Application-Enablement Data Switch for Legacy NFC Web Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy Near-Field Communication (NFC) systems use private, non-standard IP-based communication protocols, making it cumbersome for developers to innovate and add new Web 2.0 services without disrupting existing infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A switch, known as the Application-Enablement Data Switch (AEDS), is introduced within the NFC system to identify and extract NFC data from IP packets, reformatting it into standard protocols (e.g., HTTP or SOAP/XML) to enable communication with web application servers, thereby integrating Web 2.0 services without altering the existing legacy system's functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If private non-standard IP-based communication protocols are used in legacy NFC systems, then existing access control functionality is maintained, but Web 2.0 services cannot be integrated and system adaptability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (protocol adapter or gateway) that sits between the legacy NFC reader and Web 2.0 services. This intermediary translates private non-standard IP-based protocols into standard web protocols, enabling Web 2.0 service integration without modifying the existing NFC infrastructure. The intermediary handles protocol conversion, message formatting, and data mapping, thus resolving the contradiction by adding adaptability while isolating complexity within the translation layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional layers: the legacy NFC access control layer and the new Web 2.0 services layer, connected by a protocol adaptation layer. This segmentation allows each layer to operate independently with its own protocol standards, enabling Web 2.0 integration without disrupting existing access control functionality while managing complexity through clear interface definitions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If legacy NFC systems are updated to support Web 2.0 services, then service functionality is enhanced, but existing access control operations may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol adapter is pre-configured with translation rules and mappings between legacy NFC protocols and Web 2.0 protocols before deployment. This preliminary setup ensures that when Web 2.0 services are introduced, the translation layer is already prepared to handle protocol conversions seamlessly, preventing disruptions to existing access control operations while enabling new service functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary protocol adapter acts as a buffer that isolates the legacy access control system from Web 2.0 service modifications. All protocol translations and service integrations occur in this intermediary layer, ensuring that changes to Web 2.0 services do not propagate disruptions to the stable access control operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If business relationships are formed with access control system manufacturers to expose Web 2.0 APIs, then service innovation is enabled, but the process becomes cumbersome and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service integration by providing a generic protocol adaptation layer that can work with multiple access control manufacturers without requiring individual business relationships or custom API developments. The standardized translation capabilities allow service providers to integrate Web 2.0 services independently, reducing implementation effort and eliminating the need for cumbersome manufacturer-by-manufacturer negotiations.
Solution Approach 2:
The protocol adapter is designed with universal translation capabilities that support multiple access control manufacturers and various Web 2.0 services through a single standardized interface. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for manufacturer-specific integration solutions, significantly reducing implementation effort and cost while enabling broad service innovation.
Data Source
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AI summary
An Application-Enablement data switch enables web-enhanced services to be provided to legacy near-field communication (NFC) systems. The data switch receives IP packets from a legacy network and identifies select IP packets that contain NFC data indicating a reader ID of an NFC reader and a tag ID of an NFC tag in communication with the NFC reader. The switch further extracts the NFC data from the select IP packets and inserts the NFC data into a request message that is transmitted to a web application server that provides the web-enhanced services based on the NFC data.