Textile-Based Game Controller Platform Through Combination of Bluetooth and Passive UHF RFID

Abstract

This study demonstrates an early prototype of a textile-based game controller platform combining Bluetooth and passive ultra-high frequency (UHF) radiofrequency identification (RFID) technologies. The developed system converts RFID input into Bluetooth signals, which can then be used as inputs for any applications. The system employs two serial communication channels: one with the computer and microcontroller and the other with the microcontroller and Bluetooth. When a user taps the textile RFID platform, data is sent from the software to the microcontroller, then from the microcontroller to a mobile phone with a game app prototype. As a preliminary test, the system is successfully controlled using three types of platform antenna designs. In addition to game controlling, these battery-free platforms can be integrated into clothing and furniture for controlling, e.g., smart home applications.