An apparatus for communicating with a near field communication, NFC, card

Abstract

An apparatus comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit a first polling cycle at a first field strength and to transmit at least a second polling cycle, the second polling cycle being transmitted at a different second field strength for at least a portion of a duration of the second polling cycle; a receiver configured to receive, from a near field communication (NFC) responder, a first response replying to the first polling cycle and to receive, from the NFC responder, a second response replying to the at least second polling cycle; and a controller configured to determine, based on one or both of: (i) an amplitude difference between amplitudes of the first and second responses relative to an amplitude threshold; and (ii) a phase difference between phases of the first and second responses relative to a phase threshold, whether the NFC responder comprises an entity NFC card or an electronic device emulating an NFC card.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a device for communicating with a Near Field Communication (NFC) card, and more particularly to a device for distinguishing between a physical NFC card and a virtual NFC card generated by an electronic device such as a smartphone. This disclosure also relates to a wireless charger including said device. Background Technology

[0002] Virtual NFC cards can be generated by electronic devices such as smartphones to simulate physical NFC cards. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus is provided, comprising:

[0004] A transmitter configured to transmit a first polling cycle including a plurality of polling commands at a first field strength, and to transmit at least a second polling cycle including a plurality of polling commands, wherein the second polling cycle is transmitted at a second field strength different from the first field strength for at least a portion of the duration of the second polling cycle.

[0005] The receiver is configured to receive a first response from a near-field communication (NFC) responder in response to a first polling cycle, and to receive a second response from the NFC responder in response to at least a second polling cycle; and

[0006] The controller is configured to:

[0007] An electronic device that determines whether an NFC responder includes a physical NFC card or an analog NFC card is based on one or two of the following: (i) the amplitude difference between the amplitude of a first response and the amplitude of a second response relative to an amplitude threshold; and (ii) the phase difference between the phase of a first response and the phase of a second response relative to a phase threshold.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to,

[0009] Based on the fact that the amplitude difference between the amplitudes of the first and second responses is greater than an amplitude threshold, it is determined that the NFC responder includes an electronic device simulating an NFC card; and

[0010] Based on the fact that the amplitude difference between the amplitude of the first response and the amplitude of the second response is less than the amplitude threshold, it is determined that the NFC responder includes a physical NFC card.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to,

[0012] Based on the fact that the phase difference between the phase of the first response and the phase of the second response is greater than a phase threshold, it is determined that the NFC responder includes an electronic device simulating an NFC card; and

[0013] Based on the fact that the phase difference between the phase of the first response and the phase of the second response is less than a phase threshold, it is determined that the NFC responder includes a physical NFC card.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the device includes a wireless charging circuitry system, wherein the wireless charging circuitry system is controlled based on determining whether the NFC responder comprises a physical NFC card or an analog NFC card.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the first response and the second response include a request-response ATQA signal.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the first response and the second response include anti-collision signals generated as part of an anti-collision algorithm.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the receiver is configured to determine the in-phase I component and quadrature Q component of a first response and the I component and Q component of a second response, and

[0018] The controller is configured to determine a first phase angle based on one of the I and Q components of a first response, and to determine a second phase angle based on one of the I and Q components of a second response, wherein the phase difference is based on the difference between the first and second phase angles.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the transmitter is configured to transmit a third polling loop comprising a plurality of polling commands at a third field strength, wherein the third polling loop transmits at a third field strength different from the first field strength for at least a portion of the duration of the third polling loop; and

[0020] The determination of whether the NFC responder includes a physical NFC card or an analog NFC card is based on one or both of the following: (i) the amplitude difference between the amplitude of a first response and the amplitude of a second and / or third response relative to an amplitude threshold; and (ii) the phase difference between the phase of a first response and the phase of a second and / or third response relative to a phase threshold.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the second polling cycle emits at a second field strength different from the first field strength for at least the initial portion of the duration of the second polling cycle.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the transmitter is configured to transmit a second polling cycle with a second field strength in the initial portion of the second polling cycle, and to transmit a second polling cycle with a greater field strength in the later portion of the second polling cycle.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the receiver is configured to receive at least a second response during a later portion of the second polling cycle.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to prevent activation or disable the wireless charging circuitry system based on determining that the NFC responder includes a physical NFC card.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, one or both of the following conditions are present:

[0026] The controller is configured to prevent activation or disable the wireless charging circuitry system based on determining that the NFC responder includes a physical NFC card; or

[0027] The controller is configured to activate the wireless charging circuitry system or not prevent activation of the wireless charging circuitry system based on determining that the NFC responder includes an electronic device simulating an NFC card.

