WO2016097462A1

WO2016097462A1 - Secondary information transfer to nfc memory field

Info

Publication number: WO2016097462A1
Application number: PCT/FI2014/051025
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martti Voutilainen
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2014-12-18
Filing date: 2014-12-18
Publication date: 2016-06-23

Abstract

In some example embodiments there is provided a method for secondary information transfer. The method may include establishing a near field communication link, wherein the near field communication link is established in response to a mobile transaction; establishing, in response to a trigger, a wireless memory link to carry supplemental information to a memory at, or coupled to, a near field communication tag, wherein the supplemental information is associated with the mobile transaction carried by the near field communication link; and sending, via the wireless memory link, the information to the memory. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Description

SECONDARY INFORMATION TRANSFER TO NFC MEMORY

FIELD

[001] The subject matter described herein relates to wireless communications.

BACKGROUND

[002] Today, many devices utilize near- field communications (NFC). Specifically, mobile user devices such as cell phones or tablet computers often include NFC to enable for example an NFC transaction between a cell phone and a host terminal, such as an NFC reader. For example, a user may use the cell phone including NFC to make mobile payments in a manner like credit cards are used today. To make a payment, the user may bring the NFC equipped cell phone near (for example, within a few inches) an NFC reader coupled to for example a retailer's point-of-sale (POS) terminal. This initiates a financial transaction resulting in for example the user's electronic payment account being debited for the cost associated with the purchase and the retailer being credited for the purchase.

SUMMARY

[003] In some example embodiments there is provided a method for secondary information transfer. The method may include establishing a near field communication link, wherein the near field communication link is established in response to a mobile transaction; establishing, in response to a trigger, a wireless memory link to carry supplemental information to a memory at, or coupled to, a near field communication tag, wherein the supplemental information is associated with the mobile transaction carried by the near field communication link; and sending, via the wireless memory link, the information to the memory.

[004] In some variations, one or more of the features disclosed herein including the following features can optionally be included in any feasible combination. The trigger may include an indication of at least one of the establishing of the near field communication link or the mobile transaction being completed. When the near field communication tag is in a passive mode, a configuration of the near field communication tag may change to provide a high power mode over the near field communication link, wherein the high power mode powers the establishing of the wireless memory link and inhibits transfer of information over the near field communication link. The establishing the wireless memory link may further include determining the wireless memory link is allowed to be established before the wireless memory link is established. The wireless memory link may couple a near field

communication reader and the near field communication tag. The wireless memory link is at least one of an ultra wideband link or wider in bandwidth than the near field communication link. The wireless memory link may provide direct memory access to the memory at, or coupled to, the near field communication tag. The sending may further include sending a memory write command via the wireless memory link directly to the memory. The establishing the wireless memory link may further include a synchronization and preparation phase between the near field communication reader and the near field communication tag. The synchronization and preparation phase may further include initiating, via the wireless memory link, a session between the near field communication reader and the near- field communication tag. The synchronization and preparation phase may further include transferring metadata defining at least one of how to access the memory, a type of command set for at least a write to the memory, a supported file size for at least the write to the memory, timing information to enable direct memory access, or whether encryption is active on the wireless memory link. The mobile transaction may include a mobile payment transaction. The mobile payment transaction may include a transfer of at least one of a credit, a debit, an electronic credit, an electronic debit, or electronic money.

[005] The above-noted aspects and features may be implemented in systems, apparatuses, methods, and/or computer-readable media depending on the desired

configuration. The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. In some exemplary embodiments, one of more variations may be made as well as described in the detailed description below and/or as described in the following features.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[006] In the drawings,

[007] FIG. 1 depicts an example of a system including a secondary information transfer via a second link to an NFC tag, in accordance with some example embodiments;

[008] FIG. 2 depicts an example of a process for secondary information transfer via a second link to an NFC tag, in accordance with some example embodiments; and

[009] FIG. 3 an example of an apparatus, in accordance with some example embodiments.

