Adaptive state control for short-range communication modules

Abstract

A procedure in a computing device comprises: setting, at a controller of the computing device, an antenna of a wireless short-range communication assembly to a first state; receiving, at the controller, sensor data associated with an object adjacent to the computing device; determining, at the controller, whether the sensor data satisfy a criterion indicating that the object is a short-range communication device; and if the sensor data satisfy the criterion, setting the antenna to a second state.

Description

background

[0001] Computing devices, such as mobile computers, may be equipped with a near-field communication (NFC) antenna, for example, to emulate payment cards and / or implement point-of-sale functionality. However, operating the antenna can consume enough power to negatively impact device performance, for example, by reducing battery life. Brief description of the multiple views of the drawings

[0002] The accompanying figures, in which the same reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements in the individual views, are integrated into the specification together with the following detailed description and form a part thereof, serving to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention and to explain various principles and advantages of these embodiments. Fig. Figure 1 is a representation of a computing device. Fig. Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for adaptive state control for short-range communication modules. Fig. Figure 3 is a representation that provides an exemplary implementation of blocks 210 and 215 of the procedure of Fig. 2 illustrated. Fig. Figure 4 is a representation that shows another exemplary implementation of blocks 210 and 215 of the procedure of Fig. 2 illustrated. Fig. Figure 5 is a representation that shows another exemplary implementation of blocks 210 and 215 of the procedure of Fig. 2 illustrated.

[0003] Experts will recognize that elements in the figures are illustrated for the sake of simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve the understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

[0004] Where appropriate, the apparatus and process components have been represented by conventional symbols in the drawings, which show only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of the present invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that would be obvious to persons skilled in the art referring to the present description. Detailed description

[0005] Examples disclosed herein relate to a method in a computing device, the method comprising: setting, at a controller of the computing device, an antenna of a wireless short-range communication assembly to a first state; receiving, at the controller, sensor data associated with an object adjacent to the computing device; determining, at the controller, whether the sensor data satisfy a criterion indicating that the object is a short-range communication device; and if the sensor data satisfy the criterion, setting the antenna to a second state.

[0006] Additional examples disclosed herein are directed to a computing device comprising: a wireless short-range communication assembly including an antenna; a sensor; and a processor configured to: set the antenna to a first state; receive, from the sensor, sensor data associated with an object adjacent to the computing device; determine whether the sensor data satisfies a criterion indicating that the object is a short-range communication device; and if the sensor data satisfies the criterion, set the antenna to a second state.

[0007] Further examples disclosed herein relate to a method in a computing device, the method comprising: activating a rear-facing antenna of a wireless short-range communication assembly; receiving, at a controller of the computing device, sensor data associated with an object adjacent to the computing device; determining, at the controller, whether the sensor data satisfy a criterion indicating that the object is a short-range communication device; and if the sensor data satisfy the criterion, deactivating the antenna.

[0008] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a computing device 100, such as a mobile computer, a smartphone, or the like. The device 100 can be implemented in a variety of other form factors, including a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a barcode scanner, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, and the like.

[0009] Certain internal components of device 100 are in Fig. Figure 1 illustrates the device 100. The device 100 comprises a processor 104, such as a central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), or the like, connected to a non-transient computer-readable medium, such as a memory 108. The processor 104 and the memory 108 are implemented as one or more integrated circuits (ICs). The device 100 also comprises a communication interface 112, which enables communication between the device 100 and other computing devices via suitable wired and / or wireless connections, including any suitable combination of local area networks, wide area networks, and peer-to-peer connections.

[0010] The device 100 further comprises a display 116, such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED)-based display panel or another suitable panel. The display 116 is controllable by the processor 104 to display information, for example, for viewing by an operator of the device 100. In some examples, the device 100 may also include other output devices (e.g., devices configured to produce output perceptible to the operator of the device 100), such as a loudspeaker, a motor for haptic output, and the like. The device 100 further comprises one or more input devices, including a touch panel 120. In some examples, the touch panel 120 may be a capacitive panel integrated with the display 116. Other forms of touch panel, such as a resistive panel, may be used in other examples.As can be seen by those skilled in the art, the touch panel 120 can include a sensor grid that monitors changes in capacitance between layers of the panel 120 at any of a multitude of positions (e.g., tens of thousands of measuring points arranged in a grid above the display 116). Based on the magnitude and arrangement of capacitance changes reported by the grid, the processor 104 (or a controller integrated with the touch panel 120) can detect touch inputs.

