Systems and method for close proximity communication

Abstract

A system and method for close proximity communication is disclosed. The method comprises detecting a signal transmitted by a close proximity communication (CPC) device at a distance of one of greater than and less than a CPC detection perimeter with a multi-mode magnetic induction communication (MMMIC) device having at least one antenna. The type of device transmitting the detected signal is identified. The MMMIC device is enabled to communicate with the close proximity communication device at one of the distance of greater than the CPC detection perimeter and less than the CPC detection perimeter based on the type of device that is identified.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for close proximity communication, comprising:
 detecting a signal transmitted by a close proximity communication (CPC) device at one of a distance of greater than or less than a CPC detection perimeter with a multi-mode magnetic induction communication (MMMIC) device with at least one antenna;   identifying the type of device transmitting the detected signal;   enabling the MMMIC device to communicate with the close proximity communication device at one of the distance of greater than the CPC detection perimeter and the distance of less than the CPC detection perimeter based on the type of device that is identified.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting a signal transmitted by a close proximity communication (CPC) device further comprises:
 detecting the signal using magnetic induction diversity selected from at least two orthogonal antennas at the MMIC device; and   selecting a magnetic induction diversity scheme for the MMMIC device to communicate based on the distance selected over which to communicate with the identified device   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting a signal transmitted by the close proximity communication device further comprises detecting a signal transmitted by a device compliant with a standard selected from the group consisting of an ISO 14443A standard, an ISO 14443B standard. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising enabling the MMMIC device to communicate with the close proximity communication device at one of the distance of greater than the CPC detection perimeter and the distance of less than the CPC detection perimeter based on an amount of a financial transaction to be completed between the MMMIC device and the close proximity communication device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising enabling the MMMIC device to communicate with the close proximity communication device at one of the distance of greater than the CPC detection perimeter and the distance of less than the CPC detection perimeter based on a desired security level for information communicated between the MMMIC device and the close proximity communication device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising querying a user for credential information when the desired security level is greater than a predetermined level and the distance is greater than the CPC detection perimeter. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising setting the amount of the financial transaction at which the MMMIC device can communicate with the close proximity communication device at the distance of greater than the CPC detection perimeter. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising enabling the MMMIC device to communicate with the close proximity communication device at the distance of less than the CPC detection perimeter when the close proximity communication device is identified as a point of sale terminal. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising enabling the MMMIC device to communicate with the close proximity communication device at the distance of greater than the CPC detection perimeter when the close proximity communication device is identified as an advertising terminal. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising enabling the MMMIC device to communicate with the close proximity communication device at the distance of greater than the CPC detection perimeter when the close proximity communication device is identified as not being a point of sale terminal. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising placing the MMMIC device in compliance with the NFC specification when the MMMIC device is communicating with the close proximity communication device at the distance of less than the CPC detection perimeter. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising placing the MMMIC device in compliance with the NFC specification while selected secure information is communicated, and then enabling the MMMIC device to communicate at the distance of greater than the CPC detection perimeter to communicate selected non-secure information to one of an NFC compliant device and a non-NFC compliant device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting one of the at least two antennas to communicate with the close proximity communication device at the distance of less than the CPC detection perimeter, wherein the antenna selected is a most inefficient antenna of the at least two antennas. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting one of the at least two antennas to communicate with the close proximity communication device at the distance of less than the CPC detection perimeter, where the antenna selected is not a most efficient antenna of the at least two antennas. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising enabling the MMMIC device to communicate with the close proximity communication device based on the type of device that is identified at the distance of greater than the CPC detection perimeter and at a distance that is less than the near field region. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein selecting a magnetic induction diversity scheme for the MMMIC device further comprises selecting a single antenna when communicating at the distance of less than the CPC detection perimeter. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein selecting a magnetic induction diversity scheme for the MMMIC device further comprises selecting one of the at least two antennas to communicate with the close proximity communication device at the distance of less than the CPC detection perimeter while simultaneously communicating with an additional near field magnetic inductive (NFMI) communication device using at least one other of the at least two antennas. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the CPC detection perimeter is about 10 cm. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the CPC detection perimeter is about 20 cm. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the CPC detection perimeter is about 50 cm.