CN101479689A - NFC enabled pointing with a mobile device - Google Patents

Abstract

A system includes a communication terminal (CT1) having a near-field communication unit (10) for near-field communication with a mobile device (MD1) when it is within range of the near-field communication unit (10). Output devices (OD1; OD2) are positioned outside the range of the near-field communication unit (10) to provide output to a user of the mobile device (MD1). A controller (11) controls the output devices (OD1; OD2) to provide output based on the orientation (D1) of the mobile device (MD1).

Description

NFC pointing with mobile devices

technical field

The present invention relates to a system including a communication terminal, an output device and a controller. The invention also relates to a communication method.

Background technique

Near Field Communication (NFC, also known as NFC) technology introduced in recent years is developed from non-contact identification and connection technology. It provides an easy, intuitive way to connect devices and share data between devices simply by bringing them closer together. Since it only works over short distances and requires no configuration from the user, NFC is an ideal way for consumers to interact with the world around them through their mobile phones. NFC is an ECMA-340 (ISO-IEC18092) standard and works at 13.56MHz. It is fully compatible with Philips MIFARE and Sony FeliCa contactless smart card platforms.

NFC is a proximity-based, ultra-low-power wireless technology that allows information to be transferred between devices that are a few centimeters apart. Therefore, devices must be placed in intentional proximity to communicate. While the process is inherently secure due to the short distance between the communicating means, an even more secure process can be guaranteed by combining NFC with a SIM card or a smart card controller like Philips' SmartMX. This allows the mobile phone to perform eg 3-DES encryption.

Known NFC applications include: dialing two NFC-enabled phones (NFC-enabled phones) to start a conference call together, or exchanging phone numbers immediately, or pointing the phone at a DVD of interest to watch a trailer when shopping, or using The phone touches the poster of the concert to place a reminder on the phone or buy a ticket.

However, these applications involving NFC are limited due to inherent proximity-based operations.

Contents of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an NFC system in which a mobile device is employed but the output provided to the user in response to NFC activity with the mobile device does not need to be in proximity to the mobile device.

A first aspect of the invention provides a system as claimed in claim 1 . A second aspect of the invention provides a method as claimed in claim 16 . Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

A system according to a first aspect of the invention comprises a communication device having a near field communication unit for communicating with a mobile device when within range of the near field communication unit. Typically, the range over which the mobile device and the near field communication unit are able to communicate is less than 20 cm. The system also includes an output device located outside the range of the near field communication unit. Thus, the distance between the communication terminal and the output device is relatively large. A mobile device that is close enough to the communication terminal to enable NFC is too far from the output device to enable NFC with the output device. Typically, the output device does not actually need to have NFC capabilities. The output device provides output to a user of the mobile device, and the controller controls the output device to provide output based on the orientation of the mobile device. For example, the output device may indicate a visual and/or audible feedback to the user.

In this system, a mobile device, usually held and operated by a user, approaches a communication terminal in order to activate NFC. The freedom to arbitrarily orientate the mobile device is used to control the output according to the orientation of the mobile device. For example, the mobile device is a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). This system is usually referred to as the host system.

Mobile devices that provide orientation information are also known. For example, the Bluewand is a small pen-like device that can be used to control Bluetooth devices with the movement of the hand. A six-axis accelerometer and gyroscope system detects the pen's complete orientation and movement in space. The Bluetooth wireless link sends this data to any cooperating device, which then executes the associated command. Possible applications include remote control of various consumer electronics, access control to machines and buildings, virtual laser pointers, and mobile gaming.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 2, the output means is a display device which displays display information as displayed information. The displayed information may be displayed on the screen of the display device. Alternatively, the displayed information may be displayed on a projection screen or a wall. Display information can be images, movies, or other visual information. The controller receives orientation information about the orientation of the mobile device through the communication terminal. For example, orientation information may be the pointing or azimuth of the mobile device, one or more dimensions of tilt, roll, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the orientation information may be raw data, eg indicating the orientation of the mobile device relative to the earth's surface, the controller now has to process the raw data to obtain the orientation of the mobile device.

