# US 2014/0152425 A1 · Touch sensor and radio frequency identification apparatus and method

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- Number: US 2014/0152425 A1
- Document ID: US20140152425A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/705,646
- Filed: 2012-12-05
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-12-05
- Assignees: Motorola Mobility LLC
- Applicants: Motorola Mobility LLC
- Inventors: Mark F. Valentine; Pavel A. Shostak
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140152425A1

## CPC

- G06K 7/01: Details
- G06F 3/00: Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06K 19/0716: {at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor}
- G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

A touch sensor and RFID apparatus is described. In one implementation, the apparatus includes a passive RFID module disposed proximate to a touch panel, and a control module configured to receive an electrical signal from the passive RFID module. The apparatus may be configured to determine, based on a characteristic of the electrical signal, whether the passive RFID module has been energized by an RFID reader or, in the alternative, has exhibited an impedance change as a result of contact being made with the touch panel. The apparatus may also be configured to operate in a first mode if the passive RFID module is determined to have been energized by an RFID reader, or, in the alternative, operate in a second mode if the passive RFID module is determined to have been energized as a result of contact being made with the touch panel. Additionally, the control module can read from or write to the passive RFID module via direct electrical excitation over a wire or wires connecting the passive RFID module to the control module.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus comprising:
a passive RFID module;
a control module configured to receive an electrical signal from the passive RFID module;
wherein the control module is configured to determine, based on a characteristic of the electrical signal, whether the passive RFID module has been energized by an RFID reader, or, in the alternative, has exhibited a change of impedance as a result of the proximity of a human or a touch panel accessory;
wherein the apparatus is configured to operate in at least two modes, including:
a first mode if the controller determines that passive RFID module has been energized by an RFID reader, or, in the alternative,
a second mode if the controller determines that the passive RFID module has exhibited an impedance change as a result of the proximity of a human or a touch panel accessory.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the passive RFID module is disposed proximate to a touch panel,
the proximity of a human or touch panel accessory indicates that the human or touch panel accessory has made contact with the touch panel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2,
wherein the control module comprises a controller, a reader sensing element electrically coupled to the controller, and a touch sensing element electrically coupled to the controller,
when the frequency of the electrical signal is that of a predetermined frequency,
the reader sensing element sends a signal indicating, to the controller, that the passive RFID module has been energized by an RFID reader,
the controller makes its determination based on the signal received from the reader sensing element,
the controller informs a host that an RFID reader has been detected, and
the host displays, on the touch panel, an indication of the presence of the RFID reader,
when the characteristic of the electrical signal meets a criteria relating to contact with the touch panel,
the touch sensing element sends a signal to the controller indicating that contact has been made with the touch panel,
the controller makes its determination based on the signal received from the touch sensing element,
the controller informs the host, that contact has been made with the touch panel, and
the host displays, on the touch panel, an indication of the contact.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the passive RFID module comprises an RFID controller and a coil,
wherein the control module is further configured to transmit, in a third mode of the apparatus, a signal to the passive RFID module, wherein the signal contains data,
wherein the signal energizes the passive RFID module coil, thereby creating an electromagnetic field that contains the data;
wherein the electromagnetic field from the RFID module coil causes the data to be written to the RFID controller.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the passive RFID module is an NFC tag.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The apparatus of claim 3,
wherein the indication of the RFID reader on the display panel is a message that alerts the user that an RFID reader is interacting with a device with which the apparatus is integrated,
and wherein the contact is made on a button that has been pressed, and the indication of the contact is the button lighting up.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the data that has been written to the RFID controller is readable by an RFID reader.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein
the control module comprises a controller, a reader sensing element electrically coupled to the controller, and a touch sensing element electrically coupled to the controller,
in response to an RFID reader interrogating the passive RFID module, or in response to a user touching the touch panel in an area that is proximate to the passive RFID module, the passive RFID module outputs the electrical signal via a wired connection to the control module,
the reader sensing element is triggered only when one or more characteristics of the electrical signal received from the passive RFID module indicates that the passive RFID module is being interrogated by an RFID reader,
the apparatus operates in the first mode in response to the reader sensing element being triggered,
the controller, in the first mode of the apparatus, transmits a signal to a host, the signal indicating that an RFID reader is nearby,
the touch sensing element is triggered only when one or more attributes of the electrical signal indicate that a user is touching the touch panel, the user's touch being proximate to the passive RFID module,
the apparatus operates in the second mode in response to the touch sensing element being triggered,
the controller, in the second mode of the apparatus, transmits a signal to the host, the signal indicating that the touch panel is being touched,
the controller, in a third mode, transmits a signal containing data to the passive RFID module via electromagnetic coupling with the passive RFID module, wherein the passive RFID module stores the data in a memory of the controller.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a kiosk housing, wherein:
the touch panel is disposed on the housing, the touch panel displaying a picture, the picture representing a media content option of a plurality of media content options;
the passive RFID module is disposed on the underside of the touch panel proximate to the picture,
the control module is disposed within the housing,
when the apparatus operates in the first mode, the RFID reader transmits information to the passive RFID module, the information relating to one or more of the plurality of media content options,
when the contact is touch by a user, the touch being proximate to the passive RFID module, the touch indicating a choice by the user of one or more of the media content options, the apparatus operates in the second mode,

