Abstract: One example discloses a near-field interface device, including: a near-field antenna; a physical port configured to be coupled to a computer; a controller coupled to the antenna and the physical port; wherein the controller is configured to translate a near-field signal received from the near-field antenna into an input command generated by a user; and wherein the controller is configured to transmit the input command to the computer through the physical port.

Abstract: One example discloses a near-field interface device, including: a near-field antenna; a physical port configured to be coupled to a computer; a controller coupled to the antenna and the physical port; wherein the controller is configured to translate a near-field signal received from the near-field antenna into an input command generated by a user; and wherein the controller is configured to transmit the input command to the computer through the physical port.

Abstract: One example discloses a near-field wireless device, configured to be coupled to a host conductive structure, including: an electric near-field antenna, having a first conductive antenna surface coupled to a first feed point, and a second conductive antenna surface coupled to a second feed point; wherein the first and second conductive surfaces are separated by an air-gap; wherein the first and second conductive surfaces are configured to be substantially equidistant from the host conductive structure; and wherein the first and second conductive surfaces geometrically conform to the host conductive structure.

Abstract: A near-field device, including: a near-field receiver coupled to a near-field receiver antenna and a decoder circuit; wherein the near-field receiver antenna is configured to be capacitively coupled at a first location on a conductive structure; wherein the near-field receiver antenna is configured to receive a near-field signal from the conductive structure through the receiver's capacitive coupling; and wherein the decoder circuit is configured to detect variations in the near-field signal.

Abstract: One example discloses a near-field wireless device, configured to be coupled to a host conductive structure, including: an electric near-field antenna, having a first conductive antenna surface coupled to a first feed point, and a second conductive antenna surface coupled to a second feed point; wherein the first and second conductive surfaces are separated by an air-gap; wherein the first and second conductive surfaces are configured to be substantially equidistant from the host conductive structure; and wherein the first and second conductive surfaces geometrically conform to the host conductive structure.

Abstract: One example discloses a first wireless device, including: a wireless device presence detection module configured to, generate a second wireless device presence signal if a second wireless device is within a preselected range; and generate a third wireless device presence signal if a third wireless device is within the preselected range; and a communications control module, configured to, enable communication between the first and second wireless devices in response to the second device presence signal; and disable communication between the first and third wireless devices in response to the third device presence signal.

Abstract: An antenna system is provided that is capable of transmitting and receiving using near-field magnetic induction (NFMI). The antenna system includes a non-magnetic metallic core, a ferrite shield, and at least one electrically conducting winding. The ferrite shield is positioned between the non-magnetic metallic core and the electrically conducting winding. The non-magnetic metallic core may be a battery. The ferrite material forms a low impedance path for the magnetic field lines and increases inductance, thus providing increased energy efficiency and transmission quality. The antenna system is suitable for use in space constrained battery powered devices, such as hear instruments including hearing aids and earbuds.

Abstract: One example discloses a near-field device, comprising: a near-field receiver coupled to a near-field receiver antenna and a decoder circuit; wherein the near-field receiver antenna is configured to be capacitively coupled at a first location of a first substance; wherein the near-field receiver antenna is configured to receive a first near-field signal from the first substance through the receiver's capacitive coupling; and wherein the decoder circuit is configured to compare an attribute of the first near-field signal to an attribute of a second near-field signal received from a second substance.

Abstract: One example discloses an apparatus for wireless communication, including: a first wireless device configured to communicate with a second wireless device over a first wireless link, according to a first wireless link protocol; wherein the first wireless link protocol defines communications between the first wireless device and the second wireless device; wherein the first wireless device is configured to monitor communications on a second wireless link between the second wireless device and a third wireless device; wherein the second wireless link is configured according to a second wireless link protocol that defines communications between the second wireless device and the third wireless device; and wherein the first wireless device is configured to spoof the second wireless device in response to an error condition or signal degradation on the second wireless link.

Abstract: One example discloses a first wireless device, including: a wireless device presence detection module configured to, generate a second wireless device presence signal if a second wireless device is within a preselected range; and generate a third wireless device presence signal if a third wireless device is within the preselected range; and a communications control module, configured to, enable communication between the first and second wireless devices in response to the second device presence signal; and disable communication between the first and third wireless devices in response to the third device presence signal.

Abstract: One example discloses an apparatus for wireless communication, including: a first wireless device configured to communicate with a second wireless device over a first wireless link, according to a first wireless link protocol; wherein the first wireless link protocol defines communications between the first wireless device and the second wireless device; wherein the first wireless device is configured to monitor communications on a second wireless link between the second wireless device and a third wireless device; wherein the second wireless link is configured according to a second wireless link protocol that defines communications between the second wireless device and the third wireless device; and wherein the first wireless device is configured to spoof the second wireless device in response to an error condition or signal degradation on the second wireless link.

Abstract: One example discloses a near-field device, comprising: a near-field receiver coupled to a near-field receiver antenna and a decoder circuit; wherein the near-field receiver antenna is configured to be capacitively coupled at a first location of a first substance; wherein the near-field receiver antenna is configured to receive a first near-field signal from the first substance through the receiver's capacitive coupling; and wherein the decoder circuit is configured to compare an attribute of the first near-field signal to an attribute of a second near-field signal received from a second substance.

Abstract: A near-field device, including: a near-field receiver coupled to a near-field receiver antenna and a decoder circuit; wherein the near-field receiver antenna is configured to be capacitively coupled at a first location on a conductive structure; wherein the near-field receiver antenna is configured to receive a near-field signal from the conductive structure through the receiver's capacitive coupling; and wherein the decoder circuit is configured to detect variations in the near-field signal.

Abstract: An antenna system is provided that is capable of transmitting and receiving using near-field magnetic induction (NFMI). The antenna system includes a non-magnetic metallic core, a ferrite shield, and at least one electrically conducting winding. The ferrite shield is positioned between the non-magnetic metallic core and the electrically conducting winding. The non-magnetic metallic core may be a battery. The ferrite material forms a low impedance path for the magnetic field lines and increases inductance, thus providing increased energy efficiency and transmission quality. The antenna system is suitable for use in space constrained battery powered devices, such as hear instruments including hearing aids and earbuds.