[0028] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, we provide a method for operating a device, comprising:

[0029] The transmitter sends a first polling cycle containing multiple polling commands at a first field strength.

[0030] The receiver receives the first response from the NFC responder in response to the first polling cycle.

[0031] A second polling cycle comprising multiple polling commands is transmitted by a transmitter, wherein the second polling cycle is transmitted with a second field strength different from the first field strength for at least a portion of the duration of the second polling cycle;

[0032] The receiver receives a second response from the NFC responder in response to the at least second polling cycle; and

[0033] The controller determines whether the NFC responder is an electronic device comprising a physical NFC card or an analog NFC card based on one or two of the following: (i) the amplitude difference between the amplitude of a first response and the amplitude of a second response relative to an amplitude threshold; and (ii) the phase difference between the phase of a first response and the phase of a second response relative to a phase threshold.

[0034] According to a third aspect of this disclosure, we provide a non-transitory computer-usable medium including computer program code configured to implement:

[0035] The transmitter sends a first polling cycle containing multiple polling commands at a first field strength.

[0036] The receiver receives the first response from the NFC responder in response to the first polling cycle.

[0037] A second polling cycle comprising multiple polling commands is transmitted by a transmitter, wherein the second polling cycle is transmitted with a second field strength different from the first field strength for at least a portion of the duration of the second polling cycle;

[0038] The receiver receives a second response from the NFC responder in response to the at least second polling cycle; and

[0039] The controller determines whether the NFC responder is an electronic device comprising a physical NFC card or an analog NFC card based on one or two of the following: (i) the amplitude difference between the amplitude of a first response and the amplitude of a second response relative to an amplitude threshold; and (ii) the phase difference between the phase of a first response and the phase of a second response relative to a phase threshold.

[0040] While this disclosure allows for various modifications and alternatives, details thereof have been illustrated by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. However, it should be understood that other embodiments besides the specific embodiments described are also possible. All modifications, equivalents, and alternative embodiments falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims are also covered.

[0041] The foregoing discussion is not intended to represent every exemplary embodiment or implementation within the scope of the present or future claims. Various exemplary embodiments are also illustrated in the drawings and the following detailed description. A more comprehensive understanding of the various exemplary embodiments can be gained by considering the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0042] One or more embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0043] Figure 1 Example embodiments of devices configured to determine the presence of physical or simulated NFC cards are shown.

[0044] Figure 2 Example signal graphs are shown, illustrating different responses from physical NFC cards and analog NFC cards to ATQA replies;

[0045] Figure 3 The second example signal graph is shown, which illustrates the different responses from physical NFC cards and analog NFC cards to anti-collision replies;

[0046] Figure 4 An example signal curve is shown, illustrating the phases of the I and Q responses from a physical NFC card;

[0047] Figure 5 An example signal graph is shown, illustrating the phases of the I and Q responses from an analog NFC card; and

[0048] Figure 6 An example flowchart is shown, illustrating the methods of this disclosure; and

[0049] Figure 7 A computer-readable medium is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0050] Wireless charging offers convenience to users. For example, users can place their mobile devices (such as smartphones) in a charging area, and their devices will charge via electromagnetic induction. Wireless chargers are known to perform foreign object detection to prevent energy from being delivered by wireless charging coupled to unintended objects. Users typically carry their smartphones and cards with near-field communication (NFC) capabilities, such as bank cards, in their wallets. Such NFC cards include coils that can electromagnetically couple with the coils of a wireless charger and receive enough energy to damage or destroy the NFC card. Therefore, it can be advantageous for a wireless charger to detect the presence of an NFC card in the charging area. However, mobile devices (such as smartphones) also often have NFC communication capabilities to generate virtual NFC cards to simulate physical NFC cards (e.g., for mobile phone-based payments). Therefore, controlling the provision of wireless charging based on detecting NFC cards through communication with them is not straightforward.