[010] Like labels are used to refer to the same or similar items in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[OH] NFC transactions between an NFC equipped user equipment (for example, a cell phone, smart phone, a tablet, radio-based device, and/or the like including an NFC tag) and an NFC reader (for example, at a retailer's point-of-sale (POS) terminal) are expected to increase in use due to among other things the ease of use and convenience of NFC-based mobile electronic payment systems. NFC provides short-range communications at relatively low data rates. Although the narrowband, low data rates associated with NFC are suitable for simple transactions such as the NFC payment transaction that does not require high data rates, NFC may be considered ill equipped to support large data transfers during short-lived transactions. For example, when the retailer's NFC reader and the NFC equipped user equipment are in communication for an NFC payment transaction, the retailer may also want to transfer other information, such as coupons, product information related to the purchase being made, catalog information, and/or the like. However, the low data rate nature of NFC and the short span of the NFC payment transactions (which is on the order of seconds for example) cannot support these relatively large file transfers.

[012] In some example embodiments, a second data link may be established during an NFC process carried by a first link, such as an NFC link. The NFC process may be a mobile transaction, such as a mobile payment process and/or the like. This second data link may enable an NFC host to provide additional information to the NFC equipped user equipment. In the case of mobile payments for example, a consumer's NFC equipped user equipment may be brought into range of a retailer's NFC reader at the POS terminal, and this may trigger an NFC payment transaction to debit the user's account for the purchase and credit the retailer's account. At some point during the NFC payment transaction (or after it is complete), the second link may be established to allow the retailer's POS terminal to transfer additional information, such as coupons, product information, catalog information, and/or the like. As the second link is a relatively higher data rate link (when compared to the NFC link), the second data link may be used to transfer larger sized files during the relatively brief period of time associated with for example a retail transaction.

[013] In some example embodiments, the second data link may be established as an ultra wideband link that provides access to memory at, or coupled to, for example an NFC tag and/or the user equipment.

[014] In some example embodiments, the second data link may be established as an ultra wideband link that provides direct memory access (DMA) to memory in the NFC tag. In some example embodiments, the ultra wideband link may be established as a wireless memory link having direct memory access to non- volatile memory in accordance with a memory standard, such as Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) standard related to memory, although other standards and memory technologies may be used as well.

[015] FIG. 1 depicts an example of a system 100 including one or more user equipment, such as user equipment 114 coupled to (or including) at least one NFC tag 120, in accordance with some example embodiments. System 100 may also include a host terminal 140 coupled to an NFC reader 130, in accordance with some example embodiments.

[016] In some example embodiments, when the NFC equipped user equipment 114 is brought into range of NFC reader 130, the NFC reader 130 may discover NFC tag 120, so that an NFC mobile payment transaction process can take place. At some point during the NFC mobile payment transaction between the NFC reader and NFC tag (which may take place over at least a first NFC link 150), a second link 155 may be established for at least the purpose of providing additional information to memory 126 associated with the NFC tag 120. Once established, the additional information, such as coupons, catalogs, product information, and/or any other type of information, may be sent by terminal 140 including NFC reader 130 to memory 126 at NFC tag 120.

[017] As the second link 155 is a relatively wide bandwidth link capable of higher data rates when compared to NFC link 150, the additional information can be provided in the relatively short time period associated with for example the mobile purchase transaction. For example, second link 155 may provide data rates of about 64 megabits per second (although higher or lower rates may be implemented as well) to allow transfer of a relatively large file, such as images, a catalog, coupons, video, music, and/or the like in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 seconds, although the transfer may take more or less time as well.

[018] In some example embodiments, the second data link 155 may be established as an ultra wideband link that provides direct memory access to memory 126 (which may be for example non-volatile) at NFC tag 120, and the stored information at memory 126 may be subsequently sent to user equipment 114 for display, storage, forwarding via email, and/or other operations). Moreover, ultra wideband link 155 may be, as noted, established as wireless link in accordance with a standard, such as JEDEC, although other standards or technologies may be used as well.