[0011] The device 100 may include other inputs, including, for example, a camera 122 comprising a suitable image sensor and an associated optical assembly (e.g., one or more lenses, shutters, and the like) configured to capture images, e.g., color images. The camera 122 may be located on a front face of the device 100, e.g., on the same side of the device 100 as the display 116, such that the camera 122's field of view is directed toward objects on the same side of the device 100 as the display 116.

[0012] In some examples, the device 100 may also include further inputs, such as an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 124 with one or more accelerometers and / or gyroscopes. The IMU 124 can generate data representing a physical movement of the device 100, e.g., including the orientation of the device 100 relative to the one described in Fig. 1 position shown. For example, the IMU 124 can be configured to periodically (e.g. at a frequency of 30 Hz, although it is understood that any of a variety of other IMU update frequencies can also be implemented) generate orientation data, including a roll angle about an axis 125a, a pitch angle about an axis 125b and a yaw angle about an axis 125c, which indicate the current orientation of the device 100.

[0013] In some examples, the device 100 may include additional inputs, such as a magnetic proximity sensor (e.g., a Hall effect sensor, an inductive sensor, or the like) configured to generate a signal whose magnitude indicates the proximity of another conductive object to the device 100.

[0014] The device 100 also includes a wireless short-range communication assembly 126, such as a near-field communication (NFC) assembly or the like. The wireless short-range communication assembly 126 is configured to enable short-range (e.g., over distances of less than approximately 10 cm) exchange of information between the device 100 and other devices, such as payment terminals, other mobile computers, payment cards, or the like. For example, the device 100 can emulate a payment card via the assembly 126 and provide payment data to another computing device, such as a payment terminal. The device 100 can also collect payment data, for example, from payment cards or other devices that emulate payment cards.

[0015] The assembly 126 includes a controller 128 and at least one antenna. In the illustrated example, the assembly 126 includes a first antenna 132-1 and a second antenna 132-2, which are also referred to collectively as the antennas 132 and generally as one antenna 132. A similar nomenclature may be used elsewhere in the following for reference symbols with a common origin (e.g., "132") and letter suffixes (e.g., "-1" and "-2"). In some examples, the device 100 may include only one antenna 132. In other examples, the device 100 may include more than two antennas 132. The assembly 126 may include a circuit to selectively connect one or the other of the antennas 132 to the controller 128 in some examples. A switch can be integrated into the controller 128 or implemented as a discrete component between the controller 128 and the antennas 132.

[0016] The controller 128 can be configured to send and receive data via a selected antenna 132 at a frequency of approximately 13.5 MHz. Data received via the antenna 132 can be provided to the processor 104 by the controller 128, and data can be received at the controller 128 from the processor 104 for transmission via the antenna 132. The controller 128 can be implemented as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like. In some examples, the controller 128 can be implemented by the processor 104 (e.g., as a dedicated hardware section of the processor 104 or in software). As can be seen, the device 100 also includes various other components, such as an internal battery to power the [unclear text]. Fig. To supply power to the components shown in section 1.

[0017] The components of the device 100 can be supported by a housing 136. For example, as shown in cross-section S1 (simplified for illustrative purposes), the housing 136 can support the display 116 and the touch panel 120 on one side of the device 100 (e.g., the front of the device 100). An interior of the device 100, enclosed by the housing 136 and the display 116, can contain the other components of the device 100. For example, the device 100 can include a main board 140, such as a printed circuit board (PCB), or a plurality of PCBs, supporting the processor 104, the memory 108, and the communication interface 112. In some examples, the board 140 can also support the controller 128.

