{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853677","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853677","title":"Method for controlling the tuning to a communications frequency of an antenna connected to a component designed for contactless communication and corresponding system","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2015-12-18T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04B","H04B","H04B","H04B"],"num_claims":32,"abstract":"A system includes an antenna, and a contactless component for receiving and/or transmitting information via the antenna according to a contactless communications protocol. An inductive-capacitive network is connected between the antenna and the contactless component and includes a configurable filter for filtering electromagnetic interference. A processor modifies an impedance of the configurable filter for filtering electromagnetic interference to control frequency tuning of the antenna."},"analysis":{"summary":"The patent, \"Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System\" (US-9853677), introduces a critical advancement in contactless communication technology. Its core innovation lies in dynamically optimizing antenna performance to overcome challenges posed by electromagnetic interference (EMI) and environmental variables.\n\nThe primary problem this invention solves is the inherent unreliability and inconsistency often experienced in contactless interactions, such as those using NFC or RFID protocols. Traditional systems with fixed antenna tuning are susceptible to signal degradation when exposed to external noise or changes in proximity to other objects, leading to failed transactions or inefficient data transfer.\n\nThe key technical approach involves a system comprising an antenna, a contactless communication component, and a sophisticated inductive-capacitive (LC) network. Crucially, this LC network integrates a *configurable filter* whose impedance can be actively modified. A dedicated processor continuously monitors the communication environment and adjusts the impedance of this configurable filter. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to precisely control the antenna's frequency tuning, ensuring it always operates at its optimal communications frequency and effectively filters out electromagnetic interference.\n\nThe business value and applications of this technology are substantial. It promises significantly enhanced reliability and efficiency for a wide range of contactless applications, including payment systems, access control, logistics, and IoT devices. By minimizing communication failures and improving signal integrity, this innovation can lead to faster transaction times, reduced operational costs, and superior user experiences. For instance, in retail, it means fewer failed tap-to-pay attempts, while in supply chain management, it ensures more accurate and consistent RFID tracking.\n\nThe market opportunity for this patent is vast, encompassing any sector reliant on robust contactless communication. As the demand for seamless and dependable wireless interactions continues to grow, this intelligent antenna tuning system provides a foundational technology for next-generation devices, offering a competitive edge through superior performance and reliability in increasingly noisy RF environments.","layman_explanation":"### What Problem Does This Solve?\n\nImagine you're trying to use your phone to pay for coffee, or perhaps scanning an ID badge to enter your office, and it just doesn't work. You tap, nothing happens, you try again, maybe it works, maybe it doesn't. This inconsistency is a common frustration with many 'tap-and-go' or contactless technologies like NFC (Near Field Communication) and RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification). The core business problem here is unreliability. When these systems fail, it leads to lost sales, wasted time, security vulnerabilities, and a generally poor user experience. The issue often stems from electromagnetic interference (EMI) – essentially, electronic 'noise' from other devices or even environmental factors that disrupt the signal between your device and the reader. Current solutions often use fixed antenna designs, which are like trying to listen to a radio station with a broken tuner; it might work sometimes, but it can't adapt to clear up the static.\n\n### How Does It Work?\n\nThe Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System patent introduces a clever solution, making contactless communication much more robust. Think of your device's antenna as a musical instrument that needs to be perfectly tuned to play a specific note (the communication frequency). In a noisy room (full of EMI), that instrument can sound off-key. This innovation adds a 'smart tuner' to the instrument. This 'smart tuner' is an inductive-capacitive (LC) network with a special 'configurable filter' inside. This filter isn't fixed; it's dynamic, meaning it can change its properties. A small 'brain' (a processor) constantly listens to how well the instrument is playing (the signal quality). If it hears static or a bad connection, the brain instantly tells the configurable filter to adjust itself, like tightening or loosening a string on the instrument, until the perfect note (the optimal frequency) is achieved and the static is filtered out. This happens automatically and in real-time, ensuring a clear, strong connection even when the environment changes.\n\n### Why Does This Matter?