Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, comprising: an antenna for communication with the terminal, an embedded clip configured to communicate with the terminal in accordance with a contactless transmission protocol whereby a message sent by the terminal sets a specified initial waiting time for a response from the embedded chip to maintain a connection with the terminal, the embedded chip being configured to communicate requests to the terminal to extend the waiting time for response, and a module configured to perform processing formed of a plurality of discrete operations, the module being configured to, in response to completing a subset of one or more discrete operations within a waiting time interval set by the terminal, send a first type of command to the embedded chip if the processing is not complete: wherein the embedded chip is further configured to, in response to receiving the first type of command, communicate a request to the terminal to extend the waiting time for response.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, comprising: an antenna for communication with the terminal; an embedded chip configured to communicate with the terminal in accordance with a contactless transmission protocol whereby a message sent by the terminal sets a specified initial waiting time for a response from the embedded chip to maintain a connection with the terminal, the embedded chip being configured to communicate requests to the terminal to extend the waiting time for response; and a module configured to perform processing formed of a plurality of discrete operations, the module being configured to, in response to completing a subset of one or more discrete operations within a waiting time interval set by the terminal, send a first type of command to the embedded chip if the processing is not complete; wherein the embedded chip is further configured to, in response to receiving the first type of command, communicate a request to the terminal to extend the waiting time for response.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, the device comprising: an antenna for receiving a wireless signal emitted by the terminal; an embedded chip configured to generate data for communication to the terminal to perform a first function associated with the device; and a module separate from the chip configured to perform processes as part of a second function associated with the device, the module being connected to the antenna and comprising a power-harvesting unit configured to harvest power from the received wireless signal to power at least the module.

Abstract: A two-wire interface (300) for connecting a first device (106) and a second device (108). The two-wire interface (300) is operable in a handshaking mode and a data transfer mode. In the handshaking mode the first wire (302) of the interface (300) is driven by the first device (106) and the second wire (304) of the interface (300) is driven by the second device (108) so that the first (106) and second (108) devices can perform a handshaking sequence. In the data transfer mode one of the first wire (302) and the second wire (304) is driven by one of the first (106) and second (108) devices to provide a clock signal, and the other wire is driven by either the first device (106) or the second device (108) depending which device is transmitting data. Accordingly, the two-wire interfaces (300) are operable in two modes (e.g. handshaking mode and data transfer mode) and one of the wires (302, 304) of the interface (300) may be driven by a different device in the two modes.

Abstract: A device comprising: an antenna; a power harvesting circuit for harvesting power from a radio frequency field received at the antenna in order to power functions of the device; a communication unit coupled to the antenna for transmitting and receiving signals by means of the antenna, the communication device being configured to communicate according to a protocol in which a party to a communication session deems the session to have timed out if during a predetermined period it does not receive a signal from another party to the session; and a module comprising a processing circuit; the device being configured to interrupt the operation of the module when the communication unit is transmitting a signal by means of the antenna.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, the device comprising: an antenna for receiving a wireless signal emitted by the terminal; an embedded chip configured to generate data for communication to the terminal to perform a first function associated with the device; and a module separate from the chip configured to perform processes as part of a second function associated with the device, the module being connected to the antenna and comprising a power-harvesting unit configured to harvest power from the received wireless signal to power at least the module.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, the device comprising: an antenna for receiving a wireless signal emitted by the terminal; an embedded chip configured to generate data for communication to the terminal to perform a first function associated with the device; and a module separate from the chip configured to perform processes as part of a second function associated with the device, the module being connected to the antenna and comprising a power-harvesting unit configured to harvest power from the received wireless signal to power at least the module.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, comprising: an antenna for communication with the terminal; an embedded chip configured to communicate with the terminal in accordance with a contactless transmission protocol whereby a message sent by the terminal sets a specified initial waiting time for a response from the embedded chip to maintain a connection with the terminal, the embedded chip being configured to communicate requests to the terminal to extend the waiting time for response; and a module configured to perform processing formed of a plurality of discrete operations, the module being configured to, in response to completing a subset of one or more discrete operations within a waiting time interval set by the terminal, send a first type of command to the embedded chip if the processing is not complete; wherein the embedded chip is further configured to, in response to receiving the first type of command, communicate a request to the terminal to extend the waiting time for response.

