NFC Chip Embedded in Print Products for Seamless Digital Linking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for linking users to digital content from physical printed products, such as photos or photobooks, are disruptive or inefficient, particularly in directing customers to product builders on websites or mobile applications.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a Near Field Communication (NFC) chip into paper-based print products allows users to scan the product with a mobile device, automatically directing them to a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or digital content using a programmed NFC chip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a QR code is used to link users to digital content, then users can access additional digital content, but the QR code is disruptive to the photo and creates a poor user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the linking function from the visual domain (QR codes on photos) and moves it to the tactile/domain of physical objects. By embedding NFC chips directly into photo products, the system separates the digital linking mechanism from the visual presentation of the photo, eliminating the need for disruptive QR codes while preserving access to digital content.
Solution Approach 2:
The NFC chip acts as an intermediary between the physical photo product and digital content. Instead of using visual QR codes that disrupt the photo's appearance, the NFC chip provides a contactless communication interface that mediates the connection between the physical object and digital destination, enabling seamless navigation without visual disruption.
2Loss of information
If image recognition software is used to direct customers to digital content, then users can access additional information, but the system becomes complex and requires additional software infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC chip contains embedded destination information that enables self-service navigation. When a user taps their device against the photo product with an NFC chip, the digital destination is automatically transmitted without requiring image recognition, software processing, or complex infrastructure. The system serves itself by having the NFC chip directly provide the destination URL.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual system of QR codes and image recognition software with a electromagnetic field-based NFC communication system. This substitution eliminates the need for complex image processing software and infrastructure, replacing it with a simpler radio frequency communication mechanism that directly transmits destination information.
3Loss of information
If physical product displays are used in retail environments, then customers can view products, but customers lack automatic guidance to navigate to product builders or ordering pages
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC chips in physical product displays are pre-programmed with specific destination URLs for product builders or ordering pages. This preliminary action of embedding the correct destination information allows customers to immediately access the relevant digital content without needing to search or navigate through multiple pages, thereby reducing navigation time while maintaining product information access.
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 provides a seamless and non-disruptive way to direct customers to related websites or product builders, enhancing user experience and improving navigation to digital content from physical products.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a Near Field Communication (NFC) chip into paper-based print products allows users to scan the product with a mobile device
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for directing a potential customer to a URL, the system including a paper-based print product associated with an unprogrammed or reprogrammable Near Field Communication (NFC) chip, and an application with an ability to program the NFC chip with a URL is provided. The method includes providing to a user a paper-based print product associated with an unprogrammed or reprogrammable an NFC chip, programming the NFC chip with a URL, resulting in a programmed paper-based print product, accessing by the potential customer the programmed paper-based print product to receive or obtain the URL, communicating by the potential customer via NFC with the programmed paper-based print product, and automatically directing the potential customer to the URL based on the communicating.