[0051] We disclose a device configured to distinguish between electronic devices using physical NFC cards and analog NFC cards based on NFC communication. It should be understood that NFC communication is defined in the standard ISO / IEC FDIS 14443-3:2000(E). The device can be part of a wireless charger to control wireless charging provided by the charger. However, it should be understood that devices configured to distinguish between physical NFC cards and analog NFC cards can have a wider range of applications.

[0052] Figure 1 The device 100 is shown, which includes a transmitter 101 for transmitting NFC signals, a receiver 102 for receiving any responses from NFC cards, tags, or devices near the device 100, and a controller 103 for processing the responses to determine the presence of electronic devices 105, 106 of a physical NFC card 104 and / or an analog NFC card. Electronic devices 105, 106 typically include smartphones, but can detect any other battery-powered electronic devices with NFC capability.

[0053] In the current example, device 100 includes a wireless charger, and therefore includes a wireless charging circuitry system 107. The wireless charging circuitry system 107 is configured to be controlled by controller 103 based on the determination of the presence of a physical NFC card 104 and optionally the presence of electronic devices 105, 106 having virtual NFC card functionality for simulating a physical NFC card.

[0054] Figure 1 This illustrates two common configurations of physical / analog NFC cards, which may be important for differentiating wireless chargers. Figure 1 The electronic device 105 is shown in a wallet containing a physical NFC card 104 (but the physical NFC card could simply be near the electronic device rather than in the wallet). Therefore, it is advantageous to detect the presence of the physical NFC card and prevent wireless charging of this configuration. Figure 1 A second configuration is also shown, comprising only electronic device 106, but which also has NFC capability for simulating a physical NFC card to make mobile payments. Providing wireless charging for this configuration is desirable because there is no physical NFC card that could be damaged.

[0055] Figure 2 Examples are shown in graph 201 of the signal transmitted by transmitter 101, and in graph 202 of the signal received by receiver 102 in response to a physical NFC card and in graph 203 of the signal received by receiver 102 in response to a virtual NFC card. Further examples are shown in... Figure 3 and 4 As shown in the image.

[0056] However, to illustrate the operation of device 100, transmitter 101 is configured to transmit multiple signal blocks 205, 206, and 207. In diagram 201, the signal blocks include an ABFV polling block 205, a first polling loop 206, and a second polling loop 207. The ABFV polling block 205 is an NFC block used to identify different NFC card types (i.e., Type A, Type B, Type F, and Type V). The polling loops can be configured according to the protocol defining NFC communication. As is well known to those skilled in the art of NFC, polling loops 206 and 207 include multiple polling commands. These polling commands may include wake-up commands instructing any nearby NFC tag, card, or device to wake up and respond; in this art, these are referred to as "WUPA" commands.

[0057] Device 100 is configured to transmit a first polling cycle 206 with a first field strength 208. Device 100 is configured to transmit a second polling cycle 207 with a second field strength 209 different from the first field strength 208 for at least a portion 210 of the duration 211 of the second polling cycle 207. In the present example, the second polling cycle is transmitted with the second field strength for at least the initial portion of the duration 211 of the second polling cycle, but other field strength distributions are also possible. In the present example, the initial portion 210 is configured to extend at least until after the NFC-enabled electronic device has completed its sampling phase for the Dynamic Load Modulation Amplitude (DLMA) process. As those skilled in the art know, DLMA is provided to optimize the load modulation amplitude based on the external field strength of the NFC-enabled electronic device. DLMA is not used in physical NFC cards.

