Mobile Terminal Control via NFC for Multi-Appliance Product Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconvenience in managing and controlling complex consumer appliances due to the increasing variety of products and methods of processing, requiring effective generation and management of control information for devices.

Innovation Solution

A system involving a mobile terminal, devices, and a server that collects and provides control information using NFC tags for devices and products, allowing users to select processing methods and transmit control commands for processing products through available device functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of devices for processing products increases, then the functionality and versatility of the system improves, but the complexity of managing and controlling these devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcontrol management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mobile terminal as an intermediary device between users and multiple consumer appliances. The mobile terminal collects device information from various appliances via NFC tags, manages control information centrally, and transmits appropriate control commands to the target devices. This mediator approach allows users to control multiple diverse devices through a single unified interface, resolving the complexity issue while maintaining system versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile terminal is designed as a universal control device that can interact with multiple types of consumer appliances (washing machines, refrigerators, ovens, etc.). By implementing a standardized NFC-based communication protocol and a unified control interface, the system allows a single device to perform multiple control functions across different appliance types, thereby managing complexity while preserving adaptability.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the variety of products and processing methods increases, then the system's capability to handle diverse tasks improves, but the difficulty of manipulating devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct processing capabilityVSAvoiddevice manipulation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic device identification and control information retrieval through NFC technology. When a user places a product near a device, the mobile terminal automatically reads the NFC tag, identifies the product type, and retrieves the appropriate control information without requiring manual configuration. This self-service mechanism simplifies operation while supporting diverse product processing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements pre-stored control information for various products and devices. The mobile terminal maintains a database of control parameters and processing methods that are prepared in advance. When a product is identified via NFC, the corresponding control information is immediately retrieved and applied, eliminating the need for users to manually configure settings for each product-device combination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If control information management becomes more comprehensive, then the system's ability to effectively process products improves, but the complexity of information management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct processing efficiencyVSAvoidinformation management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts control information management from individual device contexts and centralizes it in the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal collects device information from multiple appliances, stores control parameters centrally, and manages the mapping between products, devices, and control settings. This extraction and centralization approach improves product processing efficiency while the unified management interface prevents information management complexity from escalating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Streamlines the control process by enabling users to easily select and execute processing methods for products using compatible devices, enhancing user convenience and efficiency in managing complex appliance operations.

Implementation Method 1

collecting, by the mobile terminal, device information from the device through near field communication

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear field communication (NFC): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2648057B1Using a mobile terminal for providing control information to a consumer electronic appliance regarding a product
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2648057B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2648057B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP2648057B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Controlling a consumer electronic applicant through a mobile terminal to execute functionality appropriate for processing a consumer product is performed by obtaining a device specification of the consumer electronic device and product information on the product to be processed, and generating a command that controls the consumer electronic device to execute the appropriate functionality for processing the product.