\n\nThis technology matters because it transforms contactless communication from a sometimes-flaky convenience into a consistently reliable utility. For businesses, this translates directly into tangible benefits. In retail, fewer failed payments mean smoother customer experiences, faster queues, and ultimately, more completed transactions and higher revenue. In logistics, more reliable RFID tracking means accurate inventory, reduced errors, and optimized supply chains, leading to significant cost savings. For access control, it ensures seamless and secure entry without frustrating delays. This innovation provides a significant competitive advantage for companies adopting it, allowing them to offer superior products and services. It de-risks the deployment of contactless solutions in challenging environments, opening up new market opportunities and enhancing the overall return on investment (ROI) for contactless infrastructure.\n\n### What's Next?\n\nLooking ahead, this patent lays the groundwork for a new generation of highly dependable contactless devices. We can expect to see this technology integrated into a broader array of products, from next-gen smartphones and wearables to industrial sensors and smart city infrastructure. Its adaptive nature means it will be well-suited for the increasingly complex and crowded wireless environments of the future. For investors, this represents an opportunity to back technologies that solve fundamental infrastructure problems, enabling wider adoption and unlocking new capabilities for contactless interactions across almost every industry.","technical_analysis":"The patent \"Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System\" (US-9853677) addresses a fundamental challenge in contactless communication: maintaining optimal antenna performance in the presence of dynamic environmental conditions and electromagnetic interference (EMI). This invention provides a sophisticated, adaptive solution for antenna tuning, critical for the reliable operation of NFC, RFID, and other short-range wireless protocols.\n\n**Technical Architecture and Components:**\nAt the heart of this system is an integrated architecture comprising:\n1.  **Antenna:** The primary transducer for electromagnetic wave transmission and reception, designed for contactless communication protocols.\n2.  **Contactless Component:** This is the transceiver module responsible for processing and exchanging information via the antenna according to a specific contactless communication protocol (e.g., ISO/IEC 14443 for NFC, various ISO 18000 series for RFID).\n3.  **Inductive-Capacitive (LC) Network:** Connected between the antenna and the contactless component, this network is traditionally used for impedance matching to maximize power transfer. In this patent, it plays a more dynamic role.\n4.  **Configurable Filter:** Integrated within the LC network, this is the key innovation. Unlike static filters, this component has an impedance that can be actively varied. This variability allows it to function as an adaptive impedance matching circuit and an EMI suppression mechanism.\n5.  **Processor:** This intelligent unit is responsible for controlling the configurable filter. It monitors the communication environment and performance metrics, then calculates and applies the necessary impedance modifications to the filter.\n\n**Implementation Details and Algorithm Specifics:**\n The processor's control over the configurable filter's impedance is central to this technology. The filter's configurable nature implies the use of variable reactive components. These could be:\n*   **Varactor Diodes:** Voltage-controlled capacitors whose capacitance changes with applied reverse bias voltage. By controlling this voltage, the processor can alter the capacitive component of the filter.\n*   **MEMS Switches/Reconfigurable Inductors/Capacitors:** Micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) can be used to switch different inductor or capacitor values into the circuit, effectively changing the filter's characteristics. Reconfigurable inductors might use magnetic cores whose permeability can be altered.\n*   **Digital Potentiometers/Switched Capacitor Arrays:** For fine-grained control over resistance or capacitance in discrete steps.\n\nThe processor likely employs a closed-loop feedback control algorithm. It would monitor parameters such as Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Bit Error Rate (BER), or other signal quality metrics from the contactless component. Based on these measurements, the processor would execute an optimization algorithm (e.g., gradient descent, extremum seeking, or a lookup table approach based on environmental sensing) to determine the optimal impedance setting for the configurable filter. This process would continuously or periodically adjust the filter to maintain peak antenna tuning and effective EMI filtering.\n\n**Integration Patterns and Performance Characteristics:**\nThis system can be integrated directly into contactless reader or tag designs. The processor's control logic would be tightly coupled with the RF front-end. Performance characteristics include:\n*   **Enhanced Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR):** By actively filtering EMI, the system significantly improves the SNR, leading to more reliable data decoding.\n*   **Increased Communication Range and Reliability:** Optimal tuning ensures maximum power transfer and reception, extending effective communication range and reducing communication failures.\n*   **Adaptability:** The system can compensate for environmental changes (e.g., detuning caused by proximity to metal, dielectric loading by human tissue) and manufacturing variations.\n*   **Reduced Power Consumption:** Efficient tuning minimizes reflected power, potentially leading to lower power consumption for both the reader and the contactless component (tag).\n\n**Code-Level Implications:**\nFor embedded developers, this patent implies firmware development for the processor that includes:\n*   **RF Measurement Interface:** Drivers to interact with the contactless component to retrieve signal quality metrics.\n*   **Control Algorithm:** Implementation of the tuning algorithm (e.g., PID controller, state machine, machine learning model for complex scenarios).