BACKGROUND

[001] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to being prior art by inclusion in this section.

Field of invention

[002] The subject matter in general relates to NFC (near field communication) devices. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to a ring having NFC capabilities.

Discussion of related art

[003] NFC (near field communication) technology allows wireless communication between devices that are few centimetres apart. NFC technology is deployed in both commercial and industrial applications. As an example, NFC technology is widely used for tags on items in shops, access cards and so on. Further, NFC technology has also been introduced in card payment technology in the form of contactless payment cards (debit cards, credit card, transport cards and so on) embedded with NFC microchips. These contactless payment cards can be used for making electronic payment via radio communication with an NFC- enabled payment terminal.

[004] The contactless payment cards are plastic cards with the NFC microchip and copper antenna embedded into them. The payment data encrypted in the microchip is communicated to the NFC- enabled payment terminal by the copper antenna during a transaction and the payment is processed. The NFC card payment generally do not require a PIN verification for the payment to be processed, up to a certain limit. Such payment without PIN verification may lead to fraudulent transactions. Any person in possession of NFC enabled POS (Point of sale) machine can process a payment without the consent of the user. Payment can be processed by bringing an active POS machine in contact with the user’s card without the knowledge of the user as the plastic payment cards transmit data across their length and breadth when in close proximity with an activated POS.

[005] Plastic payment cards also have the disadvantage of wearing out by several factors such as bending or breaking inside a wallet, coming in contact with water or getting scratched due to careless usage by the user, thus making the printed data unreadable after some time. [006] In view of the foregoing discussions, there is a need for an improved device with NFC capabilities, which is relatively secure and is resistant to physical damages.

SUMMARY

[007] A near field communication ring device is provided. The device comprises a ring housing, an NFC chip and an antenna. The NFC chip and the antenna are connected for enabling near field communication. The NFC chip and the antenna are housed within the ring housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[008] Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

[009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ring device 100;

[010] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an antenna 204 and an NFC chip 202, in accordance with an embodiment;

[Oil] FIG. 2B discloses a block diagram illustrating a memory unit 218 of the NFC chip 202, in accordance with an embodiment.

[012] FIG. 3 A is a perspective view of a ring housing 102 of the ring device 100;

[013] FIG. 3B is a section view of the ring housing 102 along a section plane 302 of FIG. 3A.

[014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a circuit 212 placed within an annular inner groove 106 of the ring housing 102 of FIG. 3A, in accordance with an embodiment;

[015] FIG. 5 is section view of the ring device 100 illustrating a sheet of ferromagnetic material or a shielding substrate 502, in accordance with another embodiment;

[016] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in manufacturing of the ring device 100, in accordance with an embodiment;

[017] FIG. 7A is an exploded view of the ring device 100, in accordance with another embodiment; [018] FIG. 7B is perspective view of a positioning member 704, in accordance with an embodiment;

[019] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in manufacturing of the ring device 100, in accordance with an embodiment;

[020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the ring device 100, in accordance with yet another embodiment;

[021] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in manufacturing of the ring device 100, in accordance with an embodiment; and

[022] FIG. 11 illustrates the working of the ring device 100, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[023] The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description. The drawings show illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. These example embodiments are described in enough details to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. However, it may be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. The embodiments can be combined, other embodiments can be utilized or structural and logical changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as a limiting sense.

[024] In this document, the terms“a” or“an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term“or” is used to refer to a non-exclusive “or”, such that“A or B” includes“A but not B”,“B but not A”, and“A and B”, unless otherwise indicated.

[025] Referring to FIG. 1, a near field communication ring device 100 is provided. The ring device 100 may be used for NFC payments, access control, keyless entry, digital KYC and so on. [026] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG 2A, the ring device 100 may comprise a ring housing 102, an NFC chip 202, an antenna 204 and a filling material 104.

[027] Referring to FIG. 3A and FIG 3B, the ring housing 102 may be circular and the material used for manufacturing the ring housing 102 may be a ceramic material. The ceramic material may be, for example, but not limited to zirconia. A zirconia ceramic may be preferably selected as it provides high resistance to corrosion and wear. These characteristic properties of the zirconia ceramic may make the ring device 100 durable and sturdy. Further, the ring housing 102 may be of any material that serves the purpose of the present invention. The inner surface of the ring housing 102 may define an annular inner grove 106. The annular inner grove 106 of the ring housing 102 may be defined to accommodate the NFC chip 202 and the antenna 204.

[028] In an embodiment, the ring housing 102 may be designed to comprise precious stones, for example, but not limited to diamond, ruby and so on. That is to say, precious stones may be mounted onto the ring housing 102 to provide the ring device 100 an aesthetic appeal.