[0058] Receiver 102 is configured to receive first responses 216, 217 from NFC responders in response to the first polling cycle 206, regardless of whether the NFC responder is a physical NFC card 104 or an electronic device 105, 106 simulating a physical NFC card. Receiver 102 is also configured to receive second responses 218, 219 from NFC responders 104, 105, 106 in response to the second polling cycle 207 (or any other polling cycle).

[0059] In this first example, the first responses 216, 217 and the second responses 218, 219 include a request-response (or request-response A) ATQA signal, as is well known to those skilled in the art of NFC. However, in other examples, the first and second responses may be anti-collision signals generated as part of an anti-collision algorithm, as is well known to those skilled in the art of NFC.

[0060] The controller 103 is configured to determine whether the NFC responder is an electronic device that includes a physical NFC card or an analog NFC card by comparing the amplitudes of the first responses 216 to 218 and the second responses 217 to 219, or more generally by comparing any two or more of the two or more responses.

[0061] Graph 202 illustrates the response from the physical card. Considering graph 202, after the initial portion 210, when (in this example) the field strength has returned to an amplitude 213 similar to or the same as the amplitude 208 of the first polling cycle, an ATQA response 218 is received. The amplitudes of the ATQA response 216 to the first polling cycle and the amplitudes of the ATQA response 218 to the second polling cycle are substantially equal in amplitude. Specifically, controller 103 is configured to compare the amplitude difference between response 216 and response 218 with an amplitude threshold (not shown). In this example, the difference is less than the amplitude threshold. This has been found to indicate that the NFC responder is a physical NFC card 104. The amplitude threshold can be used to account for noise or expected variations.

[0062] Consider graph 203 showing the response of an electronic device simulating an NFC card. The amplitude of the ATQA response 217 for the first polling cycle has a lower amplitude than the amplitude of the ATQA response 219 for the second polling cycle. ATQA response 219 is received after the field strength has returned to amplitude 213 following the lower amplitude 209 of the initial portion 210. Again, controller 103 is configured to compare the amplitude difference 220 between response 217 and response 219 with an amplitude threshold (not shown). In this example, the difference exceeds the amplitude threshold. This has been found to indicate that the NFC responder is an electronic device simulating NFC cards 105, 106.

[0063] To provide further details, electronic devices 105 and 106 perform a Dynamic Load Modulation Amplitude (DLMA) process. In summary, the DLMA process results in a higher power response when the field strength of the polling cycle is low, and a lower power response when the field strength of the polling cycle is high. The lower amplitude portion 210 of the second polling cycle 207 leads the electronic devices to infer that the field strength of the second polling cycle 207 is weak, and therefore it should have a higher power response (with characteristics such as...). Figure 2The second polling cycle 207 includes a portion 212 after portion 210 and before the second response 219 is received, where the field strength 213 is increased. However, because the DLMA process occurring in the electronic device has ended, the electronic devices 105, 106 provide responses with larger amplitudes, even though the field strength increases after portion 210. The field strength 213 of portion 212 may be the same as or greater than the first field strength 208. Conversely, the response from the physical NFC card 104 will be associated with the field strength 213 provided at response 218, since the field of polling cycle 207 provides its energy to the physical NFC card to generate the response, while the electronic device uses its own battery power to generate response 219. Therefore, the duration of portion 210 is configured to be greater than the expected duration of the sampling phase of the DLMA process. In other words, the receiver is configured to receive the second response after the initial portion 210 and during the remainder of the second polling cycle where the field strength is similar to (e.g., having its predetermined threshold) the field strength of the first polling cycle.

[0064] Figure 3 Another embodiment is shown, wherein the first and second responses include anti-collision signals. Therefore, Figure 3 The ATQA responses labeled 216-219 are shown. However, in this example, the first and second responses used by controller 103 include anti-collision responses 316, 317, 318, and 319.