The controller generates a visual indicator that indicates a location in the displayed information based on the orientation of the mobile device. For example, a marker is indicated at a location on the display that can be indicated by changing the orientation of the mobile device or by holding the mobile device in a particular orientation. Alternatively, the orientation of the mobile device may select a specific area in the displayed information. This selection can be made visible to the user by, for example, highlighting the area. For example, highlighting may be to increase brightness, change color or draw a border around the area, or any other way of indicating to the user which of the displayed information corresponds to the actual orientation of the mobile device.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 3, the visual indicator indicates a location within the displayed information defined by a direction in which the mobile device points to a particular area of the displayed information. Now, with a mobile device having a pointing direction pointing at the displayed information, the displayed information is the most intuitive way to use the orientation of the mobile device to indicate a location on the displayed information. Typically, a mobile device is shaped to clearly indicate to the user in which direction it is pointing. For example, a mobile device may have an elongated shape with a pointing axis.

In the embodiment of claim 4, the controller obtains the mobile device's PIN to assign to the mobile device a visual indicator with selection to be uniquely associated with another mobile device. Another visual indicator of a device that communicates with the communication terminal or with other terminals in the system. Assigning different indicators to different mobile devices allows different users to communicate with the system at the same time. Each user has a specific indicator that can be recognized by that user. If these indicators are markers, these markers may vary in shape and/or color. If the indicator is a specific area highlighted (for example, represented as a key), then use different colors for different users.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 5, the output device is a sound transducer such as eg a loudspeaker. The controller receives information about the orientation of the mobile device through the communication terminal. The controller activates the sound transmitter according to the orientation of the mobile device.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 6, the sound transducer is activated when the mobile device is pointed at the sound transducer. For example, a description explaining the displayed content is initiated by pointing the speaker for a predetermined period of time. Speakers can be positioned in the vicinity of displayed information so that sounds can be automatically associated with the displayed information. Alternatively, the speakers may be part of a headset.

Alternatively, the orientation of the mobile device can be used to control the lighting. For example, the orientation of the mobile device can be used to dim lights, or to control the color of lights. For example, in solid-state lighting, the color of LED lights or pixilated walls can be adjusted. On a pixel wall, for example, the pointed location may be indicated by the blinking of the LED or the color change of the LED. Alternatively, the orientation of the mobile device may be used to control sound volume/pitch/balance, light (or pixel) intensity/color, room temperature, camera zoom function, or any other perceivable quantity. This amount can be controlled with a one-dimensional rotation about the pointing axis of the mobile device.

In another embodiment, the output device is a user interface. The information referenced by the user interface from the system is then sent to the mobile device for display to the user on the output means of the mobile device itself. Such an output component is, for example, a display. In an application, the user interface is a screen with names or options. Then, more detailed information about the name or option is sent to the mobile device and displayed on the display. This allows users to read the information in greater depth. This is very convenient for the disabled or the elderly, and it is also relatively convenient in the evening or night environment. Then, the display can be lit so that it can be seen correctly. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, using the list of names, the user can select a name to establish a wireless connection such as a telephone call. The user may then request to open a door near the user interface, or may request other information.

In another application, a user interface selection will initiate an action. The result of the action will be displayed on the output part of the mobile device. This could be a phone call from a help desk to a mobile device. It may also be more detailed information about the path to find a selected location within an office. In another application, the user interface might be a security feature. For example, after identification with the NFC protocol, the user can be requested to point his mobile device at a selected area.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 7, after establishing communication with the near field communication unit, the controller determines the pointing direction of the mobile device based on the position of the near field communication unit and the orientation of the mobile device. It should be noted that the (relative) positions of the communication terminal and the output device are system-defined and thus known. Because, at least at the beginning of the communication, the mobile device must be located in the vicinity of the communication terminal, and the position of the mobile device relative to the output device is known. As a result, knowledge of the position of the mobile device is not required, it is sufficient to know the angle of the mobile device relative to the Earth's surface or relative to the Earth's magnetic field or relative to the Earth's gravitational field, or any combination thereof. This embodiment has the advantage that the mobile device does not have to be able to sense its position or communicate its position to the communication terminal.

