Mobile Device Availability Detection via NFC and Wireless Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication devices lack an efficient method to automatically and accurately communicate availability status to the network, often leading to missed responses due to users forgetting to manually update their status, which can result in unnecessary messages being sent.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireless communications system that includes a processor, Near Field Communications (NFC) device, and a wireless-based availability detector, which determines and communicates a user's availability status based on NFC tags and geospatial position, reducing the need for manual updates and improving message efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual availability status update is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of availability status communication deteriorates because users may forget to update their status
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects and communicates availability status without requiring user intervention. The mobile device autonomously monitors its state (in-use or idle) and broadcasts availability status to the network, eliminating the need for manual updates while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic feedback loops where the device continuously monitors its own availability state and communicates updates to the network. This self-monitoring and self-reporting mechanism ensures reliable status communication without adding significant complexity to the device.
2Productivity
If automatic availability detection is implemented, then productivity is improved by reducing unnecessary messages, but device complexity increases due to additional detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device autonomously determines its own availability status based on its operational state (in-use or idle) and communicates this status to the network without requiring external detection systems or complex additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages existing device components and network infrastructure to perform availability detection and communication, rather than requiring dedicated specialized hardware. This multi-functional approach improves productivity without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Loss of information
If manual availability status setting is used, then use of energy is reduced, but loss of time increases because senders wait for responses without knowing recipient availability
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic or event-triggered availability status updates rather than continuous monitoring. The device broadcasts its status at relevant moments (when transitioning between in-use and idle states), providing timely information without requiring constant energy expenditure.
Solution Approach 2:
The availability status communication operates continuously in the background using existing network connections, providing uninterrupted availability information to senders without requiring additional energy-intensive actions from the user or the device.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communications system includes a wireless communications network and a plurality of wireless communications devices. The wireless communications devices are each configured to communicate via the wireless communications network. At least one of the plurality of wireless communications devices has a portable housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing, and a wireless-based, availability detector carried by the portable housing. A processor is carried by the portable housing and is configured to determine a first availability status based upon the NFC device at a first time. The processor is further configured to activate the wireless-based, availability detector based upon the NFC device to thereby determine a second availability status based upon the wireless-based, availability detector at a second time after the first time. The processor is additionally configured to communicate the first and second availability status to the wireless communications network via the wireless transceiver.