of a tag is adjacent an edge of another tag. Physical connections are made between the tag's chips32and the neighbouring tags30. The energy recorded from all of the tags with shared borders or boundaries to the tag30are sent to the tag30as indicated by the arrow A. It should be noted that the central tag as shown in the figure will also share its value for recorded energy with its neighbouring tags i.e. the tags it is connected to, and this can be achieved through bidirectional communication being enabled for each tag. If the tag30has a neighbour that is recording a higher energy value than itself, then it will remain silent to the reader20. If the tag30has a higher reading than any of its neighbours, then it is deemed to be the communication point and it will activate its normal NFC communication by responding to an initiation signal from the reader20(as in the mechanism of a prior art NFC tag or smartcard). It will be appreciated that any tag that is within range of the reader can be activated and has the potential to be the communication point with the reader. Such a tag will have sufficient power induced by the reader to carry out the above processing of values and then to self-deactivate if it is not the highest energy value within the group of tags that have received a signal from the reader. This may be used for a wide variety of applications such as announcing an identity or sharing payment information required to make an electronic payment. The number of tags in a network can vary and communication can be between only two tags. In some embodiments, at least three tags are provided. In other embodiments, at least five tags are provided. In a modification (not shown), power may be shared between other tags within a cluster of tags to carry out processing of values through the connection between tags.

FIGS.4and5shows an embodiment of a construction of a plurality of tags30. The tag30can have a composite structure with multiple layers. A data network layer30acomprises the chip32and provides connections of the input and output connections means35,36between the chips32of the tags30. The input and output connection means35,36are excluded from the figures for ease of explanation and the connection is shown as a combined connection path35a, which is preferably bidirectional, between different tags. As mentioned, separate connections means are not required and a single interface could be provided and indeed could be integrated into the chip32. An insulating layer30bcomprising the chip32and insulating material is provided on top of the data network layer30a. A NFC antenna layer30cis provided on top of the insulating layer30b. The antenna layer30ccomprises the antenna31, chip32and the antenna connector34(if provided). A protective coating layer30dmay be provided on top of the antenna layer30c. The coating layer30dcomprises a transparent or opaque protective material and/or may be formed of a plastics material. The layer30dmay be a display screen or another layer that can display information such as a printed page. The chip32extends through the three layers30a,30b,30cand can avoid interference between the antenna and communication means that is provided between chip32of each tag30in a network of tags. Different grade glues can be provided between the different layers. A message indicating tamper of the tag could be printed on one or more layers such that if an antenna is removed, a tamper message may be exposed from an underlying layer.

FIG.6shows a section from a network of tags (section and network shown) comprising an alternative shape of a tag40which has the same functionality as tag30. Similarly to tag30, tag40comprises contains a NFC antenna41and a main microprocessor chip42. The antenna41typically has a loop structure contained within a boundary43of the tag. The tag40may further include an antenna connector44to provide an interface between the antenna41and the chip42. Both the antenna41and chip42are electrically connected to the antenna connector44. In some other embodiments, the antenna may be directly connected to the chip. The tag comprises input connection means45and output connection means46similarly toFIG.2.

It will be appreciated that different sections of the network of tags maybe provided over a particular area rather than tags covering the entire area depending on the functionality required over the area.

Differently toFIG.2, the tag40has an alternative hexagonal boundary shape such that similarly to the tag section inFIG.3, in a section47, a tag40can be closely neighboured by six similar tags40in order to create a larger honeycomb network48(shown in more detail inFIG.7) of tags40. The neighbouring tags40of the main tag40which are positioned at equal distances main tag40in the section that is shown. The tags40operate in the same way are the tag30so the description will not be repeated here.

FIG.7shows a simplified view of the honeycomb network48of tags shown inFIG.6covering a surface area. The area includes a plurality of tags40. The tags40may be arranged within a housing covering the area. In this embodiment, the area is the same size as the size of the honeycomb network48. In one embodiment, the housing is a mat which can be portable and located over different types of surface.

As mentioned previously, a value representing the energy received from the reader20(not shown inFIG.7but refer toFIG.2for an example reader20) by a tag in a section of the network is shown. As with the tags shown inFIG.2, the tags with the highest values can be used as a communication point for the reader20. When the reader20is moved over a section of the NFC mat, for example, a cluster of tags40will become active. Each tag40will have a numeric value to represent the NFC radio signal energy available to the tag40as initiated by the reader20. This will be highest at the centre of the reader's field. Only the tag with the highest value should accept the right to communicate with the reader20.