In the embodiment of claim 8, the host system further comprises another communication unit for communicating with the mobile device. The range of the other communication unit is greater than the range of the near field communication unit. Another communication unit may provide Bluetooth, WiFi or any other longer range wireless communication capable of NFC over a greater distance capable of NFC. This has the advantage that after initiation of NFC communication, the communication between the mobile device and the host system may be taken over by a larger range of communication allowing the user to move more freely. To the user, keeping the mobile device in direct proximity to the communication terminal for long periods of time to keep NFC unaffected seems very cumbersome. After NFC activation, people tend to move their arms to a relaxed position. Communication is now maintained by employing another communication unit. Another communication unit may or may not be located within the communication terminal. A single further communication unit may be employed to support multiple NFC communication terminals.

After detecting that NFC is no longer possible, a wider range of communication can be established. But this may have the disadvantage that the communication will be interrupted.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 9, the controller switches the communication between the host system and the mobile device from the near field communication unit to the other communication unit. Thus, at least during the activation of NFC, the mobile device needs to be sufficiently close to the communication terminal. Once the communication is initiated, the wider range communication takes over from NFC. As a result, wider range communications took over NFC almost immediately after it was launched. Thus, when the mobile device moves away from the communication terminal, and NFC is no longer possible, the communication continues since it has already been effectively communicated through a wider range of communication units.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 10, the controller monitors the average orientation of the mobile device as the mobile device changes its position while pointing at the output device. For example, if the user moves the mobile device away from the communication terminal while the mobile device is still pointing at the same position of the displayed image, it is assumed that the user is still pointing at the same position of the displayed image. As a result, corrections may be made to change the orientation of the mobile device as the position of the mobile device changes. This monitoring mode can be initiated after it has been detected that NFC is no longer possible.

In one embodiment, the mobile device includes an electronic compass as an orientation sensor that indicates the orientation of the mobile device. An example of such an electronic compass is the "TruePoint Compass Module" of Honeywell, California, USA. Instructions for this electronic compass can be found on Honeywell's website. TruePoint Compass Module is a true three-axis digital compass module that can be used in any orientation. Data from three silicon magnetometers and three accelerometers are combined to provide compass azimuth as well as tilt and roll angles. Therefore, such compasses are well suited for providing orientation information. Another example of such an electronic compass includes a three-dimensional accelerometer and a two-dimensional magnetometer disclosed in PCT/IB2006/051314 (PH000613) and PCT/IB2006/051317 (PH000319). The fact that a magnetometer does not need to be a 3D sensor but can be a 2D sensor is a great advantage since 2D magnetometer sensors are easier and less expensive to manufacture, and are more durable and smaller in size.

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments illustrated hereinafter.

The invention relates to another aspect, namely a mobile device suitable for use in a system as claimed in claim 1 . According to the invention, the mobile device comprises means for near field communication with a near field communication unit. The mobile device also includes an electronic compass that indicates the orientation of the mobile device. In this paper, the electronic compass is calibrated with the help of position data obtained from a near field communication unit. This calibration can be accomplished with a controller in the system. Thereafter, information can be provided to the user on any output device of the mobile device itself. The user can send information to the system with any input device of his mobile device. Such information may advantageously be communicated between the communication terminal and the mobile device using other communication protocols, such as W-LAN, Bluetooth, etc.

Description of drawings

In the attached picture:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a structure comprising a communication terminal for NFC, a mobile device with which the mobile device communicates to provide an output according to an orientation of the mobile device to control the output device, and

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a mobile device and a communication terminal.

It should be noted that items with the same reference numerals in different drawings have the same structural characteristics and the same functions, or are the same signals. When explaining the functions and/or structures of such items, it is not necessary to repeat their explanations in a detailed manner.

Detailed ways

FIG. 1 schematically shows a structure including a communication terminal for NFC, a mobile device with which the mobile device communicates to control an output device to provide an output according to an orientation of the mobile device. The system shown includes three communication terminals CT1, CT2 and CT3. In the example shown, the output means include a display device OD1, a projector (not shown) and two speakers OD2 and OD3, the display device OD1 has a display screen on which display information DI1 is displayed, and the projector will display the information DI2 is projected on the wall of the room. Alternatively, the display can be formed by a video wall comprising several display screens or projectors that together generate a large image. For example, display information might be merchandise for sale, advertisements, music playlists, electoral rolls, game entries, museum information, etc. The mobile devices MD1, MD2, and MD3 respectively perform NFC (near field communication, near field communication) with the communication terminals CT1, CT2, and CT3. The first system comprises communication terminals CT1, CT2 and output devices OD1, OD2, OD3. The second communication system includes a communication terminal CT3 and a projector. In both systems, the relative positions of the communication terminals CT1-CT3 and the output devices OD1-OD4 are known, thus the positions of the displayed information DI1, DI2 are known.