[0065] Transmitter 101 is configured to transmit multiple signal blocks 305, 306, and 307. In diagram 301, the signal blocks include an initial (also referred to as a third polling cycle for consistency with other examples, but shown before the first and second cycles) polling cycle 305, a first polling cycle 306, and a second polling cycle 307. The polling cycles can be configured according to the protocol defining NFC communication. As is well known to those skilled in the art of NFC, polling cycles 305, 306, and 307 include multiple polling commands. These polling commands can include wake-up commands instructing any nearby NFC tag, card, or device to wake up and respond; in this art, these are referred to as WUPA commands.

[0066] Therefore, in polling loop 305, there are WUPA wake-up command 302A replied by the NFC responder (the second line adjacent to line 302A is shown as a response, which is shown more clearly in graphs 302 and 303) and anti-collision command 302B replied by the NFC responder (the second line adjacent to line 302B is shown as a response, which is shown more clearly in graphs 302 and 303).

[0067] In polling loop 306, there are WUPA wake-up command 303A responded by the NFC responder (the second line adjacent to line 303A is shown as representing response 216 or 217, which is shown more clearly in graphs 302 and 303) and anti-collision command 303B responded by the NFC responder (the second line adjacent to line 303B is shown as representing response 316 or 317, which is shown more clearly in graphs 302 and 303).

[0068] In polling loop 307, there are WUPA wake-up command 304A responded by the NFC responder (the second line adjacent to line 304A is shown as representing response 218 or 219, which is shown more clearly in graphs 302 and 303) and anti-collision command 304B responded by the NFC responder (the second line adjacent to line 304B is shown as representing response 318 or 319, which is shown more clearly in graphs 302 and 303).

[0069] In the current example, in polling loops 306 and / or 307, ATQA commands are provided in part 310 of the polling loop, which is provided with a second field strength 309 that is different from part 312 of the polling loop, which includes anti-collision commands 303B and 304B.

[0070] Considering graph 302 showing the response from a physical card, the amplitudes of the anti-collision response 316 for the first polling cycle 306 and the anti-collision response 318 for the second polling cycle 307 are substantially equal in amplitude. Specifically, controller 103 is configured to compare the amplitude difference between responses 316 and 318 with an amplitude threshold (which can be set at a level different from or the same as the level used for ATQA signal responses). In this example, the difference 320 between the amplitudes of responses 316 and 318 is less than the amplitude threshold. This has been found to indicate that the NFC responder is a physical NFC card 104. The amplitude threshold can be used to account for noise or expected variations.

[0071] Consider graph 303 showing the response of an electronic device simulating an NFC card. The amplitude of the anti-collision response 317 for the first polling cycle has a higher amplitude than the amplitude of the anti-collision response 319 for the second polling cycle. Specifically, controller 103 is configured to compare the amplitude difference 320 between responses 317 and 319 with an amplitude threshold (not shown). In this example, the difference exceeds the amplitude threshold. This has been found to indicate that the NFC responder is an electronic device simulating NFC cards 105, 106.

[0072] It should be understood that the mobile phone will provide responses 316, 317, 318, 319, and the NFC 13.56MHz reader signal. The signal received by receiver 102 will be the sum of the response and reader signals. Because receiver 102 is receiving the sum of signals and responses 216-219 and 316-319 can be issued by the electronic device at different times, the summation can result in signal superposition or partial cancellation. Therefore, it has been recognized that a change (the change is not always an increase or decrease in amplitude) indicates that the NFC responder is an electronic device.

[0073] It has also been recognized that the phase difference in the response can indicate whether the NFC responder is an electronic device simulating an NFC card or a physical NFC card. Device 100 can use one or both of the amplitude difference and the phase difference to distinguish between physical NFC cards and simulating NFC cards.

[0074] Figure 4 and 5 The phase difference used to distinguish NFC responders is shown.

[0075] Figure 4 The first graph 401 shows the I component of the first, second, and third responses to the corresponding polling loop (or its command).

[0076] Figure 4 A second graph 402 is also shown, showing the Q components of the first, second, and third responses to the corresponding polling loop (or its commands).

