NFC Communication Control for Simultaneous Authentication and Printing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing NFC communication systems struggle to perform both first and second near field communication modes simultaneously with a terminal device, leading to inefficiencies in user authentication and printing processes.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that alternately transmits first and second near field communication signals to establish connections for identification information exchange, enabling simultaneous execution of both communication modes and prioritizing authentication and printing processes based on successful authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If both first and second near field communication are performed by passing a terminal device once, then communication efficiency is improved, but communication protocols become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication protocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments NFC communication into two distinct modes: first NFC communication (Card Emulation mode) for user identification and second NFC communication (P2P mode) for device identification and printing. This segmentation allows each communication type to use its own optimized protocol while achieving both functions in a single terminal device pass, thereby improving communication efficiency without requiring a single complex unified protocol.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action by sequentially executing first NFC communication followed by second NFC communication as the terminal device passes over the NFC reader. This periodic/sequential execution allows the system to perform multiple communication tasks in a structured sequence during a single pass, enhancing productivity while maintaining protocol clarity through temporal separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If user identification is acquired via first near field communication and device identification is transmitted via second near field communication, then authentication accuracy is improved, but communication time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication accuracyVSAvoidcommunication time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first acquiring user identification through Card Emulation mode before proceeding to P2P mode communication. This preliminary authentication step ensures accurate user verification is completed first, establishing a foundation for subsequent printing operations. The sequential arrangement optimizes time by preparing authentication data in advance during the terminal device pass.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3220552B1Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • EP3220552B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3220552B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a first near field communication unit that transmits a first wireless signal for performing first near field communication; a second near field communication unit that transmits a second wireless signal for performing second near field communication; and a communication control unit that controls the first and second near field communication units such that the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal are alternately transmitted, identification information of a user is acquired from a terminal device via the first near field communication when connection via the first near field communication is established in response to transmitting the first wireless signal, and identification information of the information processing apparatus is transmitted to the terminal device via the second near field communication when connection via the second near field communication is established in response to transmitting the second wireless signal.