[0018] In this example, the antenna 132-1 is located "behind" the display 116, for example, between the display 116 and the mainboard 140. The antenna 132-1 can be configured to radiate through the display 116 instead of radiating away from the display 116 through a rear surface 144 of the housing 136. The antenna 132-1 can therefore be described as forward-facing. As shown in cross-section S1, a main radiation lobe 146-1 of the antenna 132-1 is directed through the display 116, essentially perpendicular to the plane of the display 116. A main radiation lobe 146-2 of the antenna 132-2 is directed through the rear surface 144 of the housing 136, essentially perpendicular to the rear surface 144. The antenna 132-2 can therefore be described as rear-facing. The radiation patterns of antennas 132-1 and 132-2 can be directed in essentially opposite directions, e.g. at an angle of about 180 degrees.In other examples, antenna 132-2 may have a radiation pattern angled at less than 180 degrees from that of antenna 132-1. For example, the radiation pattern of antenna 132-2 may be angled at least 45 degrees relative to that of antenna 132-1. Antenna 132-2 is located between the rear panel 144 of the enclosure 136 and the mainboard 140 and may be configured to radiate through the rear panel 144 instead of through the display 116. In other words, antennas 132-1 and 132-2 are configured to radiate in substantially opposite directions. The antenna 132-1 may be suitable for communication with other devices placed near the display 116, while the antenna 132-2 may be suitable for communication with other devices placed near the rear 144 of the device 100.

[0019] The controller 128 can be configured to implement a query process to detect other devices and initiate communication with them. For example, in implementations where the assembly 126 is an NFC assembly, the controller 128 can be configured to repeat a query cycle, such as according to specifications established by the NFC Forum. The query cycle can involve sending query signals at predetermined intervals and monitoring for responses to those signals, followed by monitoring for query signals from other devices. For example, the assembly 126 can send query signals to detect and / or receive data from nearby devices or items implementing various NFC standards (e.g., NFC Type A, Type B, Type F, or FeliCa at 424 kbit / s, Type F or FeliCa at 212 kbit / s, and the like).

[0020] The transmission of the aforementioned query signals consumes power. In devices where the assembly 126 is continuously active, the repeated transmission of query signals can negatively affect the battery life of the device 100. Furthermore, implementing the aforementioned query cycle in devices with two or more antennas 132 can lead to interference between the antennas 132 and / or can increase the complexity involved in controlling the antennas to mitigate interference. The device 100 is therefore configured to implement an adaptive state control process for the antennas 132, as discussed below. The adaptive state control process allows the assembly 126 to activate antenna 132-1 under certain conditions and to deactivate antenna 132-1 under other conditions (or to put antenna 132-1 into a low-power state).When the antenna 132-1 is deactivated or in a low-power state, the assembly 126 does not transmit any signals via the antenna 132-1, and the power consumption of the assembly 126 can therefore be reduced.

[0021] Memory 108 stores a variety of applications executable by Processor 104, including an NFC control application 148. The execution of this application by Processor 104 configures Processor 104 to implement the adaptive state control functionality described above. In some examples, the functionality described below as being implemented via the execution of Application 148 can be implemented by Controller 128 instead of Processor 104. For example, Application 148 can be implemented in the firmware of Controller 128. In other examples, the functionality discussed below can be shared between Processor 104 and Controller 128, with Processor 104 performing certain parts of the adaptive state control process and Controller 128 performing the remaining parts.In other examples, the functionality of application 148 can be implemented in a different hardware element separate from the processor 104 and the controller 128, such as another ASIC, an FPGA, or the like.

[0022] With reference to Fig. Figure 2 shows a method 200 for adaptive state control. The method 200 is described below in connection with its implementation in the device 100 and in particular by the processor 104 via the execution of the application 148 (or, as mentioned above, by the controller 128 via the execution of firmware or the like).

[0023] In block 205, device 100 is configured to set the antenna 132-1 of assembly 126 to an initial state. Block 205 can be executed when device 100 is powered on and / or when processor 104 receives an input to power on assembly 126 (e.g., from an operator of device 100). The initial state can be a low-power state, in which, for example, controller 128 disables power output to antenna 132-1 and does not initiate the aforementioned polling cycle or other transmissions via antenna 132-1. In implementations that include antenna 132-2, antenna 132-2 can be activated (e.g., set to an active state) in block 205. The state applied to the first antenna 132-1, together with the state applied to the second antenna 132-2, can be referred to as an antenna configuration.In some examples, setting the first state may involve activating the aforementioned switch to connect antenna 132-2 to controller 128 and disconnecting antenna 132-1 from controller 128. In other examples, the antenna configuration at block 205 may involve activating both antennas 132, for example, placing both antennas in a high-power or active state.