[029] FIG. 2A discloses the antenna 204 attached to the NFC chip 202, in accordance with an embodiment. The outer edges of the NFC chip 202 may be attached to a sheet 206 wherein the sheet 206 may define two spots 208a, 208b. A coil (wire) may be wound in multiple turns to form the antenna 204. The coil may be, for example, made of copper. Opposite ends 204a, 204b of the antenna 204 may be attached to the NFC chip 202. The opposite ends 204a, 204b of the antenna 204 may be attached to the NFC chip 202 by soldering or welding the antenna 204 to the two spots 208a, 208b. As an example, end 204a of the antenna 204 may be soldered or welded to the first spot 208a and the second end 204b may be soldered or welded to the second spot 208b. The antenna 204 may extend around the entire circumference of the annular inner groove 106. The antenna 204 may act as a medium for transmission of the data encrypted onto the NFC chip 202. The antenna 204 may transmit data between the ring device 100 and an external NFC device 1104 (refer FIG. 11), such as, an NFC POS machine, NFC reader and so on. The antenna 204 may be designed to operate at 13.56 MHz. The antenna 204 and the NFC chip 202 may form a circuit 212.

[030] In another embodiment, the ring device 100 may be designed to communicate using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. In an embodiment, the antenna 204 may transmit data between the ring device 100 and an external NFC device 1104 (refer FIG. 11), such as, an NFC POS machine, NFC reader and so on. The antenna 204 may be designed to operate at 125 kHz or 134 kHz.

[031] Referring to FIG.4, the circuit 212 may be placed within the annular inner grove 106 defined by the ring housing 102. An adhesive may be utilized for gluing the circuit 212 within the annular inner grove 106. The adhesive may be an atmospherically cured quick dry adhesive. The adhesive may be, for example, but not limited to cyanoacrylate adhesive.

[032] FIG. 2B discloses a block diagram illustrating a memory unit 218 of the NFC chip 202, in accordance with an embodiment. The memory unit 218 may comprise a primary memory unit 214 and a secondary memory unit 216. The primary memory unit 214 may be for storing data for a first application. The first application may be NFC payments and the stored data may be banking related information. The secondary memory unit 216 may be for storing data for a second application. The second application may be access control, keyless entry, digital KYC and so on. That is to say, the primary memory unit 214 of the NFC chip 202 may include the banking related information, for example, but not limited to, the account number, card number, card track number, card token. The secondary memory unit 216 of the NFC chip 202 may store personal information, for example, but not limited to, the account number, card number, card token, personal identification details, pin, password and so on in the ring device 100. The data may be encrypted onto the primary memory unit 214 and the secondary memory unit 216.

[033] Referring to FIG.l and FIG. 4, the circuit 212 may be encapsulated using the filling material 104. The filling material 104 may be filled in the annular inner grove 106. The filling material 104 may encapsulate the circuit 212 and may seal the circuit 212 within the annular inner grove 106. The filling material 104 may be preferably selected to be low viscous, shrink proof, inert and scratch resistant, and thus protect the circuit 212 from tampering, dust, water and any other physical damage. Consequently, the filling material 104 may keep the circuit 212 intact within the ring housing 102. The filling material 104 may be transparent. A colouring agent may be added to the filling material 104 to provide the ring device 100 an aesthetic appeal. The filling material 104 may be two-part epoxy resin. Further, the filling material 104 may be any material that serves the purpose of the present invention. [034] FIG. 5 discloses a ring device 100, in accordance with another embodiment. In an embodiment, a transition metal 504 may be used as the filling material 104. As an example, the transition metal 504 may be gold, silver or platinum. When the transition metal 504 is used as the filling material 104, the transition metal 504 may interfere with the data communication between the antenna 204 and the external NFC device 1104. To prevent the interference in the data communication, a sheet of ferromagnetic material or a shielding substrate 502 may be placed between the circuit 212 and the transition metal 504. The sheet of ferromagnetic material or the shielding substrate 502 may isolate the RF (radio frequency) field from the transition metal 504 and channelize the data signal away from the transition metal 504, towards the external NFC device 1104.

[035] The dimensions of the inner diameter of the ring device 100 may be customized. That is to say, the inner diameter of the ring device 100 may depend upon the finger size of the user of the ring device 100. The inner diameter may, for example, but not limited to, may range from 14 mm to 25 mm.

[036] Having provided detailed information about the different parts of the ring device 100, the steps involved in manufacturing of the ring device 100 is discussed in detail hereunder.

