US 7,623,831 B2 · Wireless communication device interconnectivity

Abstract

A wireless communication device that is attached or included in an electronic object, such as a portable computer, having its own separate communication system. The separate communication system has an antenna for receiving and transmitting wireless communications, and is powered by a power supply included in the object. Since the separate communication system can only communicate when powered, a separate passive wireless communication device is provided for wireless communication that does not require power from the power supply to communicate. The wireless communication device is interfaced with the existing antenna of the separate communication system so that the wireless communication device and separate communication system share a common antenna to reduce cost. The antenna may also be interconnected to a controller associated with the object so that the controller can directly communicate to the wireless communication device.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A wireless communication system, comprising:

a transceiver configured to transmit and receive communication signals at a first operating frequency;
a passive radio-frequency identification device separate from the transceiver and configured to transmit and receive communication signals at a second operating frequency different from the first operating frequency;
an antenna coupled directly to the transceiver, wherein the antenna is configured to receive communication signals at the first operating frequency for processing by the transceiver, and wherein the antenna is further configured to receive communication signals at the second operating frequency for processing by the passive radio-frequency identification device;
and
a network coupled between the passive radio-frequency identification device and the antenna, wherein the network is configured to match the impedance of the passive radio-frequency identification device to the impedance of the antenna at the second operating frequency so that a communication signal at the second operating frequency is propagated to the passive radio-frequency identification device via the network for processing.

2 more elements

A wireless communication system comprising:

a transceiver configured to transmit and receive communication signals at a first operating frequency;
a passive radio-frequency identification device that is separate from the transceiver and configured to transmit and receive communication signals at a second operating frequency different from the first operating frequency;
an antenna coupled directly to the transceiver and the passive radio-frequency identification device, wherein the antenna is configured to transmit and receive communication signals at the first and second operating frequencies;
and
a network coupled between the passive radio-frequency identification device and the antenna, wherein the network is configured so that communication signals received by the antenna and having the second operating frequency are directed to the passive radio-frequency identification device and communication signals received by the antenna and having the first operating frequency are directed away from the passive radio-frequency identification device.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wireless communication device interconnectivity

Life of this patent

Wireless communication device interconnectivity

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17