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an automated teller machine housing, wherein:
the touch panel is disposed on the housing, the touch panel displaying a plurality of virtual controls, each of the plurality of virtual controls representing a function of a plurality of functions of the automated teller machine;
the passive RFID module is disposed on the underside of the touch panel proximate to a virtual control of the plurality of virtual controls,
the control module is disposed within the housing,
when the apparatus operates in the first mode, the RFID reader transmits information to the passive RFID module, the information relating to one or more of the plurality of functions,
when the contact is touch by a user, the touch being proximate to the passive RFID module, the touch indicating an activation by the user, of one or more of the virtual controls, the apparatus operates in the second mode.

### Claim 11 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising doorbell housing, wherein:
the touch panel is a button on the housing;
the passive RFID module is disposed on the underside of the touch panel;
the control module is disposed within the housing,
when the passive RFID module is energized by an electromagnetic field the apparatus operates in the first mode, in which data containing identity information is transferred from the passive RFID module to the reader, and the apparatus contacts a user in response thereto,
when the contact is touch by a user, the touch being proximate to the passive RFID module, the apparatus operates in the second mode, in which the apparatus activates a chime in response thereto.

### Claim 12

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.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein
operating in the first mode comprises receiving the first type of electrical signal via wired connection, and displaying, on a touch panel, an indication of a presence of the RFID reader,
operating in the second mode comprises, receiving the second type of electrical signal via wired connection, and indicating, on a user interface, that contact has been made with the touch panel.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising:
applying, to the passive RFID module, a continuous carrier signal that has been modulated, the signal being transmitted via wire to the passive RFID module,
writing the data to the RFID controller using the continuous carrier signal.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the passive RFID module is an NFC tag.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the passive RFID module is disposed proximate to a touch panel, operating in the second mode is carried out when a human or a touch panel accessory makes contact with the touch panel.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, further comprising generating a electromagnetic field in response to interrogation by the RFID reader, the electric field containing the information.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, further comprising:
displaying a picture on the touch panel, the picture representing a media content option of a plurality of media content options;
in the first mode, receiving, via the passive RFID module, information relating to one or more of the plurality of media content options,
in the second mode, receiving a user touch on the touch panel, the touch being proximate to the location of the passive RFID module, the touch indicating a choice by the user of one or more of the media content options.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, further comprising:
displaying a plurality of virtual controls on a touch panel, each of the plurality of virtual controls representing a function of a plurality of functions of an automated teller machine;
in the first mode, transmitting information to the passive RFID module, the information relating to one or more of the plurality of functions,
in the second mode, receiving a touch by a user, the touch on the touch panel being proximate to the passive RFID module, the touch indicating an activation by the user, of one or more of the virtual controls,
executing the function corresponding to the virtual control indicated by the touch.

### Claim 19

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