\n*   **Filter Control Interface:** Drivers to control the variable components of the configurable filter (e.g., DAC for varactor voltage, GPIO for MEMS switches). \n*   **Environmental Sensing (Optional):** Integration with ambient sensors (e.g., temperature, proximity) to pre-emptively adjust tuning.\n\nIn essence, this patent provides a robust framework for self-optimizing contactless communication systems, moving beyond passive RF design to an active, intelligent approach that ensures superior performance in challenging real-world scenarios.","business_analysis":"The \"Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System\" (US-9853677) patent represents a significant leap forward in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of contactless communication. Its business implications are substantial, addressing a widespread pain point across numerous industries that rely on NFC, RFID, and similar short-range wireless technologies.\n\n**Market Opportunity Size:**\nThe market for contactless technologies is vast and rapidly expanding. Global contactless payment transaction values are projected to reach trillions of dollars, while the RFID market is expected to exceed tens of billions. This patent addresses a fundamental performance bottleneck within these ecosystems. Any device or system that uses contactless communication – from smartphones and POS terminals to access control systems, smart logistics, and industrial IoT – stands to benefit. The total addressable market is therefore enormous, encompassing consumer electronics, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and security sectors. The innovation's ability to enhance performance in 'noisy' environments also opens up new applications in challenging industrial settings that were previously too unreliable for widespread contactless adoption.\n\n**Competitive Advantages:**\nThis patent offers a strong competitive advantage by enabling superior performance and reliability. Current solutions often suffer from signal degradation due to electromagnetic interference (EMI) or environmental factors, leading to frustrating user experiences and operational inefficiencies. This technology's dynamic antenna tuning, facilitated by a configurable filter and intelligent processor, provides:\n1.  **Enhanced Reliability:** Fewer failed transactions or data reads, leading to higher customer satisfaction and operational uptime.\n2.  **Increased Efficiency:** Faster and more consistent communication, streamlining processes like checkout, inventory management, and access validation.\n3.  **Wider Deployment Potential:** Enables reliable contactless operation in environments previously deemed unsuitable due to high interference.\n4.  **Reduced Support Costs:** Fewer technical issues related to communication failures mean lower customer support and maintenance expenses.\n5.  **Future-Proofing:** Adaptive systems are better positioned to handle evolving wireless standards and increasingly complex RF environments.\n\n**Revenue Potential and Business Models:**\nCompanies can leverage this patent in several ways to generate revenue:\n*   **Licensing:** Technology companies specializing in NFC/RFID chipsets, modules, or complete devices could license the patent to integrate this adaptive tuning capability into their product lines.\n*   **Product Differentiation:** Manufacturers of smartphones, wearables, POS terminals, and industrial RFID readers can market their products as 'ultra-reliable' or 'EMI-resistant,' commanding premium pricing and capturing market share.\n*   **Service Enhancement:** Solution providers in retail, logistics, and access control can offer more robust and dependable systems, leading to higher client satisfaction and retention.\n*   **New Product Development:** The patent could enable entirely new categories of contactless devices that require guaranteed performance in challenging conditions.\n\n**Strategic Positioning:**\nIntegrating this innovation allows companies to strategically position themselves as leaders in reliable and high-performance contactless technology. It moves them beyond simply offering contactless functionality to guaranteeing its efficacy. This is crucial as consumers and businesses increasingly expect seamless digital interactions. Companies adopting this technology can differentiate themselves in crowded markets, build stronger brand trust, and drive wider adoption of their contactless solutions.\n\n**ROI Projections:**\nThe return on investment for implementing this patent's technology can be significant. Quantifiable benefits include:\n*   **Reduced Transaction Failures:** Direct impact on revenue by minimizing lost sales due to payment issues.\n*   **Operational Cost Savings:** Improved efficiency in inventory management, asset tracking, and access control reduces labor costs and errors.\n*   **Enhanced Customer Loyalty:** A consistently smooth user experience translates into higher customer retention and positive brand perception.\n*   **Market Expansion:** Ability to penetrate new segments or geographies where environmental interference was previously a barrier. The cumulative effect of these improvements can lead to substantial ROI for businesses across various sectors, solidifying the Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System as a vital innovation.","faqs":[{"answer":"The Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System (US-9853677) is an innovative patent that describes a system designed to enhance the reliability and efficiency of contactless communication. It achieves this by dynamically adjusting an antenna's tuning to its optimal communications frequency.\n\nAt its core, this invention integrates an antenna with a contactless component via an inductive-capacitive (LC) network. The unique aspect is a configurable filter embedded within this LC network, whose impedance can be actively modified. This allows the system to continuously adapt to changing environmental conditions and mitigate interference.