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AppleGranted patentNetworks & wirelessInterest 3/10

Apple patents two-step method to confirm nearby NFC devices

Apple describes a system where a device sends a short pulse to check if another device is nearby. It then sends a second, confirming pulse to verify the connection before starting data exchange.

Why it mattersThis improves the reliability of contactless payments and data sharing by reducing false positives when devices are close together.

In the filing’s own words

A device implementing a system for NFC communication with a second device includes an antenna and a processor configured to transmit a pulse signal for detection of another device within proximity of the device, and to detect, in conjunction with transmission of the pulse signal, that a first value of a measurement parameter of the antenna satisfies an initial detection factor. The processor is further configured, in response to the detection, to set a confirmation detection factor for the measurement parameter of the antenna based at least in part on the first value of the measurement parameter of the antenna, to transmit a confirmation pulse signal, and to initiate a second polling for reception of data from the other device when a second value of the measurement parameter of the antenna detected in conjunction with transmission of the confirmation pulse signal satisfies the confirmation detection factor.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A device comprising: an antenna; and at least one processor configured to: transmit a signal for detection of an other device; detect, in conjunction with transmission of the signal, that a first value of a detection measurement parameter satisfies an initial detection factor; and in response to detecting that the first value satisfies the initial detection factor: transmit a confirmation signal; and initiate a polling for reception of data from the other device when a second value of the detection measurement parameter detected in conjunction with transmission of the confirmation signal satisfies a confirmation detection factor, wherein the polling for reception of data is different than the signal transmitted for detection of the other device.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Coexistence of wireless technologies on an antenna
Patent number
US12743593B2
Application number
17883552
Filed
Aug 8, 2022
Granted
Sep 22, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
20

Classified under

G06K 7/10297 Physics & computingH04B 1/0053 Electricity & electronicsH04B 5/48 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.