In the first system, a first user holding a mobile device MD1 points with the mobile device to a position indicated by a marker 30 on the screen of the display device OD1. Since the mobile devices MD1, MD2 are in proximity to the communication terminals CT1, CT2 respectively, their positions relative to the display information DI1 are known. This is sufficient to communicate the orientation of the mobile devices MD1, MD2 to the communication terminals CT1, CT2 respectively. From the transmitted orientation and the assumed position of the mobile device MD1 , MD2 the communication terminal CT1 , CT2 can determine where the mobile device MD1 , MD2 is pointing. The communication terminals CT1, CT2 insert marks 30, 31 in the display information DI (see FIG. 2) to display the marks 30, 31 in the display information DI1 at the respective positions pointed by the mobile devices MD1, MD2.

Markers 30, 31 are used to give feedback to the user where he is pointing. For example, pointing at the same area for longer than a predetermined time may take a specific action. For example, if the marker is within a displayed key, the action defined by this key will be performed. Alternatively, the user may press a key on the mobile device MD1 to indicate that the action associated with the pointed area should be performed.

In the same way, the user can point the mobile device MD1 at one of the speakers OD2, OD3 to indicate that the sound should start playing or stop playing.

It is not necessary that both mobile devices MD1 , MD2 communicate with respective associated communication terminals CT1 , CT2 located at different locations. There may be multiple NFC communication transceivers in the same communication terminal CT1, or two or more mobile devices MD1, MD2 may approach a single NFC transceiver and thereby perform NFC communication with a single communication terminal CT1. A single communication terminal CT1 can interact with multiple output devices.

Although very intuitive, it is not necessary to point the mobile device MD1 where the marker should be inserted. For example, it may be assumed that, independently of the orientation of the mobile device MD1, when NFC is established, the marker must be located at a predetermined position on the screen. All orientation changes of the mobile device MD1 relative to its orientation when establishing NFC will move the marker in the indicated direction.

In the second system, the projector projects display information DI2 showing the buttons B1 to B4. The communication terminal CT3 determines where the mobile device MD3 is pointing, and if the pointing position of the mobile device MD3 is within the area covered by one of the buttons B1-B4, highlights this button B1-B4. Also, although very intuitive, it is not essential that the mobile device MD3 should point to where the key should be highlighted. For example, it may be assumed that, independently of the orientation of the mobile device MD3, when NFC is established, the button B1 is highlighted. All orientation changes of the mobile device MD3 can be interpreted as starting from the center of the button B1.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a mobile device and a host system. The mobile device MD1 includes a near field communication unit 20 , a communication unit 21 , an orientation sensor 22 and a PIN memory 23 . The host system HS includes a near field communication unit 10 , a communication unit 12 and a controller 11 . Although it is shown in FIG. 2 that the near field communication unit 10, the communication unit 12 and the controller 11 are physically located in the communication terminal CT1, other architectures are also feasible, that is, the controller 11 and/or the communication unit 12 are physically located in the communication terminal CT1. is not located in the communication terminal CT1. As shown in Fig. 1, the host system may support multiple near field communication units 10, and these communication units are located in the same communication terminal CT1, or in different communication terminals CT1, CT2, CT3. It is assumed, but not required, that a single communication unit 12 and a single controller 11 are sufficient to enable the host system to communicate with different mobile phones already registered on the host system.

The near field communication unit 20 of the mobile device MD1 (such as a mobile phone or a PDA) provides a near field communication path CP1 for communicating with the near field communication unit 10 of the communication terminal CT1. Typically, the near field communication path CP1 is automatically activated when the mobile device MD1 is moved close enough to the communication terminal that the two components are within near field communication range of each other. Typically, this relatively short near-field range is on the order of centimeters, eg 20cm. Optionally, the mobile device MD1 may comprise a wider range communication unit 21 . This communication unit 21 together with the optional communication unit 12 in the communication terminal CT1 provides a communication path CP2 having a larger communication range than the communication path CP1. The addition of a wider range of communication path CP2 has the advantage of simply bringing the mobile device MD1 close enough to the communication terminal CT1 once communication via the near field communication path CP1 is initiated by simply bringing the mobile device MD1 sufficiently close to the communication terminal CT1 , then even when the mobile device MD1 moves out of the range of the near field communication, communication can be maintained through the communication path CP2. For example, the communication path CP2 may be provided according to Bluetooth or WiFi standards. However, any wireless communication protocol may be implemented.

