Mobile Device Wireless Handover via NFC Bridge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems lack efficient handover mechanisms between different communication formats, such as Bluetooth and NFC, which limits seamless data transfer and device interoperability in multi-format environments.

Innovation Solution

A mobile wireless communication device with a control module that establishes an initial link using one format (e.g., NFC) and determines the device type to establish subsequent links using another format (e.g., Bluetooth) for enhanced communication handovers, enabling efficient communication across various device types and formats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mobile device uses multiple wireless communication formats (Bluetooth, NFC, WLAN), then the device's adaptability and interoperability improve, but the complexity of managing handovers between formats increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice interoperabilityVSAvoidhandover management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an NFC-based intermediary mechanism that acts as a bridge between Bluetooth and WLAN communication formats. The NFC format serves as a simple initial connection medium that triggers the handover to more capable formats (Bluetooth or WLAN), thereby managing the complexity of multi-format interoperability through a staged approach rather than direct management of all format combinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the system establishes direct links between devices using complex formats like Bluetooth or WLAN, then communication efficiency improves, but the initial connection establishment becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidinitial connection establishment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing an initial NFC connection before transitioning to more efficient communication formats. The NFC link is formed first as a simple, easy-to-establish connection that provides device identification and triggers the subsequent establishment of Bluetooth or WLAN links, which are more efficient for actual data transfer but more complex to initiate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the mobile device uses NFC for initial connection, then the ease of operation improves, but the communication speed and data transfer capability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial connection easeVSAvoiddata transfer speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic communication architecture where the system transitions from NFC (easy to connect, slow) to Bluetooth or WLAN (harder to connect, fast) based on the communication needs. The handover mechanism dynamically switches between communication formats, using NFC only for initial connection and device identification, then transitioning to higher-speed formats for actual data transfer, thus optimizing both ease of operation and speed at different stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution facilitates enhanced efficiencies in wireless communication handovers between different formats, ensuring seamless data transfer and improved interoperability among diverse electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

NFC technology is used for contactless short-range communications based on radio frequency identification (RFID) standards, using magnetic field induction to enable communication between electronic devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2432277B1Communications system providing mobile wireless communications device application module associations for respective wireless communications formats and related methods
Publication Date: 2017.09.13 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2432277B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2432277B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2432277B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communications system may include a plurality of electronic devices having respective different device types and each configured to wirelessly communicate via a plurality of different wireless communications formats. The system may also include a mobile wireless communications device including a plurality of application modules associated with respective electronic device types and configured to communicate via a first one of the wireless communications formats. The mobile wireless communications device may further include a control module configured to establish an initial wireless communications link with a given electronic device using a second one of the wireless communications formats, determine a respective device type for the given electronic device based upon the established initial wireless communications link, and cause a respective application module to establish a subsequent wireless communications link with the given electronic device using the second wireless communications format based upon the determined respective device type.