NFC Tag Magnet Activation for Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices equipped with NFC and Bluetooth circuits face power drainage due to constant activation, leading to unwanted connections and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a Hall Effect sensor and magnet system that activates NFC circuits only upon physical contact or close proximity, allowing for deliberate 'kiss' gestures to establish connections, thereby reducing power usage and preventing accidental connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If NFC and Bluetooth circuits are constantly activated to enable communication, then connectivity and data exchange capability are improved, but power consumption increases and unwanted connections occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic activation of NFC and Bluetooth circuits through magnetic field triggering. The circuits remain inactive most of the time and are activated only periodically when a magnet approaches, initiating communication only when needed. This periodic action pattern resolves the contradiction by maintaining connectivity capability while dramatically reducing power consumption during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the magnet's presence as an automatic trigger that activates the NFC and Bluetooth circuits without user intervention. The magnetic field detection mechanism enables self-service operation where the communication circuits activate themselves based on environmental conditions (magnet proximity), eliminating the need for continuous manual control while maintaining readiness for communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Speed

If NFC circuits are constantly activated, then data exchange speed is improved, but accidental connections and power drainage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata exchange speedVSAvoidconnection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary trigger mechanism between the user and the NFC/Bluetooth circuits. The magnet serves as a deliberate activation signal that mediates between user intent and circuit activation. This intermediary approach ensures that circuits are activated only when the user intentionally brings the magnet close, preventing accidental connections while maintaining fast data exchange when deliberately initiated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If magnetic field sensing is continuously monitored, then connection response time is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection response timeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the magnet physically present and ready to trigger activation. The magnetic field sensing is not continuously monitored but is prepared in advance through the physical presence of the magnet. When the magnet approaches, the pre-positioned magnetic sensor immediately detects it and triggers circuit activation, achieving fast response without continuous power-intensive monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary 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 approach reduces power consumption by ensuring NFC and Bluetooth circuits are only active when needed, minimizing unwanted connections and enhancing the efficiency of data exchange through controlled, deliberate interactions.

Implementation Method 1

A Near Field Communications (NFC) circuit contained in each of the first and second communications devices and at least one is activated in response to sensing the magnet on the respective other communications device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHall Effect: Hall Effect

Implementation Method 2

Near Field Communications technology is commonly used for contactless short-range communications based on radio frequency identification (RFID) standards, using magnetic field induction to enable communication between electronic devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear Field Communication electromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9769300B2System and associated NFC tag using plurality of NFC tags associated with location or devices to communicate with communications device

Publication Date: 2017.09.19 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

A Near Field Communications (NFC) tag includes a housing and a magnet carried by the housing and configured to be magnetically sensed by a magnetic sensor carried by a communications device to activate an NFC circuit within the communications device to communicate using an NFC communications protocol. A data store stores data regarding a function of the communications device to be magnetically coupled by the magnet. The data store is configured to be read by the communications device using an NFC communications protocol after the NFC circuit had been activated.