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Apple Patent

Apple files patent for alternative NFC technology

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By The Drum Team, Editorial

October 18, 2012 | 2 min read

Apple has patented an alternative Near Field Communications technology, perhaps answering one of the questions as to why no NFC technology was used within its recent launch of the iPhone 5.

The patent has been highlighted by website Patently Apple, which reported that a series of 32 newly granted patents were published by the US Parent and Trademark Office.

Of the 32 patents, one granted related to technology that could trigger a portable electronic device t identify itself in order to communicate with another device within its proximity.

According to the website, while Apple is continuing to research the possibilities that NFC technology can offer, it is also seeking an alternative.

The patent covers a network device’s ability to monitor a compass output from a portable electronic device, which, as they come closer to one another, determine whether a network device discovery process should be processed between the two.

Credited by Apple with inventing the technology as Patrick Piemonte, Ronald Huang and Parin Patel, with the patent application originally filed in the final months of 2009.

Apple Patent

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