Touch sensor and radio frequency identification apparatus and method

A method comprising:

• receiving an electrical signal from a passive radio frequency module;
• determining, based on a characteristic of the electrical signal, whether the passive RFID module is being energized by a RFID reader, or, in the alternative, being energized as a result of the proximity of a human or a touch panel accessory;
• if the electrical signal exhibits the characteristics of a first type of signal, operating in a first mode, or, in the alternative,
• if the electrical signal exhibits the characteristics of a second type of signal, operating in a second mode.

A mobile device comprising:

• a host processor;
• a touch panel;
• a passive RFID module disposed proximate to the touch panel;
• a control module communicatively linked to the host processor and electrically coupled to the control module, the control module comprising
• a controller,
• a reader sensing element,
• a signal generator, and
• a touch sensing element,
• each of the frequency generator, signal generator, and touch sensing element being electrically coupled to the controller,
• wherein the control module operates in at least four modes, including
• a first mode, in which the passive RFID device is energized by an RFID reader, thereby inducing a signal, and the signal passes from the passive RFID device to the reader sensing element, which responds by outputting a signal indicating to the controller that an RFID reader is interrogating the passive RFID module;
• a second mode, in which the passive RFID device is energized by a human touch, thereby inducing a signal, and the signal passes to the touch sensing element, which responds by outputting a signal indicating to the controller that the touch panel is being touched;
• a third mode, in which the signal generator modulates a signal containing data output by the controller, and provides the modulated signal to the passive RFID device, thereby writing data to the passive RFID device;
• a fourth mode in which the signal generator modulates a signal containing an interrogation command output by the controller, and provides the modulated signal to the passive RFID device, which responds by providing the data to the controller