[037] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, at step 602, the coil may be wound in multiple layers to form the antenna 204. The coil may be made of copper. The antenna 204 may then be soldered or welded to the NFC chip 202. The antenna 204 may be soldered or welded to the spots 208a, 208b defined by the sheet 206. At step 604, the circuit 212 comprising the NFC chip 202 and the antenna 204 may be adhered within the annular inner grove 106 defined by the ring housing 102. The circuit 212 may be adhered within the annular inner groove 106 using cyanoacrylate adhesive. A layer of cyanoacrylate adhesive may be applied on the sheet 206 and then the circuit may be clamped within the annular inner groove 106. Cyanoacrylate adhesive may be allowed to atmospherically cured, allowing the circuit 212 to be adhered within the ring housing 102.

[038] In an embodiment, at step 606, the circuit 212 comprising the NFC chip 202 and the antenna 204 may be covered by the sheet of ferromagnetic material or the shielding substrate 502. Step 606 may be carried out in embodiments, wherein, the filling material 104 may be a transition metal 504, for example, but not limited to, gold, silver or platinum. The sheet of ferromagnetic material or the shielding substrate 502 may not be placed between the circuit 212 and the filling material 104, wherein, the filling material 104 is a two part epoxy resin. That is to say, step 606, may not be carried out in an embodiment, wherein, the filling material 104 is a two part epoxy resin. At step 607, a colouring agent may be added to the filling material 104.

[039] In an embodiment, at step 608, wherein the filling material is two part epoxy resin, the filling material 104 may be filled within the annular inner groove 106. The filling material 104 may encapsulate the circuit 212. Further, the filling material 104 may completely fill the annular inner groove 106, thereby, sealing the circuit 212 within the ring housing 102.

[040] In another embodiment, at step 608, wherein the filling material is a transition metal 502, the transition metal 502 may be welded or bonded within the annular outer groove 904. The transition metal 502 may encapsulate the sheet of ferromagnetic material or the shielding substrate 502.

[041] At step 610, the filling material 104 may allowed to be atmospherically or instantly cured. The atmospherically cured filling material 104 may make the ring device 100, 100% water and dust proof.

[042] At step 612, the ring device 100 may be glazed, polished and buffed, resulting in the formation of the ring device 100 that may be hard, shiny and has an aesthetic appeal.

[043] In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 7A, the filling material 104 may be used as a ring housing 702. The NFC chip 202 and the antenna 204 may be housed within the filling material 104. The filling material 104 may be mixed with the colouring agent to provide the ring device 100 an aesthetic appeal. The filling material 104 may be an atmospherically cured resin. As an example, the atmospherically cured resin may be two part epoxy resin. The NFC chip 202 and antenna 204, while being placed within the ring housing 702 may shift from its position, within the ring housing 702, during a moulding process or the curing process of the ring housing 702 as the NFC chip 202 and the antenna 204 are not placed within an inner groove. The NFC chip 202 and the antenna 204 may be secured over a positioning member 704 (refer FIG. 7B) to ensure the NFC chip 202 and the antenna 204 are in its position within the mould, while to housing is formed over the NFC chip 202 and the antenna 204. The positioning member 704 may include a circular ring with an outer portion 706, over which the NFC chip 202 and the antenna 204 are secured.

[044] Having discussed an alternated embodiment of the ring device 100 wherein the ring housing 702 is made of the filling material 104, the steps involved in manufacturing of the ring device 100 is discussed in detail hereunder.

[045] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 8, at step 802, the coil may be wound in multiple turns to form an antenna 204. Then, the antenna 204 may be soldered or welded to the spot 208a. 208b defined by the sheet 206. At step 803, the NFC ring 202 and the antenna 204 may be attached to the outer portion 706 of the temporary grip 704. At step 804, the antenna 204 and the NFC chip 202 (circuit 212) along with the temporary grip 704 may be placed into a mould cavity defined by mould. The mould cavity may be configured in a circular ring shape. At step 806, a colouring agent may be added to the filling material 104. At step 808, the filling material 104 may be poured into the mould cavity defined by the mould. The filling material 104 may be, for example, but not limited to two part epoxy resin. At step 810, the filling material 104 may allowed to be atmospherically cured. The ring device 100 may be removed from the mould, and the filling material 104 may be atmospherically cured. At step 812, the ring device 100 may be sanded, glazed, polished and buffed, resulting in the formation of the ring device 100 which may be hard, shiny and has an aesthetic appeal.

[046] FIG. 9 discloses a ring device 100, in accordance with yet another embodiment. In an embodiment, an annular groove 904 may be defined on an outer surface of a ring housing 902.

The ring housing 902 may be circular and the material used for manufacturing the ring housing 902 may be Zirconia ceramic.

[047] Having provided an overview of the ring device 100, wherein the annular grove may be defined on the outer surface of the ring housing 902, steps involved in manufacturing of the ring device 100 is discussed in detail hereunder.

