NFC Application Element Management via OTA Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current NFC services in mobile devices face challenges due to standalone application elements operating in isolation, making it difficult for users to manage and update services, and legacy applications are not designed for wireless Over-The-Air provisioning, requiring costly modifications and new certification processes.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication device with a NFC unit that stores multiple NFC application elements and a user interface to manage these elements, allowing for dynamic selection and update of services, along with Over-The-Air provisioning capabilities to modify and personalize NFC application elements, enabling interoperability and efficient service management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple standalone NFC application elements are stored in the secure element, then NFC service variety is improved, but user management difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNFC service varietyVSAvoiduser management difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments NFC application elements into two categories: standalone application elements and composite application elements. Composite elements group multiple standalone elements under a unified interface, allowing users to manage multiple services through a single interaction point rather than individually managing each standalone element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a user interface as an intermediary layer between the user and the NFC application elements. This interface provides a unified view and control mechanism for managing multiple NFC services, abstracting away the complexity of individual standalone elements and enabling easier service selection and configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If legacy NFC applications are used, then application compatibility is improved, but update capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication compatibilityVSAvoidupdate capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic update capability for NFC application elements through Over-The-Air (OTA) provisioning. This allows legacy applications to receive updates and modifications remotely, transforming them from static to dynamic entities that can adapt to new requirements without requiring physical replacement or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical update process (requiring physical access, manual installation, or certification processes) with wireless OTA provisioning. This substitution enables remote updates of NFC application elements, eliminating the need for costly modifications and new certification processes while maintaining application compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If NFC application elements operate in isolation, then element independence is improved, but service management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelement independenceVSAvoidservice management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple standalone NFC application elements into composite application elements that maintain the independence of individual elements while providing unified management. This combining approach allows multiple independent elements to be controlled through a single interface, reducing management complexity without sacrificing element independence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal user interface that can manage all types of NFC application elements (both standalone and composite) through a single unified mechanism. This universal interface provides multi-functional capabilities for service selection, configuration, and updates, eliminating the need for separate management procedures for each element type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2211481B1Wireless communication device for providing at least one near field communication service
Publication Date: 2014.09.10 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC
  • EP2211481B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2211481B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2211481B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless communication device (102), for providing at least one Near Field Communication service to a user, comprises a Near Field Communication unit (218) for storing at least one application element (302-312) for use in providing at least one Near Field Communication service, and a user interface element (224) for managing the at least one application element (302-312) stored in the Near Field Communication unit to provide the at least one Near Field Communication service and for providing information relating to the at least one Near Field Communication service to the user. The wireless communication device (102) further comprises a receiving element (226) for receiving update information for a Near Field Communication service and for transferring the received update information to the Near Field Communication unit (218) to update the Near Field Communication unit (218) and a user interface update element (228) for updating the information provided to the user by the user interface element according to the received update information transferred to the Near Field Communication unit.