[019] Although some of the examples refer to NFC, ultra wideband, and JEDEC, these are merely examples as other types of radio technologies and standards may be used as well.

[020] User equipment 114 may, in some example embodiments, be implemented as a cell phone, smart phone, tablet, and/or any other device including wireless communications capabilities. The NFC tag 120 may be external and/or internal to user equipment 114. For example, the NFC tag 120 may be internal to the housing of user equipment 114 or be external to the housing (in which case a connector may interface NFC tag 120 to the circuitry of user equipment 114). NFC tag may operate in a passive NFC mode or an active NFC mode.

[021] NFC tag 120 may include memory 126, an RF transceiver 124, a narrowband receiver 122, and/or a controller 128, in accordance with some example embodiments. As noted, the NFC tag may operate in an active mode. When that is the case, a power source, such as a coupled user equipment or battery, may provide power to NFC narrowband receiver 122 for the NFC-related information transfer and RF transceiver 124 for the secondary information transfer simultaneously. However, in passive mode, the NFC tag may obtain power via the NFC link and narrowband receiver 122. When this is the case, there may not be sufficient power to operate both NFC narrowband receiver 122 and RF transceiver 124 simultaneously. For example, after the NFC (or mobile payment) transaction is completed (for example, after the exchange of the NFC link is complete) NFC receiver 122 may be changed to operate in a low-loss mode (for example, by switching a resistor off to increase the NFC antenna circuit Q-value from about for example 30 to 100/200 thereby increasing NFC power transfer capability about 10 - 20 times) in which higher power can be transferred over link 150 (at the expense of no information transfer via link 150), while enabling the powering and thus transfer via wideband link 155.

[022] Memory 126 may, in some example embodiments, be implemented as nonvolatile memory configured to allow direct memory access (for example, allowing terminal 140 or reader 130 to read or write to memory 126 without accessing a central processing unit at for example user equipment 114). Moreover, memory 126 may be configured with a file system (for example, a file allocation system, such as FAT32 and/or the like) to enable access to memory via second link 155.

[023] RF transceiver 124 may provide the second data link 155 between the NFC tag 120 and the NFC reader 130, in accordance with some example embodiments. RF transceiver 124 may provide a relatively high data rate data connection (for example, 64 megabits per second, although higher or lower rates may be provided as well), over wideband second link 155. Moreover, the second data link 155 may be an ultra wideband link (for example, carried by an infrared carrier, although the second link may be in accordance with other portions of the RF spectrum or radio technologies including WiFi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, and/or the like). Moreover, wideband data link 155 may be unidirectional (for example, enable data transfer from NFC reader 130 including RF transceiver 134 to NFC tag 120) and/or bidirectional (for example, enable data transfer to and from NFC reader 130 including RF transceiver 134 and NFC tag 120). In some example embodiments, the wideband link 155 may have a greater range than the NFC link 150. For example, the NFC link 150 may have a range of about 3 inches, while the wideband link 155 may have a range of several feet, although other ranges may be realized as well.

[024] Narrowband receiver 122 (labeled NFC narrowband (NB) receiver (RCVR) and power (PWR) extractor (EXT)) may provide a narrowband NFC link 150 between NFC tag 120 and NFC reader 130, in accordance with some example embodiments. In addition to carrying data/information, narrowband receiver 122 may also be used to provide power to the NFC tag 120 (for example, when in an NFC passive mode), although NFC tag may obtain power from other sources as well including a battery, user equipment 114, and/or the like. The narrowband NFC link 150 may be in accordance with near-field communication, and may be unidirectional, although a bidirectional narrowband link transceiver may be implemented as well.

[025] Controller 128 may control operation of NFC tag 120 and/or provide an interface to enable communication with other devices, such as user equipment 114 and/or NFC reader 130, and/or to enable communication/exchanges among component circuitry 122- 126. For example, controller 128 may control whether NFC tag 120 is allowed to provide the second data link 155 and control the configuration of NFC tag 120 and second data link 155 in order to provide transfer of information directly into memory 126.