\n\nA dedicated processor acts as the intelligence, monitoring the communication environment and precisely controlling the configurable filter. This intelligent feedback loop ensures that the antenna is always operating at peak performance, providing a robust and stable connection for applications like NFC and RFID.\n\nIn essence, this patent provides a self-optimizing solution for wireless communication, moving beyond static designs to a dynamic system that guarantees signal integrity in real-world scenarios.\n\nKeywords: contactless communication, antenna tuning, configurable filter, dynamic impedance, patent US-9853677, NFC, RFID, signal integrity.","question":"What is Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System?"},{"answer":"The system described in the Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System patent operates through a sophisticated feedback mechanism to ensure optimal antenna tuning.\n\nFirst, an antenna is connected to a contactless communication component (which transmits and receives data) via an inductive-capacitive (LC) network. This LC network is not static; it contains a 'configurable filter' whose electrical properties, specifically its impedance, can be varied.\n\nSecond, a processor continuously monitors the quality of the communication signal and the surrounding electromagnetic environment. If it detects any degradation in signal quality, such as that caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI) or environmental detuning (e.g., proximity to metal or a human hand), it takes action.\n\nThird, the processor calculates the necessary adjustments and sends control signals to the configurable filter. This dynamically modifies the filter's impedance, which in turn precisely tunes the antenna to its optimal communications frequency. This adjustment also helps in actively filtering out the detected EMI, ensuring a clear and strong signal. This continuous, real-time adaptation is what makes the system exceptionally reliable.\n\nKeywords: dynamic tuning mechanism, configurable filter, processor control, impedance modification, electromagnetic interference, antenna resonance, feedback loop, contactless protocol.","question":"How does Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System work?"},{"answer":"The Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System patent primarily solves the problem of inconsistent and unreliable performance in contactless communication systems. This unreliability stems from several key issues.\n\nFirstly, contactless antennas are highly susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI) from surrounding electronic devices, power lines, or even other wireless signals. This 'noise' can corrupt the communication signal, leading to failed transactions or data transfers.\n\nSecondly, the optimal tuning of an antenna can change dynamically based on its environment. Proximity to metallic objects, dielectric loading by human tissue, or variations in temperature can cause the antenna to detune from its ideal operating frequency. Traditional systems with fixed antenna tuning cannot adapt to these real-time changes.\n\nBy providing a system that intelligently and dynamically tunes the antenna while simultaneously filtering EMI, this invention ensures a consistently robust and reliable connection. It transforms contactless interactions from a 'hit-or-miss' experience into a seamless and dependable one, addressing a fundamental flaw in prior art solutions.\n\nKeywords: contactless reliability, electromagnetic interference, antenna detuning, signal degradation, inconsistent performance, NFC problems, RFID challenges, environmental factors.","question":"What problem does Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System solve?"},{"answer":"The patent US-9853677, titled \"Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System,\" does not list specific inventors in the provided abstract data. Patent documents typically list the inventors, but this information was not included in the prompt's dataset.\n\nHowever, the assignee is often a company or organization that employs the inventors and to whom the patent rights are assigned. Without the assignee information, it's difficult to pinpoint the specific individuals or entity behind this innovation based solely on the given data.\n\nGenerally, such complex technical patents are the result of dedicated research and development teams within technology companies or academic institutions focused on wireless communication, RF engineering, or integrated circuit design.\n\nTo find the exact inventors and assignee, one would typically consult the full patent document available through official patent databases like the USPTO or Google Patents, which provide comprehensive details for the Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System.\n\nKeywords: patent inventors, patent assignee, US-9853677, wireless communication research, RF engineering, patent ownership, innovation originators.","question":"Who invented Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System?"},{"answer":"The Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System offers several compelling benefits that significantly enhance the utility and performance of contactless technologies.\n\nFirstly, it provides **superior communication reliability**. By dynamically tuning the antenna and filtering electromagnetic interference, the system drastically reduces instances of failed connections, ensuring that contactless payments, data transfers, or access controls work consistently and without interruption. This translates directly to improved user experience and operational efficiency.\n\nSecondly, it leads to **increased operational efficiency**. Faster and more accurate data transmission means quicker transaction times in retail, more reliable inventory tracking in logistics, and smoother processes across various industries. This minimizes delays, reduces manual intervention, and optimizes workflows.