[0024] In block 210, the processor 104 and / or the controller 128 are configured to receive sensor data associated with one or more objects adjacent to the device 100. The sensor data received by block 210 may include data from the touch panel 120, indicating, for example, changes in capacitance for each of a multitude of positions on a grid defined by the touch panel 120. As is evident to a person skilled in the art, a change in capacitance for a given position on the touch panel 120 may indicate the presence of a nearby electrically conductive object (e.g., in contact with the display 116 or within a few centimeters of the display 116). More conductive objects, as well as smaller distances between the objects and the display 116, may result in larger changes in capacitance measured at the touch panel 120.

[0025] The sensor data obtained at Block 210 may include a set of capacitance measurements from the touch panel 120, for example, in the form of a grid of magnitude values, each indicating the magnitude of a change in capacitance detected at a specific position on the touch panel 120. The sensor data obtained at Block 210 may also include various other sensor data, for example, from one or more of the camera 122, the IMU 124, a proximity sensor (e.g., a magnetic proximity sensor), or the like. Examples of such additional sensor data are discussed further below.

[0026] In block 215, the device 100 is configured to determine whether the sensor data from block 210 meets a criterion indicating that an object near the touch panel 120 is a near-field communication device, such as another computing device, a payment card, or the like. As is apparent to a person skilled in the art, another near-field computing device, e.g., one with an NFC communication module, also includes one or more near-field antennas, which may be implemented as coils of wire and / or conductive traces. An NFC antenna can therefore be detected by the touch panel 120 if the NFC antenna is sufficiently close to the touch panel 120. However, various other objects can also be detected by the touch panel 120 (or, more generally, detected by the sensor data obtained at block 210).For example, the fingers of an operator of the device 100, keys or other metallic objects kept in a pocket, wallet or the like next to the device 100, and the like, can be represented in the sensor data from the touch panel 120.

[0027] At block 215, the device 100 therefore attempts to distinguish between sensor data indicating the absence of objects or the presence of objects that are likely not near-range communication devices, and objects that are likely to be near-range communication devices. The device 100 can extract one or more attributes of the sensor data from block 210 and determine whether the extracted attributes meet one or more predetermined criteria. If the extracted attributes do not meet the criteria, the determination at block 215 is negative, and the device 100 returns to block 210 to obtain further sensor data. The frequency at which block 210 is repeated can vary depending on the computing resources of the processor 104 and / or the controller 128 and on the input devices (e.g., the update frequency of the touch panel 120).

[0028] If the extracted attributes meet the criteria, the determination at block 215 is positive, and device 100 proceeds to block 220. At block 220, device 100 is configured to set antenna 132-1 to a second state. This second state may involve supplying power to antenna 132-1, for example, to initiate a polling cycle to communicate with the short-range communication device detected at block 215. At block 220, processor 104 and / or controller 128 may also set antenna 132-2 to a sleep state or otherwise interrupt the polling cycle at antenna 132-2. In other words, at block 220, device 100 can switch to an antenna configuration in which antenna 132-1 is active and antenna 132-2 is in a sleep state.In other examples, the second antenna configuration may involve disabling or placing the second antenna 132-2 in a sleep state without changing the state of the first antenna 132-1 (e.g., if the antenna 132-1 was already active in the first antenna configuration of block 205).

[0029] With reference to Fig. Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation of blocks 210 and 215. For example, as in the section above of Fig. As shown in Figure 3, an operator 300 of the device 100 touches the display 116. The operator's index finger can therefore be detected by the touch panel 120. The sensor data obtained at block 210 can include a grid of capacitance measurements, e.g., according to a coordinate system 304 that includes an area 308 corresponding to the position of the operator's index finger. The enlarged representation of the area 308 illustrates the magnitude of measured capacitance changes, with darker cells of the grid corresponding to larger changes in capacitance, e.g., due to a more conductive object nearby and / or an object physically closer to the touch panel 120. As can be seen by those skilled in the art, the nature of the sensor data can vary considerably and need not include a graphical representation, as shown in Figure 3. Fig. Figure 3 shows that, for example, the sensor data received by input panel 120 may, in some examples, include an array of numerical values.