[026] NFC reader 130 may be coupled, as noted, to terminal 140, and may include a narrowband NFC transmitter 132 (labeled NFC narrowband (NB) transmitter (XMIT)), an RF transceiver 134, memory 136, and/or controller 138. Memory 136 may be implemented as non-volatile memory, although other types of memory may be implemented as well. RF transceiver 134 may provide the second data link 155 between the NFC tag 120 and the NFC reader 130, in accordance with some example embodiments. Narrowband NFC transmitter 132 may be used to transmit narrowband link 150 to NFC tag 120 and/or to provide power to for example NFC tag 120 when in passive NFC mode. Controller 138 may control operation of NFC reader 130 and/or provide an interface to enable communication with other devices, such as terminal 140 and/or NFC tag 120, and/or to enable communication/exchanges among component circuitry 132-136.

[027] Although FIG. 1 depicts an example configuration of system 100 including certain quantities of devices, this is merely an illustrative example as other configurations and/or quantities may be used as well. [028] FIG. 2 depicts an example process 200 for establishing a wideband data link for secondary information transfer, in accordance with some example embodiments. The description of process 200 also refers to FIG. 1.

[029] At 205, user equipment 114 including NFC tag 120 may be brought into the range of NFC reader 130, in accordance with some example embodiments. For example, NFC reader 130 may be in a discovery mode scanning to detect NFC tags such as NFC tag 120, when an NFC tag is brought within range (for example, a few inches, although the distance may be greater or smaller as well) of NFC reader 130.

[030] At 207, NFC reader 130 may, in some example embodiments, send payment information via NFC link 150 (via NFC radios 122 and 132). For example, NFC reader 130 may send via NFC link 150 payment information (for example, a credit, a debit, an electronic credit, an electronic debit, or electronic money) related to a mobile payment transaction.

When NFC tag 120 receives the payment information, it may respond to complete the transaction via another link/connection, such as a short message service, an IP data connection, and/or the like (for example, when link 150 is unidirectional) or respond via link 150 (for example, if link 150 is bidirectional).

[031] When a secondary transfer is not enabled over wideband link 155, wideband link 155 is not established, so after the NFC transaction occurs over NFC link 150 the mobile payment transaction is considered complete (no at 209 and 210), in accordance with some example embodiments.

[032] When a secondary transfer is enabled over wideband link 155, wideband link 155 establishment may be initiated (yes at 209 and 220), in accordance with some example embodiments. The second link 155 may be established as a short-range wideband link, such as an infrared and/or other RF type link, between RF transceivers 124 and 134. The second link 155 may be bidirectional, although a unidirectional link may be established at 155 as well. Moreover, the wideband link may comprise a plurality of wideband links at 155 as well.

[033] In some example embodiments, the establishment of the NFC link 150 and/or the initiation of the transfer of information over the NFC link may trigger the check at 209 and/or the establishment of second link 155 at 220. Alternatively or additionally, the completion of the NFC payment transaction or some other event (which is associated with the NFC transaction) may represent the trigger.

[034] To enable the secondary transfer, user equipment 114 may authorize or allow the use of the second wideband data link 155 for receipt of additional information during the NFC payment process. To illustrate further, user equipment 114 may include a payment application that requires a user to indicate (for example, by a selection on the user interface) to opt in or register and thus allow for secondary transfer over wideband link 155.

Alternatively or additionally, the mobile electronic payment provider (which handles processing of the credits to a merchant, debits to a user's account, and the like) may request the user to register for the secondary transfer. In some example embodiments, the

determination of whether secondary transfer is enabled may be determined during the initial discovery that takes place during 205. For example, when the NFC tag is scanned, NFC reader 205 may determine the capability of NFC tag 120 for enabling a second link, although the determination of whether 209

[035] At 222, NFC reader 130 and NFC tag 120 may enter into a synchronization and preparation phase via link second link 155, in accordance with some example

embodiments. During this phase, NFC reader 130 may initiate a session between the NFC reader and NFC tag over link 155, transfer metadata (for example, information defining how to access memory 126 for writes or reads, the type of command set supported at NFC tag 120, file sizes supported at memory 126, timing for access of link 155, whether encryption is to be activated over link 155, and/or the like.

