NFC Express-Mode Management for Secure Low-Battery Transactions

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices with near field communication (NFC) capabilities face power constraints that compromise or render NFC unusable when battery power drops below certain thresholds, affecting secure data transactions like credit card payments and public transportation ticketing.

Innovation Solution

Implementing power management modes that transition NFC components between full, low power, and off modes based on battery status, disabling unnecessary subsystems to conserve power while ensuring secure NFC transactions can be performed using express mode credentials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If NFC component operates in full power mode to maintain transaction capability, then secure data transactions are reliable, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNFC transaction reliabilityVSAvoidNFC power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The NFC component dynamically transitions between full power mode and low power mode based on operational state. The system activates full power mode only when express mode credentials are available and needed for transactions, otherwise it operates in low power mode or remains off, optimizing the balance between transaction reliability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the NFC component by switching between different power modes (full power, low power, off) based on the availability of express mode credentials and transaction requirements. This parameter change allows the NFC component to adapt its power consumption level to match the actual need for transaction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If NFC component operates in low power mode to conserve battery, then power consumption decreases, but transaction capability is compromised or lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNFC power consumptionVSAvoidNFC transaction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-provisioning express mode credentials that can operate independently with minimal power. These credentials are prepared in advance and stored in the NFC component, enabling it to perform transactions in low power mode without needing to activate the full NFC stack or power management system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts the essential transaction capability from the full NFC component by using dedicated express mode credentials that can function independently. This extracted functionality operates with minimal power requirements, separating the critical transaction capability from the power-intensive full NFC operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Use of energy by moving object

If express mode credentials are used for low power transactions, then power savings are achieved, but device complexity increases due to credential management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall device power consumptionVSAvoidcredential management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The express mode credentials are designed to be multi-functional, serving both as authentication credentials and as power management triggers. A single credential structure enables both transaction authentication and the activation of low power mode, reducing the need for separate complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250278130A1Management of near field communications using a low power express mode of an electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 APPLE INC

AI summary

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for managing near field communications during a low power express mode of an electronic device are provided that may make credentials of a near field communication (“NFC”) component appropriately secure and appropriately accessible while also limiting the power consumption of the NFC component and of other components of the electronic device.