[0077] In the current example, the phase can be measured relative to a predetermined reference point. However, as an example, for each set of signals received in response to a polling loop, the first step could be to obtain the I and Q component data of the signal received by receiver 102 for a specific polling loop. The second step could be to solve for the amplitude, where amplitude = sqrt(I*I + Q*Q). The third step could be to find the index (i.e., time, where the index is used to identify the value in the time-ordered data) where the maximum amplitude or amplitude peak is located. For example, multiple peaks may exist. To explain, let's assume that peaks are found at indices (or time positions) 1 and 9. The fourth step could be to calculate the phase values ​​corresponding to indices 1 and 9. Phase [at index 1] = arctan(Q component [at index 1] / I component [at index 1]), and similarly, phase [at index 9] = arctan(Q component [at index 9] / I component [at index 9]). Therefore, the current phase value in this loop is equal to the average of the phase [at index 1] and the phase [at index 9]. In summary, features (e.g., peaks) of the received data are identified based on predetermined feature criteria, and the phase is calculated based on the I and Q values ​​at the identified features.

[0078] exist Figure 4 In the example, the NFC responder is a physical NFC card. It has been found that the phases of the three responses are largely consistent across the polling loop. Therefore, the curves overlap.

[0079] As previously mentioned, phase may undergo expected changes, so the controller can use a predetermined phase threshold to account for these changes. Therefore, the controller 103 can be configured to compare the phase difference between any two responses with the phase threshold. If the difference is less than the phase threshold, the controller 103 can be configured to determine that the NFC responder is a physical NFC card.

[0080] Figure 5 The first graph 501 shows the I component of the first, second, and third responses to the corresponding polling loop (or its command).

[0081] Figure 5 A second graph 502 is also shown, showing the Q components of the first, second, and third responses to the corresponding polling loop (or its commands).

[0082] exist Figure 5 In the example, the NFC responder is an electronic device that simulates an NFC card. It has been found that, using this NFC responder, the phases of the three responses are inconsistent across the corresponding three polling loops.

[0083] Therefore, controller 103 can be configured to compare the phase difference between any two responses with a phase threshold. If the difference is greater than the phase threshold, controller 103 can be configured to determine that the NFC responder is an electronic device simulating an NFC card.

[0084] It should be understood that in any embodiment, if the presence of a physical NFC card is important for controlling (turning off or preventing activation) the wireless charger, the controller 103 may be configured to provide output only when it is determined that the NFC responder is a physical NFC card.

[0085] In some examples, the phase difference is more pronounced in either the in-phase component or the quadrature component of the response. Therefore, one or both of receiver 102 and controller 103 may be configured to determine the in-phase I component and quadrature Q component of the first response, as well as the I and Q components of the second response and any other response.

[0086] Therefore, the controller 103 can be configured to determine a first phase angle based on one or both of the I and Q components of the first response, and to determine a second phase angle based on one or both of the I and Q components of the second response. This is because the phase difference is based on the difference between the first and second phase angles derived from either the I or Q components.

[0087] In any of the examples, transmitter 101 may be configured to transmit a wake-up command as part of a polling loop, the wake-up command including instructions for an NFC responder to reply. Specifically, the wake-up command may be transmitted in the later portions 212, 312 of the second polling loops 207, 307, and receiver 102 is configured to receive a second response after the wake-up command.

[0088] In any of the examples, the controller 103 may be operational during the initialization of the wireless charger and / or during wireless charging. The controller 103 is configured to prevent activation or deactivate the wireless charging circuitry based on determining that the NFC responder includes a physical NFC card. However, if it is determined that no physical NFC card is present, the controller may provide wireless charging to continue or begin.

[0089] Furthermore, the controller 103 can be configured to activate the wireless charging circuit system 107 or not prevent activation of the wireless charging circuit system 107 based on determining that the NFC responder includes an electronic device 105, 106 that simulates an NFC card.

[0090] Figure 6 An example method for operating a device 100, such as a wireless charger, is shown. The method includes:

[0091] The transmitter transmits a first polling cycle consisting of multiple polling commands, 601, at a first field strength.

[0092] The receiver receives the first response of the first polling cycle from the NFC responder in response to 602.