[036] At 224, the transfer of secondary information may occur from NFC reader 130 to NFC tag 120, in accordance with some example embodiments. For example, terminal 140 may be a POS terminal associated with a retailer. When this is the case, terminal 140 may determine the type of transaction and then send via wideband link 155 additional information related to a NFC purchase. For example, if the NFC purchase corresponds to the purchase of designer jeans, the additional information may include a clothing catalog, coupons, and/or any other information, although other types of information may be sent as well. Because the wideband link 155 has higher data rates when compared to link 150, the transfer of this additional information can take place relatively quickly (for example, less than 15 seconds).

[037] When the transfer is complete, the payment transaction may terminate and/or transferred information may be stored into memory 126 (which may be sent to user equipment 114 for display, storage, processing and/or forwarding), in accordance with some example embodiments (yes at 228 and 230).

[038] Although the above description of process 200 describes the second link 155 as enabling transfer from the NFC reader 130 to the NFC tag 120, the second link 155 may also enable transfer from NFC tag 120 to NFC reader 130 and memory 136 as well. Furthermore, although the above description of process 200 refers to a mobile payment transaction, other types of NFC transactions may be augmented with the second data link disclosed herein.

[039] FIG. 3 depicts an example of an apparatus 400, in accordance with some example embodiments. The apparatus 400 may comprise a user equipment that can couple to NFC tag 114 in order to read or otherwise receive the contents of memory 126, such as the additional information provided via wideband link 155 (as well as NFC payment information carried by NFC link 150). The user equipment may be implemented as a smart phone, a cell phone, a tablet, a point-of-service terminal 140, and/or any other radio-based device.

Moreover, the user equipment may be coupled to and/or contain (for example, within its housing) NFC tag 120 and/or NFC reader 130.

[040] In some example embodiments, apparatus 400 may also include a radio communication link to a cellular network, or other wireless network. The apparatus 400 may include at least one antenna 12 in communication with a transmitter 14 and a receiver 16. Alternatively transmit and receive antennas may be separate.

[041] The apparatus 400 may also include a processor 20 configured to provide signals to and from the transmitter and receiver, respectively, and to control the functioning of the apparatus. Processor 20 may be configured to control the functioning of the transmitter and receiver by effecting control signaling via electrical leads to the transmitter and receiver. Likewise, processor 20 may be configured to control other elements of apparatus 130 by effecting control signaling via electrical leads connecting processor 20 to the other elements, such as a display or a memory. The processor 20 may, for example, be embodied in a variety of ways including circuitry, at least one processing core, one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements including integrated circuits (for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or the like), or some combination thereof. Apparatus 400 may include a location processor and/or an interface to obtain location information, such as positioning and/or navigation information. Accordingly, although illustrated in as a single processor, in some example embodiments the processor 20 may comprise a plurality of processors or processing cores.

[042] Signals sent and received by the processor 20 may include signaling information in accordance with an air interface standard of an applicable cellular system, and/or any number of different wireline or wireless networking techniques, comprising but not limited to Wi-Fi, wireless local access network (WLAN) techniques, such as, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, 802.16, and/or the like. In addition, these signals may include speech data, user generated data, user requested data, and/or the like.

[043] The apparatus 400 may be capable of operating with one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, access types, and/or the like. For example, the apparatus 400 and/or a cellular modem therein may be capable of operating in accordance with various first generation (1G) communication protocols, second generation (2G or 2.5G) communication protocols, third-generation (3G) communication protocols, fourth-generation (4G) communication protocols, Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) communication protocols (for example, session initiation protocol (SIP)) and/or the like. For example, the apparatus 400 may be capable of operating in accordance with 2G wireless communication protocols IS- 136, Time Division Multiple Access TDMA, Global System for Mobile communications, GSM, IS-95, Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA, and/or the like. In addition, for example, the apparatus 400 may be capable of operating in accordance with 2.5G wireless communication protocols General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), and/or the like. Further, for example, the apparatus 400 may be capable of operating in accordance with 3G wireless

communication protocols, such as, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD- SCDMA), and/or the like. The apparatus 130 may be additionally capable of operating in accordance with 3.9G wireless communication protocols, such as, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), and/or the like. Additionally, for example, the apparatus 400 may be capable of operating in accordance with 4G wireless communication protocols, such as LTE Advanced and/or the like as well as similar wireless communication protocols that may be subsequently developed.