[0030] In block 215, the device 100 can determine one or more attributes 312 from the sensor data, such as the size of a coherent set 316 of capacitance changes above a predetermined threshold. For example, in Fig. 3. If the four darkest capacitance measurements exceed the threshold value above, the device 100 can determine a physical area of ​​these measurements (e.g., 12 square millimeters). It is understood that the area attribute can be replaced and / or supplemented by a number of measurements above the threshold, one or more other dimensions of these measurements, or the like. The device 100 can also determine other attributes, such as a center point of the aforementioned connected set, expressed in coordinates in the coordinate system 304.

[0031] The device 100 can further determine at block 215 whether the attributes 312 satisfy one or more criteria. For example, the device 100 can determine whether the center of the set 316 is located within a predetermined area 320 in the coordinate system 304. Given the placement of the antenna 132-1 behind the area 320 (as in Fig. (1 to be seen) objects detected outside range 320 may, for example, be less likely to be other short-range communication devices. Device 100 can also determine, for example, whether the size (or other suitable dimension) of sentence 316 exceeds a predetermined threshold (e.g., a threshold in square millimeters, selected to filter out objects such as fingertips or the like). If sentence 316 is below this threshold, or if the center of sentence 316 is outside range 320, the determination at block 215 is negative.

[0032] Fig. Figure 4 illustrates another exemplary implementation of blocks 210 and 215. Fig. Figure 4 shows that a device, such as a payment card 400, is held close to or tapped against the display 116. The card 400 includes an embedded antenna 404, e.g., a coil of conductive traces, wire, or the like. As in the lower section of Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the processor 104, in response to the card 400 approaching the display 116, can receive sensor data from the input panel 120, including capacitance measurements shown in the enlarged area 408, and can determine attributes 412, such as the coordinates of a center 414 of the capacitance measurements that exceed a threshold, and the size of these capacitance measurements (e.g., an area, although, as mentioned above, other dimensions can also be determined). In this example, the center 414 is within area 320, and the area determined at block 215 (e.g., 176 mm) is... 2The value exceeds the threshold range. Therefore, the test result for block 215 is positive.

[0033] With renewed reference to Fig. 2. After applying the second antenna configuration, e.g., to set antenna 132-1 to the second state (e.g., enabled for querying) and antenna 132-2 to a sleep or disabled state, device 100 is configured at block 225 to determine whether a communication session with another device is complete. The communication session might involve, for example, the exchange of payment information to complete a transaction. In other examples, the communication session might involve the exchange of a variety of other data. For example, device 100 might receive and / or send authentication data (e.g., a device identifier, a cryptographic key, or the like), element identification data (e.g., for reading an identifier from an RFID tag), and the like to the other device.

[0034] If the determination at block 225 is positive, device 100 returns to block 205 to return antenna 132-1 to the first state. If the determination at block 225 is negative, device 100 can determine at block 230 whether a timeout period has elapsed since the execution of block 220. In other words, device 100 can start a timer when antenna 132-1 is set to the second state. The timer can be based on an expected completion time for a short-range communication, such as a label read, a payment transaction, or the like. For example, the timeout period can be between one second and five seconds (although shorter or longer periods can be implemented in other examples). The elapse of the timeout period before a communication is completed can indicate that the detection at block 215 was a false positive, for example.that an object represented in the sensor data from block 210 likely appeared to be a communication device, but was not. A positive determination at block 230 allows device 100 to return to block 205, thereby reducing the time that antenna 132-1 actively polls when a suitable target for such a poll is unlikely to be within range. If the determination at block 230 is negative, device 100 returns to block 225.

[0035] In further examples, the device 100, as mentioned above, can receive additional sensor data at block 210, such as one or more images from the camera 122, captured essentially simultaneously with the data from the touch panel 120. The sensor data can include, in addition to or instead of the touch panel data and / or images, orientation data from the IMU 124 and / or sensor data from a proximity sensor. The device 100 can be configured to determine attributes from each of the aforementioned types of sensor data and to compare these attributes against appropriate criteria. For example, the device 100 can be configured to compare its orientation against a predetermined range of roll, pitch, and yaw angles that are likely to indicate that the device 100 is being held against another near-field communication device.In further examples, the device can detect 100 objects in images from the camera 122 and determine the sizes and / or shapes of such objects in order to compare them with target sizes and / or shape ranges.

