Dual mode inductive touch screen for use in a configurable communication device and methods for use therewith

An inductive touch screen for use in a communication device having at least one transceiver that is coupled to an antenna for communicating radio frequency (RF) signals with at least one remote station, the inductive touch screen comprising:

• a display layer for displaying information;
• an inductor grid, coupled to display layer, that includes a plurality of inductive elements;
• at least one switch matrix, coupled to the inductor grid, that selects a selected one of the plurality of inductive elements in response to at least one selection signal in a first mode of operation, and that couples together a group of the plurality of inductive elements in a second mode of operation to operate as the antenna for data communication with a remote station;
• a dual mode driver, coupled to the at least one switch matrix and the inductor grid, that generates the at least one selection signal and that:
• in the first mode of operation, drives the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements to detect a touch object in proximity to the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements and that generates touch screen data in response thereto;
• and
• in a second mode of operation, couples the group of the plurality of inductive elements to the antenna interface;
• wherein the dual mode driver includes:
• a measurement circuit that detects a touch object in proximity to the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements in the first mode of operation;
• a controller for generating a control signal that indicates one of, a first mode or operation and a second mode of operation;
• and
• a mode switch, coupled to the controller, that responds to the control signal by:
• coupling the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements to the measurement circuit when the control signal indicates the first mode of operation;
• and
• coupling the group of the plurality of inductive elements to the antenna interface.

An inductive touch screen for use in a communication device having at least one transceiver that is coupled to an antenna for communicating radio frequency (RF) signals with at least one remote station, the inductive touch screen comprising:

• a display layer for displaying information;
• an inductor grid, coupled to display layer, that includes a plurality of inductive elements;
• at least one multiplexer, coupled to the inductor grid, that selects a selected one of the plurality of inductive elements in response to at least one selection signal in a first mode of operation, and that couples together a group of the plurality of inductive elements in a second mode of operation to operate as the antenna for data communication with a remote station;
• a dual mode driver, coupled to the at least one multiplexer and the inductor grid, that generates the at least one selection signal and that:
• in the first mode of operation, drives the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements to detect a touch object in proximity to the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements and that generates touch screen data in response thereto;
• and
• in a second mode of operation, couples the group of the plurality of inductive elements to the antenna interface.