[044] It is understood that the processor 20 may include circuitry for implementing audio/video and logic functions of apparatus 400. For example, the processor 20 may comprise a digital signal processor device, a microprocessor device, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to-analog converter, and/or the like. Control and signal processing functions of the apparatus 400 may be allocated between these devices according to their respective capabilities. The processor 20 may additionally comprise an internal voice coder (VC) 20a, an internal data modem (DM) 20b, and/or the like. Further, the processor 20 may include functionality to operate one or more software programs, which may be stored in memory. In general, processor 20 and stored software instructions may be configured to cause apparatus 400 to perform actions. For example, processor 20 may be capable of operating a connectivity program, such as, a web browser. The connectivity program may allow the apparatus 400 to transmit and receive web content, such as location-based content, according to a protocol, such as, wireless application protocol, wireless access point, hypertext transfer protocol, HTTP, and/or the like.

[045] Apparatus 400 may also comprise a user interface including, for example, an earphone or speaker 24, a ringer 22, a microphone 26, a display 28, a user input interface, and/or the like, which may be operationally coupled to the processor 20. The display 28 may, as noted above, include a touch sensitive display, where a user may touch and/or gesture to make selections, enter values, and/or the like. The processor 20 may also include user interface circuitry configured to control at least some functions of one or more elements of the user interface, such as, the speaker 24, the ringer 22, the microphone 26, the display 28, and/or the like. The processor 20 and/or user interface circuitry comprising the processor 20 may be configured to control one or more functions of one or more elements of the user interface through computer program instructions, for example, software and/or firmware, stored on a memory accessible to the processor 20, for example, volatile memory 40, nonvolatile memory 42, and/or the like. The apparatus 400 may include a battery for powering various circuits related to the mobile terminal, for example, a circuit to provide mechanical vibration as a detectable output. The user input interface may comprise devices allowing the apparatus 400 to receive data, such as, a keypad 30 (which can be a virtual keyboard presented on display 28 or an externally coupled keyboard) and/or other input devices.

[046] Moreover, the apparatus 400 may include a short-range radio frequency (RF) transceiver and/or interrogator 64, so data may be shared with and/or obtained from electronic devices in accordance with RF techniques. The apparatus 400 may include other short-range transceivers, such as an infrared (IR) transceiver 66, a Bluetooth (BT) transceiver 68 operating using Bluetooth wireless technology, a wireless universal serial bus (USB) transceiver 70, and/or the like. The Bluetooth transceiver 68 may be capable of operating according to low power or ultra-low power Bluetooth technology, for example, Wibree, radio standards. In this regard, the apparatus 400 and, in particular, the short-range transceiver may be capable of transmitting data to and/or receiving data from electronic devices within a proximity of the apparatus, such as within 10 meters. The apparatus 400 including the Wi-Fi or wireless local area networking modem may also be capable of transmitting and/or receiving data from electronic devices according to various wireless networking techniques, including 6LoWpan, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi low power, WLAN techniques such as IEEE 802.11 techniques, IEEE 802.15 techniques, IEEE 802.16 techniques, and/or the like.