In some embodiments, more than one tag30,40in a section has an equal high value to a neighbouring tag. If this is the case, the average neighbour energy for each tag may also be taken into consideration before a selection of tag to communicate with the reader20is made.FIGS.8ato8eshow examples of the values from tags in an activated cluster of tags in an example honeycomb network such as that inFIG.7and how a selection of a tag can be made where equal high value tags are present.

FIG.8ashows a main central tag in a section with a value of 7. Its highest neighbour has a value of 9. The main tag has a neighbour with a higher value and therefore the main tag does not respond to the reader20and does not activate communication.FIG.8bshows a main tag in a section that is at the edge of a cluster, the main tag having a value of 4. Its highest neighbour is 7. The main tag has a neighbour with a higher value and therefore the main tag does not respond to the reader20and does not activate communication.FIG.8cshows a main tag in a section with a value of 7. Its highest neighbour is 10. The main tag has a neighbour with a higher value and therefore the main tag does not respond to the reader20and does not activate communication.FIG.8dshows a main tag in a section with a value of 10. Its highest neighbour is 10. The main tag will therefore calculate an average value of the energy in neighbouring tags. The average value of its neighbours is 8.17. A weighted main tag value which is the sum of the main tag value and the average neighbour value can then be calculated. The weighted main tag value is 18.17. The weighted neighbour tag value is received by the main tag and a comparison can be made. In this example, the weighted neighbour tag value is 18.67. The neighbour has a higher weighted neighbour value and therefore the main tag in the section does not respond to or communicate with the reader20.FIG.8eshows a main tag in a section with a value of 10. Its highest neighbour is 10. The average value of its neighbours is 8.67. A weighted main tag value which is the sum of the main tag value and the average neighbour value is 18.67. The weighted neighbour tag value is 18.17. The main tag has the highest weighted value and responds to and communicates with the reader20. The weighted value provides a modification to the simple value comparison which can also provide an indication of the best signal being received and in some cases, one of the tags with the highest received energy values may be arbitrarily selected.

An embodiment will now be described relating to the method corresponding to the system described above in relation toFIG.6. Although tag40is referred to, it will be appreciated by the skilled person that the method also applies to other tags with similar functionality such as tag30. According to the method, the electronic reading device20is brought into close proximity to the honeycomb network48of NFC tags40(typically a few centimetres such that at least one tag of the network can be read). Tags40that are within range of the reading device will receive electromagnetic signal from the reading device20that causes the tags40to become activated. Activation could be through power being generated to the tag through inductive coupling activation can be through some other means (e.g. causing a power supply in the tag to be activated). The tags40that receive the signal then determine a value representative of the reliability of the signal such as signal strength of the received signal. The tags40that receive the signal also receive values representative of the reliability of the signal from neighbouring tags to which the tags are connected. Therefore, at least a first value and second value representative of the reliability of the signal (if only two tags are activated) are received by a tag40. Wireless communication with the reading device20is then initiated based on the first and second value. That is, the values are indicative of the tag40that should respond to the initiation signal from the reading device20.

The invention can have a number of uses which will now be described. It will be appreciated by the skilled person that the invention is not limited to these uses and other uses are possible. Also although reference is made to tag40, the tag30or another tag with similar functionality may alternatively or additionally used.

With reference toFIG.9, one use is for extending the area within which a portable unmanned vehicle that includes a wireless electronic reading device is attempting to locate a NFC tag. In particular, a tag can be embodied in a contactless payment card. The network of tags are built into a landing pad for the self-propelling reading device to identify the landing pad as the target location and if appropriate to also make a payment. The portable unmanned vehicle that includes the reading device can be an unmanned aerial vehicle such as a delivery drone60that holds a payload for delivery. It will be appreciated that the reading device can be incorporated into other automated vehicles or devices such as unmanned land vehicles.

In the embodiment where the vehicle is a drone60, the drone60, which includes the functionality of the reader20described above, comes in to land at a location61on the NFC landing pad65which is formed of a plurality of tags40in a honeycomb network48as described above (an exploded view of the landing pad is shown). As in the structure shown inFIGS.4and5, the landing pad may have a protective coating layer that comprises a transparent or opaque protective material and/or may be formed of a plastics material. A NFC-based payment terminal can attached to the drone60. As the drone60lands on the landing pad65which may be provided as a mat, the NFC field from the drone's payment terminal will activate the tags40on the mat immediately under it (such as the cluster of tags shown inFIG.7). The tags40will share the energy reading each is receiving with its immediate neighbours. The tag with the highest reading will then transmit identification data and if required EMV compliant payment data to the drone's payment terminal. If the card details match the card details expected for the intended delivery from the drone60, then a payment will be made and the drone60can release its payload to make a delivery.

