Portable Terminal NFC Application Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for starting applications on portable terminals, such as smartphones, require users to manually change communication connections and switch between applications, leading to increased storage capacity needs and user complexity due to limited information that can be written in NFC tags.
Innovation Solution
An information-processing system that includes a specifying unit to identify the first and second applications to be started, with a recording unit to store this information, allowing the portable terminal to automatically change communication connections based on the acquired data, enabling seamless transitions between applications and communication types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If NFC tag stores only limited information, then NFC tag storage capacity is maintained, but user complexity increases due to manual application switching
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the information storage function by using the NFC tag only for storing application identification information (URL), while the actual application execution and communication connection management are handled separately by the portable terminal's OS and communication control unit. This segmentation allows the NFC tag to maintain its limited storage capacity while the system as a whole achieves automated multi-application functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable terminal's operating system automatically detects the NFC tag information and autonomously determines which application to start and which communication connection to establish. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual user intervention in switching applications and managing communication connections, thereby reducing operational complexity despite the NFC tag's limited storage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple applications are started manually, then application functionality is achieved, but storage capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The portable terminal is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple applications through a single NFC interaction. The terminal's operating system can interpret NFC tag information and automatically launch different applications based on the stored URL, eliminating the need for separate NFC readers or dedicated hardware for each application. This multi-functionality achieves diverse application access without proportionally increasing storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the NFC tag with application identification information (URL) before the user needs the application. When the user brings the portable terminal near the NFC tag, the information is already prepared and can be automatically read and processed, eliminating the need for the terminal to store multiple application packages locally. The actual application data remains on remote servers, accessed only when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If communication connection changes are made manually, then communication adaptability is achieved, but user operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the communication control unit continuously monitor the current communication connection state and automatically switch connections based on the application being launched. When the OS determines that a different communication type (e.g., switching from NFC to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) is needed for the selected application, the system automatically establishes the appropriate connection without requiring user input, thereby reducing operation time while maintaining communication adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication control unit provides self-service by autonomously managing communication connection changes based on application requirements. The system automatically detects when a communication switch is needed and executes the switch without user intervention, eliminating the time users would otherwise spend manually changing communication settings while maintaining full communication adaptability across different applications.
Data Source
AI summary
An MFP specifies an MFP application to be started in a portable terminal and another application to be started after start of the MFP application. An NFC tag records information that allows the specified MFP application and the specified another application to be identified in the portable terminal. The portable terminal acquires the application information recorded in the NFC tag by the proximity wireless communication. The portable terminal controls a communication-connection changeover according to an application to be started based on the acquired information. At this moment, if a type of communication to be used by the MFP application and a type of communication to be used by the another application are different, the portable terminal starts the another application after making a changeover to communication connection corresponding to this another application.