[047] The apparatus 400 may comprise memory, such as, a subscriber identity module (SIM) 38, a removable user identity module (R-UIM), and/or the like, which may store information elements related to a mobile subscriber. In addition to the SIM, the apparatus 400 may include other removable and/or fixed memory. The apparatus 400 may include volatile memory 40 and/or non-volatile memory 42. For example, volatile memory 40 may include Random Access Memory (RAM) including dynamic and/or static RAM, on- chip or off-chip cache memory, and/or the like. Non-volatile memory 42, which may be embedded and/or removable, may include, for example, read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic storage devices, for example, hard disks, floppy disk drives, magnetic tape, optical disc drives and/or media, non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), and/or the like. Like volatile memory 40, non- volatile memory 42 may include a cache area for temporary storage of data. At least part of the volatile and/or non-volatile memory may be embedded in processor 20. The memories may store one or more software programs, instructions, pieces of information, data, and/or the like which may be used by the apparatus for performing process 200 and/or the like. The memories may comprise an identifier, such as an international mobile equipment identification (IMEI) code, capable of uniquely identifying apparatus 400. The functions may include one or more of the operations disclosed herein including establishing a near- field communication link to carry a first information transfer associated with a mobile payment transaction; establishing a secondary wireless link to carry a second information transfer to a memory at a near field communication tag, wherein the second information includes information associated with the mobile payment transaction carried by the near field communication link; and sending, via the secondary wireless link, the second information to the memory. The memories may comprise an identifier, such as an

international mobile equipment identification (IMEI) code, capable of uniquely identifying apparatus 400. In the example embodiment, the processor 20 may be configured using computer code stored at memory 40 and/or 42 to provide the operations, such as process 200 and/or the like.

[048] Some of the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic, or a combination of software, hardware, and application logic. The software, application logic, and/or hardware may reside in memory 40, the control apparatus 20, or electronic components disclosed herein, for example. In some example embodiments, the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "computer- readable medium" may be any non-transitory media that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer or data processor circuitry. A computer-readable medium may comprise a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that may be any media that can contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. Furthermore, some of the embodiments disclosed herein include computer programs configured to cause, at least in part, methods as disclosed herein (see, for example, the process 200 and the like) to be performed.

[049] Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is enhanced data transfer during an NFC transaction.

[050] The subject matter described herein may be embodied in systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the desired configuration. For example, the systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles described herein can be implemented using one or more of the following: electronic components such as transistors, inductors, capacitors, resistors, and the like, a processor executing program code, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), an embedded processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or combinations thereof. These various example embodiments may include implementations in one or more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. These computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications, applications, components, program code, or code) include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and may be implemented in a high-level procedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As used herein, the term "machine-readable medium" refers to any computer program product, computer-readable medium, computer-readable storage medium, apparatus and/or device (for example, magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions. Similarly, systems are also described herein that may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory may include one or more programs that cause the processor to perform one or more of the operations described herein.

[051] Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. Moreover, the example embodiments described above may be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flow depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein does not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims.

[052] In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as "at least one of or "one or more of may occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features. The term "and/or" may also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the recited elements or features in combination with any of the other recited elements or features. For example, the phrases "at least one of A and Β;" "one or more of A and Β;" and "A and/or B" are each intended to mean "A alone, B alone, or A and B together." A similar interpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items. For example, the phrases "at least one of A, B, and C;" "one or more of A, B, and C;" and "A, B, and/or C" are each intended to mean "A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together." Use of the term "based on," above and in the claims is intended to mean, "based at least in part on," such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.

Claims

A method comprising:

establishing a near field communication link, wherein the near field communication link is established in response to a mobile transaction;

establishing, in response to a trigger, a wireless memory link to carry supplemental information to a memory at, or coupled to, a near field communication tag, wherein the supplemental information is associated with the mobile transaction carried by the near field communication link; and

sending, via the wireless memory link, the information to the memory.

The method of claim 1, wherein the trigger comprises an indication of at least one of the establishing of the near field communication link or the mobile transaction being completed.

The method of claims 1-2 further comprising:

changing, when the near field communication tag is in a passive mode, a configuration of the near field communication tag to provide a high power mode over the near field communication link, wherein the high power mode powers the establishing of the wireless memory link and inhibits transfer of information over the near field communication link.