[0093] The transmitter emits a second polling cycle comprising a plurality of polling commands, wherein the second polling cycle is emitted with a second field strength different from the first field strength for at least a portion of the duration of the second polling cycle;

[0094] The receiver receives a second response from the NFC responder in response to at least the second polling cycle, which is 604; and

[0095] The controller determines whether the 605NFC responder is an electronic device comprising a physical NFC card or an analog NFC card based on one or two of the following: (i) the amplitude difference between the amplitude of a first response and the amplitude of a second response relative to an amplitude threshold; and (ii) the phase difference between the phase of a first response and the phase of a second response relative to a phase threshold.

[0096] Figure 7 A non-transitory computer-usable medium 700 is shown, comprising computer program code configured to implement:

[0097] The transmitter sends a first polling cycle containing multiple polling commands at a first field strength.

[0098] The receiver receives the first response from the NFC responder in response to the first polling cycle.

[0099] A second polling cycle comprising multiple polling commands is transmitted by a transmitter, wherein the second polling cycle is transmitted with a second field strength different from the first field strength for at least a portion of the duration of the second polling cycle;

[0100] The receiver receives a second response from the NFC responder, replying to at least the second polling cycle; and

[0101] The controller determines whether the NFC responder is an electronic device comprising a physical NFC card or an analog NFC card based on one or two of the following: (i) the amplitude difference between the amplitude of a first response and the amplitude of a second response relative to an amplitude threshold; and (ii) the phase difference between the phase of a first response and the phase of a second response relative to a phase threshold.

[0102] Unless a specific order is explicitly stated, the instructions and / or flowchart steps in the above diagrams can be performed in any order. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that while an example set of instructions / methods has been discussed, the material in this specification can be combined in various ways to produce other examples, and should be understood within the context of the detailed description provided herein.

[0103] In some example embodiments, the instruction set / method steps described above are implemented as functional and software instructions embodied in an executable instruction set implemented on a computer or a machine programmed and controlled with said executable instructions. Such instructions are loaded to execute on a processor (e.g., one or more CPUs). The term processor includes a microprocessor, microcontroller, processor module or subsystem (including one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers), or other control or computing device. A processor may refer to a single component or multiple components.

[0104] In other examples, the instruction sets / methods illustrated herein, along with their associated data and instructions, are stored in appropriate storage devices, which are implemented as one or more non-transitory machine or computer-readable or computer-usable storage media. Such computer-readable or computer-usable storage media are considered part of an article (or article of manufacture). An article or article of manufacture may refer to any single or multiple components manufactured. Non-transitory machine or computer-usable media as defined herein do not include signals, but such media may be capable of receiving and processing information from signals and / or other transient media.

[0105] Example embodiments of the materials discussed in this specification may be implemented, wholly or in part, via networks, computers, or data-based devices and / or services. These may include cloud, internet, intranet, mobile devices, desktop computers, processors, lookup tables, microcontrollers, consumer devices, infrastructure, or other enabling devices and services. As may be used herein and in the claims, the following non-exclusive definitions are provided.

[0106] In one example, one or more instructions or steps discussed in this article are automated. The terms automation or automaticity (and similar variations) mean the use of computers and / or mechanical / electrical equipment to control the operation of devices, systems, and / or processes without human intervention, observation, effort, and / or decision-making.

[0107] It should be understood that any components that are alleged to be coupled may be directly or indirectly coupled or connected. In the case of indirect coupling, another component may be positioned between the two components that are alleged to be coupled.

[0108] In this specification, exemplary embodiments have been presented with respect to a selected set of details. However, those skilled in the art will understand that many other exemplary embodiments, including different selected sets of these details, can be practiced. It is intended that the appended claims cover all possible exemplary embodiments.