The orientation sensor 22 provides orientation information SD about the orientation of the mobile device MD1 to the relatively short-range near-field communication unit 20 and/or the longer-range communication unit 21 . The orientation information SD can be provided in many ways. For example, heading and/or vertical tilt may be provided, or a vector defined by three values in an orthogonal coordinate system relating to the Earth's gravitational or magnetic field may be provided. The combination of azimuth and altitude information allows, for example, two degrees of freedom indication on a display screen represented by a two-dimensional X-Y coordinate system. The orientation information SD can be raw or averaged sensor data. It is sufficient for the mobile device MD1 to provide only orientation information, the orientation information SD is not required to provide the location of the mobile device MD1. This location is implicitly known when near field communication is activated.

The optional personal identification number memory 23 stores a unique identification number PI that uniquely identifies the mobile device MD1. By sending this unique identifier PI to the host system via the near field communication path CP1 and/or the communication path CP2, the host system knows with which mobile device MD1 it communicates.

The near field communication unit 10 provides the received orientation information OI1 to the controller 11 . The wider range communication unit 12 provides the received orientation information OI2 to the controller 11 . Usually, the received orientation information OI1 and OI2 are identical to the orientation information SD. However, the received orientation information OI1 and OI2 may be an encoded version of the orientation information SD which needs to be decoded by the controller 11 . Optimal communication via communication paths CP1 and CP2 requires encoding of orientation information. Depending on the mode of use of the mobile device MD1, either the communication unit 10 or the communication unit 12 is active, or both the communication unit 10 and the communication unit 12 are active. During start-up, when the mobile device MD1 enters into near field communication with the communication terminal CT1, the near field communication unit 10 should remain active until the near field communication path CP1 is activated. Then, the communication units 12 and 21 become active to take over the communication. It is also possible to activate the communication units 12 and 21 only when it is detected that the signal strength in the near field communication path CP1 is less than a predetermined value or when it is detected that the mobile device MD1 is outside the near field communication range due to a failure of the communication path. The controller 11 controls switching on/off of the communication units 10 and 12 with control signals CS1, CS2, respectively. NFC is used to authenticate the mobile device, or indeed the user of the mobile device, after which only preferably a secure data connection, eg a Bluetooth connection, is established. Alternatively, the NFC unit 10 may be always active so that any approaching mobile device MD1 can be detected.

The controller 11 generates display information DI, which is supplied to the output device OD1, and displays the display information as displayed information DI1. For example, the display information DI1 may be a computer-generated image or a photo or a movie.

The controller 11 identifies the pointing position indicated by the mobile device MD1 using the received orientation information OI1 or OI2. For example, the identification of the pointing location may be a marker 30 on the location in the displayed information DI1. For example, if the image is a representation of a group of animals, the user may manipulate the orientation of the mobile device MD1 so that the marker 30 is on the animal for which the user wishes to obtain more information. If the marker 30 is kept on the animal for more than a predetermined time, the next image is shown giving more details about the animal. In addition to holding the marker 30 on the same object for longer than a predetermined time, the mobile device MD1 may have a user selector, such as a key, which when activated by the user indicates selection of a certain object. Alternatively, the image may have predetermined areas such as keys, which are highlighted by the controller 11 when it is detected from the received orientation information OI1 and OI2 that the mobile device is held at an orientation indicating a predetermined area.

In an intuitive embodiment, the mobile device MD1 has an elongated form with an axis defined as the pointing direction of the mobile device MD1. The position pointed to in the displayed information DI1 is the intersection of this axis and the displayed information DI1.

In an alternative configuration, the controller 11 of the host system provides only the location to which the mobile device MD1 is pointed in the displayed information DI1. The indication CS3 of this position in the displayed information DI1 is carried out, for example, in the output device OD1 . In this configuration, the controller 11 does not need to provide information to be displayed.

The system can be operated according to the three step protocol described below.

