NFC Mobile Device Holster Detection via Camera Image Matching

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for automatically detecting when a mobile device is holstered require additional hardware, increasing complexity and cost, and do not efficiently manage device operations such as power mode changes.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device uses Near Field Communication (NFC) to detect a visual characteristic on a holster through a camera, executing device control commands based on matched image data, allowing for holster recognition and operation mode adjustments without additional hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If additional hardware (magnet and magnetic sensor) is added to detect holstering, then automatic detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/magnetic detection system (magnet and magnetic sensor) with an optical detection system using a camera to capture visual characteristics of the holster surface, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining automatic detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual characteristic patterns (optical copies) of the holster surface instead of physical magnetic markers, allowing the device to recognize the holster through image pattern matching rather than requiring additional magnetic components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Extent of automation

If additional hardware (magnet and magnetic sensor) is added to detect holstering, then automatic detection capability is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/magnetic detection system (magnet and magnetic sensor) with an optical detection system using a camera to capture visual characteristics of the holster surface, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining automatic detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual characteristic patterns (optical copies) of the holster surface instead of physical magnetic markers, allowing the device to recognize the holster through image pattern matching rather than requiring additional magnetic components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If NFC communication is used to detect holstering, then hardware complexity is reduced, but the ability to differentiate between different holsters is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware complexityVSAvoidholster differentiation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different visual characteristic patterns to different holsters, allowing the device to differentiate between individual holsters based on their unique optical signatures while using the same camera-based hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from generic NFC communication to specific visual characteristic pattern recognition, enabling the system to distinguish between different holsters based on their unique surface patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2824894B1Methods And Systems For Controlling NFC-Capable Mobile Communications Devices

Publication Date: 2016.09.14 BLACKBERRY LTD

Figure 1
Figure 1a
Figure 2

AI summary

NFC-capable systems and devices, and related methods, for controlling operation of an NFC-capable mobile device are disclosed. Through NFC communication, the NFC-capable mobile device detects a load associated with a surface proximate the NFC-capable mobile device. Based at least partly on a determined sustained intensity of the load, the NFC-capable mobile device triggers operation of a camera of the NFC-capable mobile device to capture an image of the surface proximate the NFC-capable mobile device. Based at least partly on a determined correspondence of the captured image with stored image data, the NFC-capable mobile device executes a device control command, such as to control some aspect of the NFC-capable mobile device based on the detected surface, which may be part of a holster for holstering the NFC-capable mobile device.