NFC Assistive Device for Accessible Public Kiosk Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users with special needs, such as vision loss, motion loss, or hearing loss, face difficulties interacting with public information devices like ATMs and airport kiosks due to the lack of adaptive technologies, leading to longer transaction times.
Innovation Solution
Embedding Near Field Communication (NFC) chips in public client devices to detect and communicate with assistive computing devices, allowing user interaction to be delegated to these devices, which can provide tailored functionality for users with impairments, such as screen reading or voice recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If adaptive technologies are integrated into public information devices to assist users with special needs, then accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an assistive computing device as an intermediary between the user and the public information device. The NFC chip enables automatic detection and connection of this intermediary device, which then handles all adaptive functionality (screen readers, audio output, Braille display control) without modifying the public information device itself. This resolves the contradiction by providing accessibility through an external mediator rather than integrating adaptive technologies into the public device.
2Productivity
If standard interaction protocols are used at public information devices, then device simplicity is maintained, but transaction time increases for users with special needs
Solution Approach 1:
The assistive computing device performs self-service by automatically detecting itself via NFC, establishing connections, and configuring appropriate interaction protocols without requiring manual setup or intervention. The device autonomously manages the accessibility interface, allowing users with special needs to interact efficiently without staff assistance or complex configuration, thereby maintaining high transaction speed while improving ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If adaptive technologies are built into public information devices, then accessibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts all adaptive technology components from the public information device and places them in a separate assistive computing device. The public device only requires a simple, low-cost NFC chip for detection, while the expensive adaptive technologies (screen readers, audio systems, Braille interfaces) are removed and consolidated into the user's personal assistive device. This dramatically reduces manufacturing costs for public information devices while maintaining full accessibility functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for personalizing access to client devices using near field communication is disclosed. In a transaction between a client and a server, the client may detect the presence of a computing device using near field communication, and the device may be identified as an assistive computing device. Based on this information, the client may send the assistive computing device user interface data such that the transaction can be completed on the assistive computing device instead of the client.