Abstract: A device comprising: an antenna; a power harvesting circuit for harvesting power from a radio frequency field received at the antenna in order to power functions of the device; a communication unit coupled to the antenna for transmitting and receiving signals by means of the antenna, the communication device being configured to communicate according to a protocol in which a party to a communication session deems the session to have timed out if during a predetermined period it does not receive a signal from another party to the session; and a module comprising a processing circuit; the device being configured to interrupt the operation of the module when the communication unit is transmitting a signal by means of the antenna.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, the device comprising: an antenna for receiving a wireless signal emitted by the terminal; an embedded chip configured to generate data for communication to the terminal to perform a first function associated with the device; and a module separate from the chip configured to perform processes as part of a second function associated with the device, the module being connected to the antenna and comprising a power-harvesting unit configured to harvest power from the received wireless signal to power at least the module.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, the device comprising: an antenna for receiving a wireless signal emitted by the terminal; an embedded chip configured to generate data for communication to the terminal to perform a first function associated with the device; and a module separate from the chip configured to perform processes as part of a second function associated with the device, the module being connected to the antenna and comprising a power-harvesting unit configured to harvest power from the received wireless signal to power at least the module.

Abstract: A device for contactless communication with a terminal, the device comprising: an antenna for receiving a wireless signal emitted by the terminal; an embedded chip configured to generate data for communication to the terminal to perform a first function associated with the device; and a module separate from the chip configured to perform processes as part of a second function associated with the device, the module being connected to the antenna and comprising a power-harvesting unit configured to harvest power from the received wireless signal to power at least the module.

Abstract: An interface circuit configured to connect between (a) a broadcast receiver tuner and associated circuitry for the receiving and processing of broadcast radio frequency signals, and (b) a general purpose computer device programmed with software demodulation code configured to engage a general purpose processor in signal demodulation functions, the interface circuit comprising: a data interface comprising a packetisation buffer connected to receive (i) digital signal sample data from a signal path of the tuner and associated circuitry and (ii) indications of control settings which are applied to one or more configurable components during taking of the sample data, said packetisation buffer being operable to construct packets comprising blocks of sample data and header information carrying said control settings indications; a control interface configured to receive control instructions from tuner control code running on the general purpose computer device; and a microcontroller operable to receive the control i

Abstract: An interface circuit configured to connect between (a) a broadcast receiver tuner and associated circuitry for the receiving and processing of broadcast radio frequency signals, and (b) a general purpose computer device programmed with software demodulation code configured to engage a general purpose processor in signal demodulation functions, the interface circuit comprising: a data interface comprising a packetisation buffer connected to receive (i) digital signal sample data from a signal path of the tuner and associated circuitry and (ii) indications of control settings which are applied to one or more configurable components during taking of the sample data, said packetisation buffer being operable to construct packets comprising blocks of sample data and header information carrying said control settings indications; a control interface configured to receive control instructions from tuner control code running on the general purpose computer device; and a microcontroller operable to receive the control i

Abstract: A bridge circuit configured for connection between a tuner circuit capable of receiving broadcast analogue frequencies and a general purpose processor capable of demodulating the received broadcast signal, the circuit comprising: a tuner interface capable of receiving at least one signal component in analogue form from tuner circuitry; an analogue to digital converter connected to receive the analogue signal from the tuner interface and convert it to a digital signal for filtering; a digital filter connected to receive and filter the digital signal; an external digital interface; and a microcontroller arranged to receive control information via said external digital interface, wherein one or more or the analogue to digital converter and the digital filter is provided with a controllably variable clock input.

Abstract: A broadcast receiver system comprising: a tuner circuit operable to detect a plurality of modulated radio frequency signals, including TV broadcast signals, and comprising at least one signal path each comprising an analogue mixer and analogue filter circuitry arranged respectively to frequency convert and pre-select received analogue signals; further circuitry comprising an analogue to digital converter and digital filter circuitry; a data interface to a software demodulation module operable to engage a general purpose processor of a computer in data demodulation and decoding functions; a control, interface; and a microcontroller arranged to receive control information from said computer via the control interface.