The method of claims 1-3, wherein the establishing the wireless memory link further comprises:

determining the wireless memory link is allowed to be established before the wireless memory link is established.

The method of claims 1-4, wherein the wireless memory link couples a near field communication reader and the near field communication tag.

The method of claims 1-5, wherein the wireless memory link is at least one of an ultra wideband link or wider in bandwidth than the near field communication link.

The method of claims 1-6, wherein the wireless memory link provides direct memory access to the memory at, or coupled to, the near field communication tag.

The method of claims 1-7, wherein the sending further comprises:

sending a memory write command via the wireless memory link

directly to the memory.

The method of claims 1-8, wherein the establishing the wireless memory link further comprises: a synchronization and preparation phase between the near field communication reader and the near field communication tag.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the synchronization and preparation phase further comprises:

initiating, via the wireless memory link, a session between the near field communication reader and the near- field communication tag.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the synchronization and preparation phase further comprises:

transferring metadata defining at least one of how to access the memory, a type of command set for at least a write to the memory, a supported file size for at least the write to the memory, timing information to enable direct memory access, or whether encryption is active on the wireless memory link.

12. The method of claims 1-11, wherein the mobile transaction comprises a mobile

payment transaction.

13. The method of claims 12, wherein the mobile payment transaction comprises a transfer of at least one of a credit, a debit, an electronic credit, an electronic debit, or electronic money.

14. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least:

establish, in response to a trigger, a wireless memory link to carry supplemental information to a memory at, or coupled to, a near field communication tag, wherein the supplemental information is associated with the mobile transaction carried by the near field communication link; and

send, via the wireless memory link, the information to the memory.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the trigger comprises an indication of at least one of the establishing of the near field communication link or the mobile transaction being completed.

16. The apparatus of claims 14-15, wherein the apparatus is further configured to at least change, when the near field communication tag is in a passive mode, a configuration of the near field communication tag to provide a high power mode over the near field communication link, wherein the high power mode powers the establishments of the wireless memory link and inhibits transfer of information over the near field communication link.

17. The apparatus of claims 14-16, wherein the apparatus is further configured to at least determine the wireless memory link is allowed to be established before the wireless memory link is established.

18. The apparatus of claims 14-17, wherein the wireless memory link couples a near field communication reader and the near field communication tag.

19. The apparatus of claims 14-18, wherein the wireless memory link is at least one of an ultra wideband link or wider in bandwidth than the near field communication link.

20. The apparatus of claims 14-19, wherein the wireless memory link provides direct memory access to the memory at, or coupled to, the near field communication tag.

21. The apparatus of claims 14-20, wherein the apparatus is further configured to at least send a memory write command via the wireless memory link

directly to the memory.

22. The apparatus of claims 14-21, wherein the apparatus is further configured to at least a synchronization and preparation phase between the near field communication reader and the near field communication tag.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the synchronization and preparation phase is

further configured to at least initiate, via the wireless memory link, a session between the near field communication reader and the near- field communication tag.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the synchronization and preparation phase is

further configured to at least transfer metadata defining at least one of how to access the memory, a type of command set for at least a write to the memory, a supported file size for at least the write to the memory, timing information to enable direct memory access, or whether encryption is active on the wireless memory link.

25. The apparatus of claims 14-24, wherein the mobile transaction comprises a mobile payment transaction.

26. The apparatus of claims 14-25, wherein the mobile payment transaction comprises a transfer of at least one of a credit, a debit, an electronic credit, an electronic debit, or electronic money.

27. An apparatus comprising:

means for establishing a near field communication link, wherein the near field communication link is established in response to a mobile transaction;

means for establishing, in response to a trigger, a wireless memory link to carry supplemental information to a memory at, or coupled to, a near field communication tag, wherein the supplemental information is associated with the mobile transaction carried by the near field communication link; and

means for sending, via the wireless memory link, the information to the memory.

28. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including computer program code which when executed by at least one processor causes operations comprising:

establishing a near field communication link, wherein the near field

communication link is established in response to a mobile transaction;

sending, via the wireless memory link, the information to the memory.