Emulating Multiple NFC Devices via Segmented Entity Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing NFC devices face limitations in emulating multiple NFC devices and efficiently communicating their presence to other devices, particularly in advanced communication scenarios where multiple NFC technologies need to be interoperable.

Innovation Solution

A communication device in listen mode that can emulate multiple NFC devices by receiving a poll command, deciding which responses to send, and sending information related to each emulated device, including NFCID2 identifiers and type indications, using an arrangement that can handle multiple entities and manage responses according to NFC time rules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a communication device emulates multiple NFC devices, then the versatility and interoperability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemulation capabilityVSAvoidcommunication device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication device is divided into multiple independent NFC emulated entities, each capable of generating and managing its own electromagnetic field and responding to poll commands independently. This segmentation allows the single device to emulate multiple NFC devices without requiring complex integration of all emulation functions into one unified system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication device is designed with multi-functionality to perform both its primary communication function and the additional function of emulating multiple NFC devices. The device can operate in its own communication mode while simultaneously providing emulated NFC device responses, making it a universal device that handles multiple roles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple NFC devices are emulated, then the quantity of detectable devices is improved, but the risk of communication collisions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of emulated devicesVSAvoidcommunication accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Before the actual communication begins, the system performs a preliminary anti-collision procedure where poll commands are sent and responses are managed in advance. The communication device pre-manages the response timing and content for multiple emulated devices, ensuring that each device's response is transmitted at the appropriate time without causing collisions with other devices' responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the communication device receives poll commands and generates appropriate responses based on the emulated device identities. The feedback loop ensures that each emulated device's information is correctly transmitted and that collision detection and resolution mechanisms are activated when multiple devices need to respond simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient emulation of multiple NFC devices, allowing other communication devices to discover and interoperate with them transparently, overcoming the limitations of existing technologies by ensuring compliant and collision-free communication.

Implementation Method 1

A first device enters a polling mode where it generates an electromagnetic field in order to poll for other available NFC devices in the vicinity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

These close NFC devices should answer to let the first device know about them. In some cases, the close devices answer by only modulating the carrier electromagnetic field, the modulation data forming a signal which can be demodulated by the first device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9628149B2Emulation of multiple NFC devices inside a communication device
Publication Date: 2017.04.18 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • US9628149B2 patent drawing
  • US9628149B2 patent drawing
  • US9628149B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Communication device (T1) comprising—An antenna (A1) and physical circuitry (PHY) for receiving a poll command (PC) from a second communication device (T2).—A plurality of entities (D1, D2, D3 . . . Dn) emulating NFC devices,—An arrangement for deciding, for each entity of said plurality of entities, if a response should be sent and if so sending a response (LF1, LF2, LF3 . . . LFn) to said second communication device (T2), containing information related to the respective NFC device.