Methods and apparatus for improving nfc connection through device positioning

Abstract

Aspects disclosed herein relate to improving near field communication (NFC) device positioning for performing a NFC action based on one or more sensory cues. In one example, a NFC device may be equipped to detect that a device is attempting to perform a NFC action to communicate with a remote NFC device and may provide a first sensory cue to indicate a first location on a first surface of the device corresponding to an antenna location on a second surface of the device in response to the determination that the device is attempting to perform the NFC action. The NFC device may be further operable to determine a type of NFC action the device is attempting to perform and provide a second sensory cue indicating a second location on the first surface of the device based on one or more factors associated with the determined type of NFC action.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of wireless communications, comprising:
 detecting that a device is attempting to perform a near field communication (NFC) action to communicate with a remote NFC device; and   providing a first sensory cue to indicate a first location on a first surface of the device corresponding to an antenna location on a second surface of the device in response to the determination that the device is attempting to perform the NFC action   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a type of NFC action the device is attempting to perform; and   providing a second sensory cue indicating a second location on the first surface of the device based on one or more factors associated with the determined type of NFC action.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more factors includes comparative sizes of an antenna associated with the remote NFC device and the antenna associated with the device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more factors includes a coupling value indicating a strength of magnetic coupling of an antenna associated with the remote NFC device and the antenna location. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first sensory cue and the second sensory cue comprises a graphical representation on a user interface of the device on the first surface. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the graphical representation comprises at least one of a target shape, text indicating a location, and text indicating one or more directions for a user to follow. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first sensory cue and the second sensory cue comprises a variable vibration indication, wherein the variable vibration indication changes at least one of a frequency and an intensity of the device vibration based on a distance between the first or second location and a current positioning of the device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first sensory cue and the second sensory cue comprises a variable auditory indication, wherein the variable auditory indication changes at least one of a frequency, a voice message, and a volume of the device auditory indication based on a distance between the first or second location and a current positioning of the device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting further comprises detecting at least one of:
 activation of the device;   initiation of an application;   a change in orientation of the device; and   a user input.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus, comprising:
 means for detecting that a device is attempting to perform a near field communication (NFC) action to communicate with a remote NFC device; and   means for providing a first sensory cue to indicate a first location on a first surface of the device corresponding to an antenna location on a second surface of the device in response to the determination that the device is attempting to perform the NFC action   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 means for determining a type of NFC action the device is attempting to perform; and   means for providing a second sensory cue indicating a second location on the first surface of the device based on one or more factors associated with the determined type of NFC action.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more factors includes comparative sizes of an antenna associated with the remote NFC device and the antenna associated with the device. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more factors includes a coupling value indicating a strength of magnetic coupling of an antenna associated with the remote NFC device and the antenna location. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first sensory cue and the second sensory cue comprises a graphical representation on a user interface of the device on the first surface. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the graphical representation comprises at least one of a target shape, text indicating a location, and text indicating one or more directions for a user to follow. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first sensory cue and the second sensory cue comprises a variable vibration indication, wherein the variable vibration indication changes at least one of a frequency and an intensity of the device vibration based on a distance between the first or second location and a current positioning of the device. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first sensory cue and the second sensory cue comprises a variable auditory indication, wherein the variable auditory indication changes at least one of a frequency, a voice message, and a volume of the device auditory indication based on a distance between the first or second location and a current positioning of the device. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first surface is substantially parallel to the second surface and the first and second surfaces are on opposite sides of the device, and wherein the first surface further includes a user interface and wherein at least one of the first and second sensory cues further include one or more graphical representations displayed on the user interface. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the means for detecting further comprises means for detecting at least one of:
 activation of the device;   initiation of an application;   a change in orientation of the device; and   a user input.   
     
     
         20 . A method of wireless communications, comprising:
 detecting that a device is attempting to perform a near field communication (NFC) action to communicate with a remote NFC device; and   providing one or more sensory cues to indicate a first location on a first surface of the device corresponding to an antenna location on a second surface of the device in response to the determination that the device is attempting to perform the NFC action.