Apple awarded patent for RFID tag reader in touchscreen devices

A patent recently granted to Apple detailing a method of incorporating a Radio Frequency Identification tag reader into the screen of a portable touchscreen device in order to save space has furthered speculation that Apple plans to add RFID features to the iPhone.

The patent, entitled "Touch Screen RFID Tag Reader," describes "the efficient incorporation of RFID circuitry within touch sensor panel circuitry. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published the filing on Tuesday.

RFID allows devices to sense embedded chips in nearby objects without the requirement of contact or a visible line of sight.

In the filing, Apple documents a process by which the touch sensor panel of a device can be modified to double as an "RFID transponder," thereby eliminating the need for a "space-consuming RFID antenna."

According to the invention, loops for the antenna of the RFID circuit can be formed from "metal on the same layer as metal traces form in the borders of a substrate" without requiring a separate metal layer.

Michael Nathaniel Rosenblatt and Steve Porter Hotelling are listed as inventors of the patent.

Apple's method for employing RFID tag reader technology within a touchscreen joins a growing collection of RFID patent applications, which include the invention of a mobile "ID App" for reading RFID tags and a method of using RFID to sense and connect to WiFi networks.

The proposed "ID App" would utilize an RFID reader, camera and an IR image capture device to identify objects, such as a painting in a museum, and search a set of databases to gather more information.

In August last year, rumors emerged that Apple was planning to bring near field communications technology, such as RFID, to the next-generation iPhone. Further evidence of Apple's alleged plans for an RFID-capable iPhone came in October of last year when reports suggested that an Apple partnership with chip manufacturer Gemalto could pave the way for contactless transactions on the iPhone via RFID.

In January, AppleInsider discovered a job listing for an iPhone hardware engineer with RFID experience. It has been suggested that Apple will implement an e-wallet feature to take advantage of the rumored NFC-capabilities in future iOS devices.

Analyst Brian White with Ticonderoga Securities claimed in February that the next iPhone will utilize NFC for a 'unique' twist that would go beyond just e-wallet functionality. After a suprising contrary report suggested that NFC would not make it into the next iPhone, Forbes reported in March that, according to a trustworthy source in the NFC market, the iPhone 5 will indeed have NFC contactless capabilities.

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• RFID

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Previous Comments View All

feynman

04/20/2011 01:51 AM

This patent will be worth gold as no other cell phone will be able to utilize RFID...or am I mistaken?

solipsism

04/20/2011 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feynman

This patent will be worth gold as no other cell phone will be able to utilize RFID...or am I mistaken?

Other phones already have RFID though Im not sure how this patent varies form their installation.

nkalu

04/20/2011 02:04 AM

Others will copy without innovating and without thinking it through before rushing it to the market to compete with Apple.

tawilson

04/20/2011 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feynman

This patent will be worth gold as no other cell phone will be able to utilize RFID...or am I mistaken?

I think the main take away from this, is that the RFID antenna/circuit is built around the display in an existing metal layer, something no other manufacturer is doing.

Other manufacturers either are, or will now have to, take up extra space within the device for this dedicated function.

As usual, this is an example of elegant integration of existing technologies in a new and innovative way.

Before all the trolls jump in, remember this is not a patent on RFID in mobile devices, this is a patent on "integration of RFID tech into the touchscreen of a mobile device" (i.e. a specific implementation, rather than a trolling vague concept.

sennen

04/20/2011 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tawilson

I think the main take away from this, is that the RFID antenna/circuit is built around the display in an existing metal layer, something no other manufacturer is doing.

Other manufacturers either are, or will now have to, take up extra space within the device for this dedicated function.

As usual, this is an example of elegant integration of existing technologies in a new and innovative way.

Before all the trolls jump in, remember this is not a patent on RFID in mobile devices, this is a patent on "integration of RFID tech into the touchscreen of a mobile device" (i.e. a specific implementation, rather than a trolling vague concept.

Very nicely stated.

tawilson

04/20/2011 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sennen

Very nicely stated.

Why thank you. Rather pround of it, given that it was written at 7AM

gatorguy

04/20/2011 05:53 AM

Since you haven't seen either the methods that other smartphone manufacturers are/will be using to implement the feature, nor even if Apple will use this patent, it's a bit early for a pat on the back. I think all these guys are into 'space-saving"

mac-sochist

04/20/2011 06:46 AM

I still don't get this whole concept. If your wrist is too weak to run a nearly weightless card through a slot, how is it not too weak to wave a several-ounce phone around?

madhatter61

04/20/2011 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tawilson

I think the main take away from this, is that the RFID antenna/circuit is built around the display in an existing metal layer, something no other manufacturer is doing.

Other manufacturers either are, or will now have to, take up extra space within the device for this dedicated function.

As usual, this is an example of elegant integration of existing technologies in a new and innovative way.

Before all the trolls jump in, remember this is not a patent on RFID in mobile devices, this is a patent on "integration of RFID tech into the touchscreen of a mobile device" (i.e. a specific implementation, rather than a trolling vague concept.

Excellent observation. I am curious about this whole feature. I can see where inventory control would be great. This fits in nicely with product identification and registration as well.

I am a bit concerned about competing with credit cards however ... do we really want the carriers involved more with our bank accounts? I would like feedback on this issue.

gatorguy

04/20/2011 07:48 AM

It's not just the carriers that want to get involved with payment processing. Apple wants a piece of each transaction as does Google, Microsoft, the banks, Visa, Mastercard, etc. They're all going to be fighting over the opportunity to charge you a fee every time you use your phone (or other mobile device) to swipe a payment. One is hoping they'll be the standard that all others follow.