[0036] Further examples can be found by referring to Fig. 5. The sensor data obtained at block 210 are combined and provided to a classifier, which is executed by the processor 104 and / or the controller 128, to determine whether the sensor data are likely to indicate a short-range communication device near the display 116. For example, as shown in Fig.As shown in Figure 5, the device 100 receives attributes 312 from touch panel data as well as an image 500 from the camera 122, e.g., in the form of an array of pixels p11, p12, and so on. Each pixel can contain, for example, numerical values ​​for red, green, and blue channels (or another suitable color space). The device 100 can also receive, for example, orientation data 504 specifying roll, pitch, and yaw angles. The device 100 can be configured at block 215 to run a classifier, such as a neural network trained on labeled samples of sensor data obtained with near-range communication devices in the vicinity of the device 100 and other labeled samples of sensor data obtained without near-range communication devices in the vicinity of the device 100. The classifier, which is implemented, for example, as a component of application 148, can receive combined input data, e.g., B.in the form of a vector 508, composed of sensor data 412, 500, and 504, and can be configured to determine a classification 512 (e.g., "NFC" for a likely NFC device or "other" for an object that is unlikely to be another near-field communication device) based on the sensor data. The classification 512 may include a confidence value, expressed, for example, as a percentage in this example. The determination at block 215 can be positive if the class corresponds to a near-field communication device and the confidence exceeds, for example, a predetermined threshold (e.g., 75%, although the threshold can have a variety of other values).

[0037] Specific embodiments have been described in the foregoing specification. However, a person skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and the figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense, and all such modifications are to be included within the scope of the present teachings.

[0038] The benefits, advantages, problem solutions, and any element(s) that may lead to or enhance a benefit, advantage, or solution shall not be construed as critical, necessary, or essential features or elements of any claim or all claims. The invention is defined exclusively by the attached claims, including all amendments made during the pendency of this application, and all equivalents of these claims as granted.

[0039] Furthermore, in this document, relational expressions such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual relationship or order of such entities or actions. The expressions "includes," "comprising," "has," "including," "containing," "incorporating," "including," or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, procedure, article, or device that includes, has, contains, or includes a list of elements may not only include those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such process, procedure, article, or device. An element that "includes," "has," orThe phrases "...a", "includes ...a", or "contains ...a" do not, without further limitations, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes, has, incorporates, or contains the element. The terms "a" and "a" are defined as one or more unless expressly stated otherwise herein. The terms "essentially", "generally", "approximately", "about", or any other version thereof are defined to approximate the understanding of the person skilled in the art, and in one non-restrictive embodiment, the term is defined as being within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1%, and in yet another embodiment within 0.5%.The term "coupled," as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is "configured" in a particular way is configured at least in that way, but may also be configured in ways not listed.

[0040] Certain expressions may be used herein to list combinations of elements. Examples of such expressions include: "at least one of A, B, and C"; "one or more of A, B, and C"; "at least one of A, B, or C"; "one or more of A, B, or C". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the foregoing expressions include any combination of A and / or B and / or C.

[0041] It is understood that some embodiments may include one or more specialized processors (or “processing devices”), such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, custom processors, and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and unique stored program instructions (including both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuitry, some, most, or all of the functions of the method and / or device described herein. Alternatively, some or all of the functions could be implemented by a state machine that does not have any stored program instructions, or in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) in which each function, or some combinations of certain functions, are implemented as custom logic.Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used.

[0042] Furthermore, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium containing computer-readable code for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform a method described and claimed herein. Examples of such computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (read-only memory), a PROM (programmable read-only memory), an EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory), an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), and flash memory.Furthermore, it is expected that an average professional, regardless of possible considerable effort and many design decisions motivated, for example, by available time, current technology and economic considerations, guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein, will be readily able to produce such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

[0043] The summary of disclosure is provided to enable the reader to quickly determine the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it is not intended to be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Additionally, it is apparent from the detailed description above that various features in different embodiments have been grouped together for the purpose of simplifying the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly stated in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the following claims, the inventive step lies in fewer than all the features of any single disclosed embodiment.Therefore, the following claims are hereby included in the detailed description, each claim being a separate subject matter claimed on its own.