In a first step, the user initiates the login protocol by keeping the mobile device MD1 in the vicinity of the NFC unit 10 of the communication terminal CT1. The host system authenticates the mobile user through his mobile device MD1 (eg, a mobile phone). During the verification phase, the communication terminal initiates a secure and unique communication path CP2 between the communication terminal CT1 and the mobile device MD1. User interaction may be required during authentication, for example, a password or user code may be required. Once the user has logged in, the communication terminal can retrieve the necessary information from data collected in the mobile device MD1 or stored in the communication terminal or (for example) from data retrieved on the Internet to allow billing or displaying such as in the case of sale items Further options such as personalization of the information DI1.

In an optional second step, the communication path is changed from the NFC CP1 path to the wider communication path CP2. The transition from NFC to eg Bluetooth communication is performed seamlessly in a manner transparent to the user. The user need not be actively involved in this communication transition.

The third step is to activate the pointing function. An electronic compass can include a 2D sensor that must be held level for correct heading or azimuth information, or it can include a tilt-compensated 3D sensor that provides azimuth and altitude information. The position of the mobile device MD1 is assumed to be the same as the position of the communication terminal CT1 based on the known position of the communication terminal CT1 in the system. The mobile device also includes a GPS receiver to determine its location. This is especially appropriate, for example, if the location of the communication terminal CT1 is unknown in the system, or if the mobile device MD1 has been moved away from the communication terminal CT1 and the high accuracy of the real location of the mobile device MD1 is appropriate. In order to improve the correct positioning of the mobile device MD1, the user can be given an additional indication (for example, by a marked area on the floor) where he might keep the mobile device MD1, for example close to the communication terminal CT1. Alternatively, the system may estimate the location of the mobile device MD1 by monitoring the average pointing direction during movement of the mobile device MD1 while pointing at substantially the same location, area or output device. However, if the user wishes to switch between output devices, for example, from a first output device to a second output device, the system should be able to detect the switch, otherwise, a change in the orientation of the mobile device MD1 can still be interpreted as A change in the pointed position in the first output device. This automatic detection can be obtained if the user keeps his mobile device MD1 close to the communication terminals CT1, CT2, CT3 to establish the NFC link. Alternatively, the user may indicate such an event by activating a specific user input, such as a key. For all output devices that are not spatially connected over a limited solid angle, monitoring the (moving) average pointing direction is only valid for a single output device, or under relaxed conditions. In this case, the host system provides indication functionality for multiple output devices. An example is the combination of wall displays so that a user can seamlessly roam through the different displays while pointing with his mobile phone, including the concept of monitoring the average pointing direction.

The user interacts with the output device OD1 in the system by pointing at it. If the output device provides displayed information DI1, the pointed position is visible. A button of the mobile device MD1 can be used as a click function. Alternatively, tilt or rotation about the pointing axis of the mobile device MD1 may be used as an analog or digital input. The pointing function need not be limited to a single output device OD1, but may have spatial coverage including multiple output devices OD1, OD2, OD3.

The locations of the components of the system must be known. All position information can be predetermined in the controller 11 or entered into the controller 11 during a system calibration step. Preferably, the location information is stored in the controller 11 in a database format. Using a combination of the location information of the system elements, the assumed or true location of the mobile device MD1 and the orientation of the mobile device MD1, the pointed output device or the pointed area of the output device can be calculated.

Alternatively, the calibration process may be performed with a dedicated pointing device from at least one reference location, allowing the database of calibrated pointing directions of the output devices OD1-OD3 to be populated or updated with the pointing device's position as the origin. The combination of at least two reference points and the corresponding pointing directions of the pointing device enables the system to calculate the 3D position of the output devices OD1 - OD3 relative to the pointing device by adopting the triangulation principle or multiple triangulation principle. Since the user's initial location is implicitly provided by the location of the NFC terminal CT1 when the user logs in, no other calibration is required for the user during the log-in process.

