NFC-Powered Polymer Sensor Array for Mobile Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensors, particularly those using resistive change polymers, capacitive shift polymers, graphene, or metal-oxide (MOX) detectors, have limited operating life and require frequent calibration, making them unsuitable for direct integration into mobile devices due to shorter lifespan and limited utility, leading to increased costs and obsolescence.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device equipped with a near field communication (NFC) circuit that receives power and transmits data using NFC standard protocols, featuring a detector circuit capable of detecting stimuli with resistive change, capacitive shift, dielectric change, graphene, or MOX sensors, allowing for external placement on mobile devices and reducing the need for internal integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional sensors with limited operating life are directly integrated into mobile devices, then sensor functionality is provided, but device cost increases and obsolescence occurs due to sensor lifespan being shorter than mobile device lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into two independent parts: the sensor module itself and the mobile device. The sensor can be externally attached or integrated, allowing it to be replaced independently when it reaches end-of-life, while the mobile device continues to function. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling sensor utility without forcing entire device obsolescence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the sensor by providing it with its own power source (battery or energy harvesting component) independent of the mobile device's power supply. This allows the sensor to operate autonomously and be replaced without affecting the mobile device's power system, thereby extending the practical utility lifecycle.
2Measurement precision
If sensors requiring frequent calibration are integrated into mobile devices, then sensing capability is maintained, but calibration complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration function is extracted from the sensor module itself and relocated to the mobile device's processing system. The sensor only needs to provide raw data, while the mobile device performs the complex calibration algorithms and data processing, thereby maintaining measurement precision without adding calibration complexity to the sensor hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device acts as an intermediary between the simple sensor and the final processed output. It handles the calibration complexity through software algorithms, allowing the sensor to remain simple while still achieving accurate measurements through the intermediary processing layer.
3Ease of manufacture
If sensors are placed externally on mobile devices, then sensor replacement becomes easier, but data transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC interface provides universal communication capability that handles both power transfer and data transmission through a single standardized protocol. This multi-functionality simplifies the external sensor connection by using the same NFC interface for multiple purposes, thereby reducing data transmission complexity despite external placement.
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 extends sensor life by enabling external placement, reducing calibration frequency, and allowing mobile devices to analyze data, thereby minimizing additional costs and enhancing sensor utility across a broader consumer base.
Implementation Method 1
The NFC power receiver configured to receive power from a mobile device using an NFC standard protocol
Implementation Method 2
a resistive change polymer type detector
Implementation Method 3
a capacitive shift polymer type detector
Implementation Method 4
a dielectric change polymer type detector
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor device includes a first detector circuit, a near field communication (NFC) circuit, and a sensor package. The first detector circuit configured to detect a stimulus using a resistive change polymer type detector, a capacitive shift polymer type detector, a dielectric change polymer type detector, a graphene based sensor, or a metal-oxide (MOX) type detector. The NFC circuit having an NFC powered receiver and an NFC data transceiver. The NFC power receiver configured to receive power from a mobile device using an NFC standard protocol and to provide operating power for the sensor device. The NFC data transceiver configured to transmit data to the mobile device using the NFC standard protocol, the data corresponding to the first stimulus. The sensor package configured to house the first detector circuit and the NFC circuit.