NFC Mimic Device for Proximity-Free Peripheral Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information handling systems and peripherals with embedded NFC devices often require awkward positioning to establish a wireless interface due to their larger sizes, making it difficult to bring them into close proximity for communication.

Innovation Solution

A NFC mimic device acts as an intermediary, receiving and storing NFC communication from a peripheral, allowing it to be moved into proximity with an information handling system's NFC device, enabling communication without the need for physical proximity between the two.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If NFC devices are embedded in information handling systems and peripherals with larger housings, then security and automated interaction are improved, but the ability to bring devices into close proximity for communication deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of bringing devices into proximity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into three components: the information handling system with NFC initiator, the peripheral with NFC target, and a separate NFC mimic device. This segmentation allows the mimic device to be a small, portable entity that can easily be brought into proximity with either the initiator or target, resolving the contradiction between maintaining security through embedded NFC and enabling easy operation despite larger device housings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The NFC mimic device acts as an intermediary between the information handling system and the peripheral. It receives NFC communication from one device and transmits it to the other, enabling communication without requiring the larger information handling system and peripheral to be brought into close proximity. This intermediary approach maintains the security benefits of embedded NFC while solving the operational difficulty

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enhances the convenience of using NFC devices by allowing tap-to-connect usability for establishing a Wi-Fi interface, even when the information handling system and peripheral are difficult to position closely, thereby improving user experience and security through secure network setup.

Implementation Method 1

near field communication (NFC) device in the information handling system and peripheral to exchange interface information

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear field communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

NFC devices allow two-way communication between endpoints, although unpowered NFC 'tags' can also be read by powered NFC devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear field communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9021164B2Near field communication mimic device and method of use

Publication Date: 2015.04.28 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A NFC mimic device retrieves peripheral information from a peripheral, stores the peripheral information and then mimics the peripheral information to an information handling system so that a NFC device of the information handling system receives the peripheral information as if provided directly from the peripheral. The NFC mimic device supports automated setup a wireless interface between an information handling system and a peripheral, such as a projector.