In this example, any tag40within the landing mat will be setup to provide the same identity and payment information, thus creating a wide area that the drone can land on. For example, landing at the location at a different part of the landing mat, as shown by area62, would also enable a tag40that has the best energy reading from the plurality of tags in the network48to interact with the drone60. A unique identification for each tag40may however also or alternatively be included in the messaging system if there is any reason to know where on the mat, the drone60has landed.

Referring toFIGS.10and11, a second use is where the NFC reader is in the mobile communication device20. Each tag is integrated into or provided on a surface of a medium such as a mat70to provide information. Each tag40has a unique identifier that can be used to look up information specific to the location on the NFC mat70. As the user places the device20on different parts of the mat, the user will be presented with information that is specific for that location.

As shown inFIG.11, the network of tags can be fitted into a smart poster or a smart page of a catalogue. The page has a layer that is printed with product images. A network of tags is provided in the layer of the poster under the printed layer and will allow the user's device to read tags relating to each product. The NFC reader on the mobile device20will receive a tag identifier for the tag under the phone and retrieve the information relating to the product located above the tag on the page. The user may then proceed to purchase the product directly from the device20.

Another example of this material would be to augment a static page with information displayed on the consumer's device. Information about points of interest on a map may for instance be displayed when the user places their phone on that point on the map. This could also be used to show animations on a device for static images on a page, or to add accessibility options, such as screen reading to a normal page of information. As is apparent, the system can determine accurately where a reading device has been placed on a piece of material such as paper, and can thereby create “augmented reality paper”.

With the foregoing embodiments, the reader does not need to select a particular tag from a plurality of tags in a network. Instead, the tag network can self-determine which tag is receiving the most reliable signal and take further action by responding to the tag reader. The tag reader will therefore be acting in a conventional way as if only one tag is in close proximity to it. The NFC tags in the network will not all simultaneously attempt to communicate with the reader. This is particularly advantageous in an embodiment where the NFC tags are part of a contactless payment system and are embedded in a contactless payment instrument such as a payment smartcard. There is a much lower risk of a “card clash” which is known in the art where two or more smart cards or tags attempt to communicate at the same time. Such a “card clash” is avoided as only one electronic communication device of the network will attempt to reply to an initiation signal from the single electronic reading device.

The NFC tags themselves can determine where the NFC reader is likely positioned relative to the area in which the tags are located.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, advantageously, some embodiments of the invention can be used with a conventional NFC reading device. NFC passive tags have been described as particularly advantageous in the embodiments above but it will be appreciated that the invention could be embodied in any electronic communication device which receives electromagnetic energy from a reading device that is in close proximity which causes the electronic communication device to be powered or activated. In particular, active tags could instead be provided. Indeed, a network of active tags could be provided with similar functionality as in the above embodiments wherein signal strength or other information relevant to the location of a reading device is shared amongst neighbouring tags in order to determine the likely location of the reading device and activating only one of the active tags to communicate with the reading device.

Although being particularly suited to and described in the context of NFC, it will be appreciated by the skilled person with the benefit of the present disclosure that this invention could be implemented using another wireless communication protocol where two devices (i.e. a reading device and a target device) can wirelessly communicate. For example, the electronic devices are described in the context of NFC antennas which are known in the art. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to NFC antennas and that the disclosure is equally applicable to other types of wireless communication antennas that can provide the same functionality, e.g. RFID, Bluetooth antennas, also including any wireless communication standards not currently known but which are developed in the future but can provide communication between wireless communication devices.

Although the same wireless communication initiating or reading device is described in the embodiments, it will be appreciated that different wireless communication initiating or reading devices may be used to communicate with different clusters of electronic wireless communication devices, as long as electronic wireless communication devices have the capability to communicate and share one or more characteristics of the signals received by the electronic wireless communication devices with other electronic wireless communication devices.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the means as mentioned above can be implemented by specific electronic modules or components that carry out the functionality as described or a single programmable module programmed to carry out the functionality.

Numerous modifications, adaptations and variations to the embodiments described herein will become apparent to a person skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure, and such modifications, adaptations and variations that result in additional embodiments of the present invention are also within the scope of the accompanying claims.