US 9,853,697 B2 · Tag detector of near field communication (NFC) device, NFC device and mobile device including the same

Abstract

A tag detector of a near field communication (NFC) device includes a current monitor configured to monitor a current flowing in a regulator in a preset phase and a detection phase to generate a first sensing current and a second sensing current, respectively, a current to voltage converter configured to convert the first sensing current and the second sensing current to a first sensing voltage and a second sensing voltage, respectively, an analog to digital converter configured to convert the first sensing voltage and the second sensing voltage to a first digital code and a second digital code, respectively, and a decision circuit configured to compare the first digital code and the second digital code, and output a detection signal indicating that another NFC device is within a communication range of the NFC device, based on the comparison.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A tag detector of a near-field communication (NFC) device, the tag detector comprising:

a current monitor configured to monitor a regulator current flowing in a regulator in a preset phase and a detection phase to generate a first sensing current and a second sensing current, respectively, the regulator outputting, to a transmitter of the NFC device, a transmission power supply voltage;
a current to voltage converter configured to convert the first sensing current and the second sensing current to a first sensing voltage and a second sensing voltage, respectively;
an analog to digital converter configured to convert the first sensing voltage and the second sensing voltage to a first digital code and a second digital code, respectively;
and
a decision circuit configured to compare the first digital code and the second digital code, and configured to output a detection signal indicating that another NFC device is within a communication range of the NFC device, based on the comparison.

2 more elements

A near-field communication (NFC) device comprising:

a resonator configured to transmit and receive data to and from another NFC device through an electromagnetic wave;
and
an NFC chip configured to transmit output data to the resonator, and receive input data from the resonator,
wherein the NFC chip comprises:
a transmitter connected to the resonator through a first transmission terminal and a second transmission terminal;
a regulator configured to output a transmission power supply voltage to the transmitter;
a tag detector connected to the regulator, and configured to:
generate a first current substantially equal to a regulator current flowing in the regulator in a preset phase and a detection phase to generate a first sensing current and a second sensing current, respectively, in response to the electromagnetic wave being radiated;
compare the first sensing current and the second sensing current;
and
output a detection signal indicating that the other NFC device is within a communication range of the NFC device based on the comparison;
and
a processor configured to change an operation mode of the NFC device from a stand-by mode to an active mode based on the detection signal.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tag detector of near field communication (NFC) device, NFC device and mobile device including the same

Life of this patent

Tag detector of near field communication (NFC) device, NFC device and mobile device including the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18