\n\nThirdly, the innovation enables **broader application scope and environmental resilience**. The ability of the system to adapt to challenging RF environments allows contactless technologies to be deployed reliably in places previously deemed unsuitable due to high interference or variable conditions, such as industrial settings or dense urban areas.\n\nFinally, it can result in **reduced power consumption** and **lower manufacturing/calibration costs**. Optimal tuning ensures maximum power transfer, which can lead to more energy-efficient devices. Furthermore, the self-tuning nature reduces the need for extensive manual RF calibration during production or deployment, streamlining processes and cutting expenses. The Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System truly elevates the standard for contactless performance.\n\nKeywords: contactless benefits, reliability, efficiency, EMI protection, adaptive tuning, extended range, power saving, manufacturing costs, user experience.","question":"What are the key benefits of Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System?"},{"answer":"The Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System significantly differentiates itself from prior art by shifting from static or passively adaptive solutions to an intelligent, active, and real-time dynamic tuning mechanism.\n\nPrior art often relies on fixed impedance matching networks or broadband antenna designs. Fixed networks, while effective in ideal conditions, cannot adapt to environmental changes (like proximity to metal or human body) or electromagnetic interference (EMI). Broadband antennas offer some flexibility but often sacrifice efficiency and gain at the desired operating frequency, leading to reduced performance.\n\nThis patent, however, introduces a configurable filter within the antenna's inductive-capacitive network. Crucially, a dedicated processor actively monitors communication performance and dynamically modifies this filter's impedance. This allows for continuous, precise tuning of the antenna to its optimal frequency and simultaneous active filtering of EMI. This integrated, feedback-driven approach provides unparalleled adaptability and resilience that static or passively filtered systems simply cannot match.\n\nIn essence, while prior art solutions are largely 'set-and-forget' or offer limited, non-intelligent adaptation, the Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System provides an 'always-optimizing' system, ensuring superior and consistent reliability in highly dynamic real-world conditions.\n\nKeywords: prior art comparison, dynamic tuning, configurable filter, adaptive RF, active EMI filtering, fixed impedance, broadband antennas, real-time optimization, technological differentiation.","question":"How is Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System different from prior art?"},{"answer":"The Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System patent has the potential to significantly impact a wide array of industries that rely on robust and reliable contactless communication.\n\n**Retail and Payments:** This is perhaps the most immediate impact. Enhanced reliability means fewer failed tap-to-pay transactions, leading to faster checkouts, improved customer satisfaction, and reduced operational friction. It supports the seamless adoption of mobile payments and contactless card usage.\n\n**Logistics and Supply Chain Management:** Industries using RFID for inventory tracking, asset management, and supply chain visibility will see massive benefits. More accurate and consistent reads, even in noisy warehouse environments, will reduce errors, optimize stock levels, and improve operational efficiency across the entire supply chain.\n\n**Access Control and Security:** Secure and reliable access systems for offices, smart buildings, public transport, and events will benefit from consistent performance, reducing delays and enhancing security protocols. The system ensures that credentials are read without fail.\n\n**Industrial IoT (IIoT) and Manufacturing:** In environments often characterized by high electromagnetic noise from heavy machinery, this technology will enable more dependable wireless sensor networks and machine-to-machine communication, critical for automation, predictive maintenance, and operational intelligence.\n\n**Consumer Electronics and Wearables:** Smartphones, smartwatches, and other wearable devices that incorporate NFC for payments or data transfer will offer a superior, more reliable user experience. The Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System is a foundational technology for a truly connected future.\n\nKeywords: industry impact, retail, logistics, payments, access control, IoT, manufacturing, consumer electronics, NFC applications, RFID solutions.","question":"What industries will Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System impact?"},{"answer":"The patent \"Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System\" (US-9853677) has a specific timeline for its filing and publication.\n\nThe **Filing Date** for this patent was **2015-12-18**. This is the date when the patent application was officially submitted to the patent office, marking the beginning of the examination process and establishing priority for the invention.\n\nThe **Publication Date** for this patent was **2017-12-26**. This is the date when the patent was officially granted and published by the patent office, making its details publicly available and establishing its legal protection.\n\nUnderstanding these dates is crucial for assessing the novelty and prior art landscape surrounding the Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System. The period between filing and publication allows for examination by patent authorities and demonstrates the innovation's journey through the intellectual property system.\n\nKeywords: patent filing date, patent publication date, US-9853677, patent timeline, intellectual property, invention date, patent grant, patent examination.","question":"When was Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System filed/granted?"