Apple RFID Wi-Fi Patent

A US patent was published today for Apple technology that could potentially ease Wi-Fi networking most or all of the latter's future devices. Titled "RFID network arrangement," the patent would see the firm use an RFID transceiver built into a base station and loaded with wireless network information, such as network names and security authentication. The information could then be sent to any device in a network with a synchronized RFID tag, automatically providing network details without requiring software setup on the device in question.

Devices would not even need to be turned on while the sync process takes place, the patent notes, as the network could either use passive RFID tags or else provide a small, separate power supply.

In addition to simplifying the setup process for computers on a particular network, the technique would also allow Wi-Fi access to portable hardware for which software setup would be difficult, if not impossible. A Wi-Fi enabled remote without a screen would still be able to connect to a local network and control music playback or other functionss "merely by bringing it into proximity with the computer or network base station," the patent says.

The patent opens a gateway for Apple, allowing it to potentially streamline wireless links with future versions of the Airport Extreme base station as well as the Apple Remote, iPods, Macs, and other devices from the company. A photo illustrating the basic concept follows below.

By Electronista Staff