Hall Effect Sensor Activated NFC Circuit for Proximity Triggering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices with NFC and Bluetooth circuits require these circuits to be constantly on, leading to power drainage and potential unwanted connections.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a Hall Effect sensor and magnet system that activates NFC circuits only when devices are in close proximity, allowing for a 'kiss' gesture to initiate communication, thereby reducing power consumption and preventing accidental connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If NFC and Bluetooth circuits are kept constantly on to enable immediate communication, then communication readiness is improved, but power consumption increases and unwanted connections may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication readinessVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection using the Hall Effect sensor to sense the magnet before activating the NFC circuit. This preliminary action ensures that the NFC circuit is only activated when a device is in close proximity, avoiding unnecessary power consumption while maintaining communication readiness when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of keeping the NFC circuit constantly on, the system uses periodic activation triggered by magnet detection. The Hall Effect sensor continuously monitors for the magnet's presence, and the NFC circuit is activated only during periods when communication is actually needed, creating a periodic on-demand operation pattern

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Speed

If NFC circuits are activated constantly to ensure communication capability, then data exchange speed is improved, but power drainage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata exchange speedVSAvoidpower drainage
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The Hall Effect sensor performs preliminary detection of the magnet to determine if another device is in close proximity. Only after this preliminary detection confirms the presence of a device does the system activate the NFC circuit, ensuring that high-speed data exchange occurs only when necessary and power is not wasted on constant activation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the magnet attached to the other device to automatically trigger NFC activation. The presence of the magnet itself serves as the trigger mechanism, eliminating the need for manual user input or constant system monitoring, and the NFC circuit serves itself by activating only when the magnetic field condition is met

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If NFC circuits are kept active to enable immediate data transfer, then communication efficiency is improved, but unwanted connections may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidconnection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The Hall Effect sensor acts as an intermediary between the magnet detection and NFC circuit activation. It provides a controlled interface that ensures NFC is only activated when the magnetic field conditions are properly met, preventing accidental or unwanted connections while maintaining efficient communication when the magnet is properly positioned

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary verification through magnet detection before activating NFC. This preliminary action ensures that only intentional, proximity-based interactions trigger communication, filtering out unwanted connections while maintaining efficiency for legitimate communication scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach enables efficient and secure data exchange between devices while minimizing power usage and avoiding unwanted connections by activating NFC and Bluetooth connections only when necessary.

Implementation Method 1

A magnetic sensor, such as a Hall Effect sensor, is supported by the housing and connected to the processor for sensing a magnetic field and generating a signal to the processor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall Effect: Hall Effect

Implementation Method 2

communications devices that use an electromagnet and activated communications circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnet: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP2302885B1Communications device using electromagnet and activated communications circuit
Publication Date: 2012.07.11 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2302885B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2302885B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2302885B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A communications device includes a processor and Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry that includes a communications module. An electromagnet is connected to the communications module and the processor. The electromagnet is configured to couple magnet-cally to a second communications device having a magnetic sensor and to transmit from the electromagnet to the magnetic sensor electromagnet pulses containing data regarding a wireless communications protocol. The processor and communications module are configured to establish a wireless communications connection with the second communications device.