NFC Application Discovery Manager for Automatic App Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of mobile devices with near field communication technology face cumbersome navigation when selecting the appropriate application for interacting with various near field communication devices, due to the multitude of applications and differing technologies used by these devices.
Innovation Solution
An application discovery manager is implemented within the mobile device to automatically select and launch the appropriate near field communication application based on identification parameters received from external devices, utilizing a registry table to determine the correct execution environment and configure data routing, thereby eliminating the need for manual selection through menus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple near field communication applications are provided to support various virtual cards and reader applications, then the adaptability and functionality of the device is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of application selection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic application selection through self-service mechanisms. The application discovery manager automatically detects the external near field communication device type and selects the appropriate application without requiring user intervention. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining multiple applications (improving adaptability) while eliminating the complexity of manual selection through automated device identification and application matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The application discovery manager acts as an intermediary between the external near field communication device and the multiple applications in the device. It receives device type information, matches it with the appropriate application using identification parameters and registry tables, and routes the communication accordingly. This intermediary function maintains versatility while simplifying the interaction model for users.
2Reliability
If manual application selection is required for each near field communication device, then application accuracy can be ensured, but the time consumption and user effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring identification parameters, registry tables, and device type profiles before actual near field communication occurs. The application discovery manager is pre-loaded with knowledge of different device types and their corresponding applications. When a device is approached, the system quickly matches the detected device type against pre-stored profiles and automatically selects the appropriate application, ensuring both accuracy and speed without requiring manual user selection.
3Ease of operation
If users are required to navigate through application icons and menus to select the proper application, then precise application control is achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The application discovery manager implements self-service by automatically performing device identification and application selection without requiring user navigation through menus or icons. The system autonomously detects the external device type, queries the registry table using identification parameters, and launches the appropriate application. This eliminates the need for user navigation steps while maintaining precise application control through automated matching logic.
4Adaptability or versatility
If different technologies are used by various near field communication terminals, then the versatility of the system is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the correct application increases
Solution Approach 1:
The application discovery manager serves as an intermediary that handles the complexity of detecting and measuring different near field communication technologies. It receives device type information from the near field communication circuit, uses identification parameters to query the registry table, and matches the detected technology with the appropriate application. This intermediary layer shields users from the complexity of multiple technologies while maintaining broad compatibility through systematic device identification and application matching.
Data Source
AI summary
In a portable electronic device (100) having a plurality of near field communication applications stored within a plurality of execution environments, an application discovery manager (311) is configured to automatically select and launch one or more of the near field communication applications. A near field communication circuit (300) receives a near field communication request from an external near field communication device (700). The application discovery manager (311) identifies a near field communication technology, a protocol, and an application identifier and then references a registry table (313) to determine identification parameters corresponding with the identified information. The application discovery manager (311) then selects a near field communication application and launches it. The application discovery manager (311) further configures a routing switch (316) to direct data between the near field communication circuit controller (301) and the appropriate execution environment.