Dynamic NFC Polling Rate Adjustment for Power Conservation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile wireless communications devices face inefficiencies in power consumption when repeatedly detecting the same NFC tag, leading to unnecessary power draw due to constant polling at default rates.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method where the polling rate is progressively reduced after detecting an NFC tag a certain number of times within a threshold duration, and further reduced when the tag is repeatedly detected, eventually reaching a minimum polling rate, to conserve power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the device polls for NFC tags at a default rate continuously, then the device maintains high responsiveness to NFC tag detections, but the power consumption increases unnecessarily when the same tag is detected repeatedly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponsiveness to NFC tag detectionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The polling rate is made dynamic rather than static. The system automatically adjusts the polling rate between a default rate and a reduced rate based on whether repeated detections of the same NFC tag occur. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high responsiveness when needed while reducing power consumption during stationary periods with repeated tag detections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The polling rate parameter is changed based on detection patterns. When the same NFC tag is detected a threshold number of times within a threshold duration, the system transitions from polling at the default rate to polling at a reduced rate. This parameter change directly addresses the contradiction by adjusting the detection frequency to match actual operational needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the polling rate is reduced to conserve power, then the power consumption decreases, but the device's responsiveness to new NFC tag detections may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddetection speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between reduced polling rate and default polling rate based on real-time detection patterns. When movement is detected or a new NFC tag is detected, the system transitions back to the default polling rate, ensuring detection speed is maintained when actually needed while conserving power during stationary periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from NFC tag detection events to adjust polling behavior. By monitoring whether the same tag is detected repeatedly within a threshold duration, the system receives feedback about device stability and adjusts the polling rate accordingly, maintaining detection responsiveness while optimizing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the device continuously polls at default rate, then all NFC tag detections are captured promptly, but unnecessary power is drawn when the device is stationary near the same NFC tag

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidunnecessary power draw
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The polling rate parameter is adjusted based on detection patterns. When the same NFC tag is detected repeatedly within a threshold duration, indicating the device is stationary, the system changes the polling rate from default to reduced, eliminating unnecessary power draw while maintaining detection accuracy when actually needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different polling rates to different operational contexts. Instead of using a uniform polling rate, it locally adapts the polling behavior based on whether repeated detections occur, applying reduced polling only in the specific context of stationary detection while maintaining default polling elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 adjusting polling rates based on NFC tag detection frequency, allowing the device to maintain responsiveness while minimizing power usage, especially when the device is stationary near an NFC tag.

Implementation Method 1

NFC 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 EffectMagnetic field induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3300397B1Efficient near field communication (NFC) tag detection and related methods
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3300397B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3300397B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3300397B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to efficient near field communication (NFC) tag detection and related methods. In accordance with one example, there is provided a method of communication between a mobile wireless communications device and near field communication (NFC) tags, comprising: polling for NFC devices at a default rate; detecting an NFC tag in response to the polling at the default rate; when the detected NFC tag was previously detected a first threshold number of times within a first threshold duration, polling for NFC devices at a reduced polling rate.