Using a mobile device MD1 with pointing functionality has the advantage that a single NFC terminal CT1 allows the user to choose between multiple items of displayed information DI1 . This pointing method is easier to use than numbered entry. However, at the same time, for example, the input of a number can be provided for a mobile device MD1 without a pointing function. Since the mobile device MD1 can point to the displayed information OD1 without being in close contact with the area where the displayed information OD1 is displayed, the pointing function allows more system design flexibility. In addition, since the distance between the area where the displayed information OD1 is displayed and the user increases, only the communication terminal CT1 needs to be protected from vandalism.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those mentioned in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of the same element. The invention can be implemented by means of a suitably programmed computer comprising various components. In the device claims enumerating several means, several such means can be embodied by one and the same hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims (17)

1. A system comprising: a communication terminal (CT1) having a near field communication unit (10) for performing near field communication with a mobile device (MD1) when within range of said near field communication unit (10); an output device (OD1; OD2) positioned outside the range of said near field communication unit (10) for providing output to a user of said mobile device (MD1); and A controller (11) for controlling said output device (OD1; OD2) to provide an output according to the orientation (D1) of said mobile device (MD1). 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said output device (OD1; OD2) is a display device (OD1) for displaying display information (DI) as displayed information (DI1), and wherein said The controller (11) is used to receive orientation information (SD) about the orientation (D1) of the mobile device (MD1) through the communication terminal (CT1), and is configured to The orientation (D1) of produces a visual indicator (30) indicating the position in the displayed information (DI1). 3. A system according to claim 2, wherein a visual indicator (30) indicates a location in the displayed information (DI1) to which a specific part of the displayed information is pointed by the mobile device (MD1). The pointing direction (D1) of the area is defined. 4. A system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the controller (11) is configured to take the personal identification number (PI) of the mobile device (MD1) and assign it with another available A visual indicator (30) of a shape that is uniquely distinguishable depending on the indicator (31) associated with another mobile device (MD2), the other mobile device ( MD2) communicates with the communication terminal (CT1) or another communication terminal (CT2) of the system. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said output device (OD1; OD2) is an acoustic transmitter (OD2), and wherein said controller (11) is used to obtain from said communication terminal ( CT1) receives information about the orientation (D1) of said mobile device (MD1) and is structured to activate said sound transmitter (OD2) depending on the orientation (D1) of said mobile device (MD1). 6. A system according to claim 4, wherein said controller (11) is configured to turn on or off said sound transmitter (OD2) when said mobile device (MD1) is pointed at said sound transmitter (OD2) device (OD2). 7. The system according to claim 3 or 6, wherein the controller (11) is configured to, when the mobile device (MD1) establishes communication with the near field communication unit (10), according to the The position of the near field communication unit (10) and the orientation of said mobile device (MD1) determine the pointing direction (D1) of said mobile device (MD1). 8. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a further communication unit (12) for communicating with the mobile device (MD1), the range of the further communication unit (12) being greater than The range of the near field communication unit (10) is large. 9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the controller (11) is configured to transfer the communication with the mobile device (MD1) from the near field communication unit (10) after the near field communication is established. ) is switched to said another communication unit (12). 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said controller (11) is configured to monitor said output device (OD1) when said mobile device (MD1) changes position during The average orientation or average pointing direction of said mobile device (MD1) is used to estimate the changing position of said mobile device (MD1). 11. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a mobile device (MD1) having a near field communication unit (20) for communicating with said A near field communication unit (10) of a communication terminal (CT1) performs near field communication. 12. A system according to claim 11 when dependent on claim 8, wherein said mobile device (MD1) further comprises a further communication unit (21) for communicating with said further communication unit (12) , the range of another communication unit (21) of the mobile device (MD1) is larger than the range of the near field communication unit (20) of the mobile device (MD1). 13. System according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the mobile device (MD1) comprises an orientation sensor (22) for indicating the orientation (D1) of the mobile device (MD1). 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the orientation sensor (22) is an electronic compass. 15. A system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the mobile device is or comprises a mobile phone or a PDA. 16. A method of communicating within a system comprising a communication terminal (CT1) and an output device (OD1), said communication terminal (CT1) having a near-field communication unit (10) for communicating when a mobile device (MD1) is located at said performing near-field communication with the mobile device (MD1) when within the range of the near-field communication unit (10), the output device (OD1) is positioned outside the range of the near-field communication unit (10), using For providing output to a user of said mobile device (MD1), said method comprises: The output device (OD1) is controlled (11) to provide an output according to the orientation (D1) of the mobile device (MD1). 17. A mobile device suitable for use in the system of claim 1, comprising: A device for near field communication with a near field communication unit of a communication terminal when within range of said near field communication unit; an orientation sensor for indicating the orientation of the mobile device.

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