Claims

1. A device, characterized in that, include: A transmitter configured to transmit a first polling cycle including a plurality of polling commands at a first field strength, and to transmit at least a second polling cycle including a plurality of polling commands, wherein the second polling cycle is transmitted at a second field strength different from the first field strength for at least a portion of the duration of the second polling cycle. A receiver configured to receive a first response from a near-field communication (NFC) responder in response to the first polling cycle, and to receive a second response from the NFC responder in response to the at least second polling cycle; and The controller is configured to: An electronic device that determines whether the NFC responder comprises a physical NFC card or an analog NFC card is based on one or two of the following: (i) the amplitude difference between the amplitude of the first response and the amplitude of the second response relative to an amplitude threshold; And (ii) the phase difference between the phase of the first response and the phase of the second response relative to the phase threshold.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is configured to, Based on the fact that the amplitude difference between the amplitude of the first response and the amplitude of the second response is greater than the amplitude threshold, it is determined that the NFC responder is an electronic device that includes the simulated NFC card; and Based on the fact that the amplitude difference between the amplitude of the first response and the amplitude of the second response is less than the amplitude threshold, it is determined that the NFC responder includes the physical NFC card.

3. The device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that, The controller is configured to, Based on the fact that the phase difference between the phase of the first response and the phase of the second response is greater than the phase threshold, it is determined that the NFC responder is an electronic device that includes the analog NFC card; and Based on the fact that the phase difference between the phase of the first response and the phase of the second response is less than the phase threshold, it is determined that the NFC responder includes the physical NFC card.

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The device includes a wireless charging circuit system, and the wireless charging circuit system is controlled based on the electronic device that determines whether the NFC responder includes the physical NFC card or the analog NFC card.

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first response and the second response include a request for response (ATQA) signal.

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first response and the second response include anti-collision signals generated as part of an anti-collision algorithm.

7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The receiver is configured to determine the in-phase I component and quadrature Q component of the first response and the I component and Q component of the second response, and The controller is configured to determine a first phase angle based on one of the I and Q components of the first response, and to determine a second phase angle based on one of the I and Q components of the second response, wherein the phase difference is based on the difference between the first phase angle and the second phase angle.

8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The transmitter is configured to transmit a third polling loop comprising multiple polling commands at a third field strength, wherein the third polling loop transmits at a third field strength different from the first field strength for at least a portion of the duration of the third polling loop; and The electronic device that determines whether the NFC responder includes a physical NFC card or an analog NFC card is further based on one or both of the following: (i) the amplitude difference between the amplitude of the first response and the amplitude of the second and / or third response relative to an amplitude threshold; (ii) the phase difference between the phase of the first response relative to the phase threshold and the phase of the second and / or third response.

9. A method for operating equipment, characterized in that, include: The transmitter sends a first polling loop containing multiple polling commands at a first field strength. The receiver receives a first response from the NFC responder in response to the first polling cycle. The transmitter emits a second polling cycle comprising a plurality of polling commands, wherein the second polling cycle is emitted with a second field strength different from the first field strength for at least a portion of the duration of the second polling cycle; The receiver receives a second response from the NFC responder in response to at least the second polling cycle; as well as The controller determines whether the NFC responder is an electronic device comprising a physical NFC card or an analog NFC card based on one or two of the following: (i) the amplitude difference between the amplitude of the first response and the amplitude of the second response relative to an amplitude threshold; And (ii) the phase difference between the phase of the first response and the phase of the second response relative to the phase threshold.

10. A non-transitory computer-usable medium comprising computer program code, characterized in that, The computer program code is configured to implement: The transmitter sends a first polling loop containing multiple polling commands at a first field strength. The receiver receives a first response from the NFC responder in response to the first polling cycle. The transmitter emits a second polling cycle comprising a plurality of polling commands, wherein the second polling cycle is emitted with a second field strength different from the first field strength for at least a portion of the duration of the second polling cycle; The receiver receives a second response from the NFC responder in response to at least the second polling cycle; as well as The controller determines whether the NFC responder is an electronic device comprising a physical NFC card or an analog NFC card based on one or two of the following: (i) the amplitude difference between the amplitude of the first response and the amplitude of the second response relative to an amplitude threshold; And (ii) the phase difference between the phase of the first response and the phase of the second response relative to the phase threshold.

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