NFC Dynamic Parameter Negotiation for Energy Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional NFC devices continue to provide unmodulated data communication after information transfer, leading to unnecessary battery depletion, temperature rise, security compromise, and interference, due to fixed communication parameters that cannot be adjusted for advanced processing needs.

Innovation Solution

A method for dynamically negotiating communication parameters between NFC devices, including modulated and unmodulated data communication durations and power levels, allowing for optimal power and duration adjustments based on the requirements of the target device for efficient information exchange and advanced processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional NFC devices continue to provide unmodulated data communication after information transfer, then the target device can reliably receive and process information, but unnecessary energy is consumed, temperature rises, security is compromised, and interference is created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation transfer reliabilityVSAvoidbattery depletion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the target device sends a signal back to the source device to indicate whether information transfer is complete. The source device monitors this feedback and terminates unmodulated data communication accordingly, eliminating unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring reliable transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the communication duration dynamic by allowing the source device to adjust the length of unmodulated data communication based on real-time conditions and feedback from the target device, rather than using a fixed predetermined duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If conventional NFC devices use fixed communication parameters, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot adapt to advanced processing needs requiring different power and duration settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication protocol simplicityVSAvoidprocessing capability adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic parameter adjustment where communication duration and power levels are negotiated between devices based on their specific processing needs, enabling adaptability while maintaining implementation simplicity through standardized negotiation protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs parameter negotiation before actual information transfer, allowing devices to agree on appropriate communication parameters in advance based on their capabilities and requirements, thus enabling adaptability without complicating the core transfer mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the source device provides unmodulated data communication for extended duration, then the target device has sufficient time to harvest power and process information, but unnecessary interference is created for other proximate communication devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower harvesting sufficiencyVSAvoidcommunication interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The target device provides feedback to the source device indicating when sufficient power has been harvested and information processing is complete, allowing the source device to terminate unmodulated communication timely and avoid creating unnecessary interference for other devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements just-enough communication duration where the source device provides unmodulated communication for the minimum necessary time to ensure successful power harvesting and information transfer, avoiding excessive duration that would cause interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 dynamic negotiation optimizes communication parameters, ensuring sufficient power and duration for efficient data transfer and processing, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and interference, while enabling more advanced processing capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

This magnetic field inductively couples onto a second conventional NFC device that is proximate to the first conventional NFC device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2541794B1Negotiating communication parameters between near field communications (NFC) capable devices
Publication Date: 2017.11.22 NXP USA INC
  • EP2541794B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2541794B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2541794B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus and method is disclosed to negotiate communications parameters between near field communications (NFC) capable devices (102, 104). In some embodiments, the NFC capable devices operate in a negotiation phase to negotiate one or more communications parameters prior to transferring information. In other embodiments, the NFC capable devices simultaneously negotiate the one or more communications parameters with the transferring of the information.