Claims

[1] Method in a computing device, the method comprising: Setting, on a controller of the computing device, an antenna of a wireless short-range communication assembly to a first state; Received, at the control, from sensor data assigned to an object adjacent to the computing device; Determine, at the control unit, whether the sensor data meets a criterion indicating that the object is a short-range communication device; and If the sensor data meets the criterion, the antenna is set to a second state. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein adjusting the antenna to the first state includes adjusting the antenna to a low-power state. [3] Method according to claim 2, further comprising: If the sensor data meets the criterion, a second antenna of the computing device is deactivated. [4] Method according to claim 1, wherein adjusting the antenna to the second state includes controlling the antenna to initiate a query cycle for communicating with the short-range communication device. [5] The method of claim 4, further comprising: Determine that communication with the short-range communication device is complete; and Adjust the antenna to the first state. [6] The method of claim 4, further comprising: Determine that a time period has elapsed before the communication with the short-range communication device is completed; and Adjust the antenna to the first state. [7] Method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining the sensor data includes: Determining the position and size of an object detected by the sensor. [8] Method according to claim 7, wherein determining whether the sensor data correspond to a short-range communication device comprises: Determine whether the position and / or size meet the criterion. [9] The method of claim 7, wherein obtaining the sensor data further comprises at least one of: (i) Obtaining an image from a camera of the computing device, (ii) Obtaining an orientation of the computing device from an inertial measurement unit (IMU), (iii) Obtaining a proximity measurement from a magnetic sensor. [10] Method according to claim 9, wherein determining whether the sensor data correspond to a short-range communication device comprises: Executing a classifier based on the sensor data to generate a probability that the sensor data matches the near-field communication device. [11] Computing device comprising: a wireless short-range communication assembly that includes an antenna; a sensor; and a processor configured to: Setting the antenna to a first state; Received from the sensor, from sensor data assigned to an object adjacent to the computing device; Determine whether the sensor data meets a criterion indicating that the object is a short-range communication device; and If the sensor data meets the criterion, the antenna is set to a second state. [12] Computing device according to claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to adjust the antenna to the first state by setting the antenna to a low-power state. [13] Computing device according to claim 12, wherein the wireless short-range communication assembly further comprises a second antenna; and wherein the processor is configured to deactivate the second antenna of the computing device when the sensor data meet the criterion. [14] Computing device according to claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to set the antenna to the second state by controlling the antenna in order to initiate a polling cycle to communicate with the short-range communication device. [15] Computing device according to claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to: Determine that communication with the short-range communication device is complete; and Adjust the antenna to the first state. [16] Computing device according to claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to: Determine that a time period has elapsed before the communication with the short-range communication device is completed; and Adjust the antenna to the first state. [17] Computing device according to claim 11, wherein the sensor includes a touch panel; and wherein the processor is configured to receive the sensor data by: Determining the position and size of an object detected by the touch panel. [18] Computing device according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the sensor data correspond to a short-range communication device, by: Determine whether the position and / or size meet the criterion. [19] Computing device according to claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to obtain the sensor data by at least one of: (i) Obtaining an image from a camera of the computing device, (ii) Obtaining an orientation of the computing device from an inertial measurement unit (IMU), or (iii) Obtaining a proximity measurement from a magnetic sensor. [20] Computing device according to claim 19, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the sensor data correspond to a short-range communication device, by: Executing a classifier based on the sensor data to generate a probability that the sensor data matches the near-field communication device. [21] Method in a computing device, the method comprising: Activating a rear-facing antenna of a wireless short-range communication assembly; Received, at a control of the computing device, from sensor data assigned to an object adjacent to the computing device; Determine, at the control unit, whether the sensor data meets a criterion indicating that the object is a short-range communication device; and If the sensor data meets the criterion, deactivate the antenna. [22] The method of claim 21, further comprising: If the sensor data meets the criterion, activate a forward-facing antenna of the wireless short-range communication assembly. [23] Method according to claim 21, wherein the sensor data includes a position and a size of an object, which are detected by a touch panel of the computing device.

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