Short-Range Wireless Device Power Control via NFC Link Key Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing short-range wireless communication devices lack efficient power control mechanisms, particularly when transitioning from a power-off state to an operational state, especially in scenarios involving Near Field Communication (NFC) and Bluetooth connections.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an apparatus and method where a short-range wireless communication device uses NFC to request and receive a link key, allowing it to power on and establish a Bluetooth connection with a portable terminal, either by using a pre-stored link key or Out Of Band pairing if the key is not available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the short-range wireless communication device remains in power-off state to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but the device cannot establish wireless connections or receive communication requests
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary pairing and link key exchange through NFC when both devices are powered on. The link key is stored in the short-range wireless communication device's memory, enabling it to skip the power-on and connection establishment process later, directly transitioning to communication mode when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
NFC acts as an intermediary to transfer the link key from the portable terminal to the short-range wireless communication device. This intermediary mechanism enables secure key exchange without requiring the short-range device to remain powered on, resolving the contradiction between power saving and connection readiness.
2Ease of operation
If the device powers on continuously to maintain Bluetooth connection readiness, then connection establishment is immediate, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
All necessary authentication credentials (link keys) are exchanged and stored in advance through NFC pairing. When the device needs to connect, it simply powers on and uses the pre-stored link key to establish Bluetooth connection immediately, eliminating the need for continuous power-on while maintaining connection readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses its own stored link key to authenticate with the portable terminal after powering on. The pre-configured authentication credentials enable the device to self-activate and self-authenticate without requiring continuous power or external authentication assistance.
3Productivity
If the device uses traditional Bluetooth pairing methods, then connection can be established, but the process is complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
NFC serves as an intermediary channel for rapid link key exchange, replacing the complex Bluetooth pairing process. The NFC-based key exchange is simpler, faster, and more secure, as it directly transfers authentication credentials without requiring Bluetooth protocol handshakes or user interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The link key exchange is performed in advance through NFC before Bluetooth communication is needed. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time pairing procedures, allowing the device to skip directly to connection establishment when powered on.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and method for controlling power in a short-range communication device are configured such that when the short-range wireless communication device is connected to a portable terminal by Near Field Communication (NFC), a link key request message requesting a link key is transmitted to the portable terminal, and upon receipt of a link key confirm message from the portable terminal in response to the link key request message, the short-range wireless communication device is powered on.