},{"answer":"The Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System patent enables a wide range of commercial applications by significantly enhancing the reliability and performance of contactless communication.\n\n**Contactless Payment Systems:** This is a primary application. With this technology, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, mobile payment devices (smartphones, wearables), and payment cards will offer virtually flawless tap-to-pay experiences, reducing transaction failures and improving customer flow in retail environments.\n\n**Access Control Systems:** From corporate offices and residential buildings to public transport and event venues, access credentials (key cards, mobile passes) will be read consistently and quickly, improving security and user convenience. This eliminates frustrating delays at entry points.\n\n**Inventory Management and Asset Tracking:** In warehouses, manufacturing plants, and retail stores, RFID readers and tags will achieve higher read rates and greater accuracy, even amidst challenging electromagnetic environments. This enables real-time inventory visibility, reduces stockouts, minimizes theft, and streamlines supply chain operations.\n\n**Smart Logistics and Supply Chain Optimization:** The reliable data capture from RFID tags, facilitated by this patent, will support advanced logistics operations, including automated sorting, shipment verification, and cold chain monitoring, leading to significant cost savings and efficiency gains.\n\n**Smart Home and IoT Devices:** Devices that communicate via NFC or other short-range wireless protocols will benefit from enhanced stability, ensuring consistent connectivity for smart locks, home automation sensors, and consumer electronics. The Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System is crucial for making the 'smart' in smart devices truly reliable.\n\nKeywords: commercial applications, contactless payment, access control, inventory management, RFID solutions, NFC applications, smart logistics, IoT devices, retail technology, supply chain efficiency.","question":"What are the commercial applications of Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System?"},{"answer":"The Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System patent lays a robust foundation for exciting future developments in contactless technology and beyond.\n\nOne key area of future development is **enhanced intelligence and predictive tuning**. Current implementations might react to detected interference. Future systems could integrate machine learning algorithms to learn environmental patterns and proactively adjust antenna tuning *before* interference occurs, leading to even more seamless and uninterrupted communication. This would move from reactive adaptation to predictive optimization.\n\nAnother expected development is **miniaturization and ultra-low power integration**. As the technology matures, the configurable filter and processor control logic could become even more compact and energy-efficient, allowing for integration into smaller form factors like advanced wearables, medical implants, or tiny IoT sensors with extended battery life or even energy harvesting capabilities.\n\nFurthermore, the principles of this innovation could extend to **multi-protocol and multi-frequency adaptive antennas**. Imagine a single antenna system capable of dynamically reconfiguring itself to efficiently communicate across various wireless standards (e.g., NFC, Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi) or multiple frequency bands, depending on the application's needs. This would lead to highly versatile and efficient wireless modules.\n\nFinally, **broader adoption across critical infrastructure** is anticipated. As the reliability of contactless communication skyrockets due to this technology, its use in critical applications like secure industrial control systems, autonomous vehicle interactions, and robust smart city infrastructure will become more prevalent. The Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System is a key enabler for a truly reliable, pervasive, and intelligent wireless future.\n\nKeywords: future developments, predictive tuning, machine learning, miniaturization, low power, multi-protocol antennas, smart cities, IoT evolution, critical infrastructure, autonomous systems.","question":"What are the future developments expected for Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System?"}],"topics":["contactless communication","antenna tuning","electromagnetic interference","NFC","RFID","technical","method","controlling"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Adaptive Antenna Tuning for Contactless Comms - US-9853677","description":"Discover Method for Controlling the Tuning to a Communications Frequency of an Antenna Connected to a Component Designed for Contactless Communication and Corresponding System. Dynamic tuning for reliable NFC/RFID.","keywords":["contactless communication","antenna tuning","electromagnetic interference","NFC","RFID","dynamic tuning","configurable filter","wireless technology","patent US-9853677","adaptive RF","impedance matching","signal integrity","wireless reliability","IoT communication"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853677","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853677","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Method for controlling the tuning to a communications frequency of an antenna connected to a component designed for contactless communication and corresponding system\" (US-9853677). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853677","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853677","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853677","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-06-06T03:51:40.613Z"}