[048] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 10, at step 1002, a coil may be wound in multiple turns around the annular outer groove 904 to form an antenna 204. The antenna 204 may extend around the entire circumference of the annular outer groove 904. An NFC chip 202 may be soldered or welded onto the antenna 204 and glued onto the annular outer groove 904. At step 1004, the NFC chip 202 along with the antenna 204 may be covered by a sheet of ferromagnetic material or the shielding substrate 502. Step 606 may be carried out in embodiments, wherein, the filling material 104 may be a transition metal 504, for example, but not limited to, gold, silver or platinum. The sheet of ferromagnetic material or the shielding substrate 502 may not be placed between the antenna 204 and the filling material 104, wherein, the filling material 104 is a two part epoxy resin. That is to say, step 606, may not be carried out in an embodiment, wherein, the filling material 104 is a two part epoxy resin. At step 1006, a colouring agent may be added to the filling material 104.

[049] In an embodiment, at step 1008, wherein the filling material is two part epoxy resin, the filling material 104 may be poured within the annular outer groove 904. The filling material 904 may encapsulate the NFC chip 202 and the antenna 204. Further, the filling material 904 may completely fill the annular outer groove 904, thereby, sealing the NFC chip 202 and the antenna 204 within the ring housing 902.

[050] In another embodiment, at step 1008, wherein the filling material is a transition metal

502, the transition metal 502 may be welded or bonded within the annular outer groove 904. The transition metal 502 may encapsulate the sheet of ferromagnetic material or the shielding substrate 502.

[051] At step 1010, the filling material 104 may allowed to be atmospherically or instantly cured. The atmospherically or instantly cured filling material 104 may make the ring device 100, 100% water and dust proof.

[052] At step 1012, the ring device 100 may be glazed, polished and buffed, resulting in the formation of the ring device 100 that may be hard, shiny and has an aesthetic appeal.

[053] Having discussed the steps involved in manufacturing of the ring device 100, the working of the ring device 100 is discussed in detail hereunder.

[054] The ring device 100 may be used to make contactless payments anywhere that accepts NFC payments. Referring to FIG. 11, for a transaction using the ring device 100, the user may have to hold the ring device 100 parallel to the external NFC device 902. The data may be transmitted only when the centre of axis of the antenna 204 enclosed within the ring device 100 may be parallel to the external NFC device 1104. This is possible only when the user of the ring device 100 may bend their knuckles and place the closed fist firmly on the NFC device 1104. When the ring device 100 and the external NFC machine 1104 are parallel to each other, the encrypted data in the NFC chip 202 may be transmitted to the external NFC device 1104 via radio waves. The external NFC device 1104 may process the information and the transaction may be completed. The NFC device ring 100 may be a passive device whereas the external NFC device 1104 may be an active device. The ring device 100 may be powered by the electromagnetic filed of the active device. Consequently, the NFC ring device 100 may not require external charging.

[055] In contrast to the prior art (plastic payment cards), in the embodiment disclosed herein, the transaction may be completed only when the user may bend their knuckles and place the closed fist firmly on the NFC device 1104, thus preventing unwarranted fraudulent transactions.

[056] The ring device 100 may find applications other than NFC payments. The ring device 100 may be used as a travel card. That is to say, the ring device 100 may be used to gain access at the entry or exit gates at most of the EMV (EUROPAY, MASTERCARD, VISA) complaint open- loop metro transit terminal. Further, the ring device 100 may find applications in access control. Additionally, the ring device 100 may also be used as an alternative to mechanical keys, for opening doors of home or/and car equipped with NFC reader.

[057] Referring to FIG. 2B, when the ring device 100 may be used for the first application, the antenna 204 may communicate the encrypted data from the primary memory unit 214 of the NFC chip 202 to an external NFC device 1104. A first protocol may be used for deciphering the encrypted data stored in the primary memory unit 214 of the NFC chip 202. The first application may be NFC payment. When the ring device 100 may be used for the second application, the antenna 204 may communicate the encrypted data from the secondary memory unit 216 of the NFC chip 202 to an external NFC reader. A second protocol may be used for deciphering the encrypted data stored in the secondary memory unit 216 of the NFC chip 202. The second application may be access control, keyless entry, digital KYC and so on. As an example, when the ring device 100 may be used for NFC payments, the antenna 204 may communicate the encrypted data from the primary memory unit 214 of the NFC chip 202 to an external NFC device 1104. Whereas, when the ring device 100 may be used for opening a car door (second application), the antenna 204 may communicate the encrypted data (car door password) from the secondary memory unit 216 of the NFC chip 202 to an external NFC reader.

[058] The processes described above are described as a sequence of steps, this was done solely for the sake of illustration. Accordingly, it is contemplated that some steps may be added, some steps may be omitted, the order of the steps may be re-arranged, or some steps may be performed simultaneously.

[059] Although embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the system and method described herein. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[060] Many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. It is to be understood that the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the personally preferred embodiments of this invention.