NFC Power Management Circuit for Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile electronic devices with NFC/RFID functionality often lose their authorization and usability when the battery is discharged or removed, preventing users from accessing NFC/RFID-based services like public transportation, as existing solutions like dedicated batteries or completely passive RFID technology do not adequately address this issue.

Innovation Solution

A mobile electronic multifunctional device with a battery control circuit that manages energy usage and allows restricted NFC/RFID functionality even when the battery is low or disconnected, using external RF energy to power NFC components and store configurations for different operation conditions, enabling continued use of NFC/RFID services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the device uses battery-powered NFC/RFID functionality, then the device can provide full NFC/RFID services during normal operation, but the functionality is lost when the battery is discharged or removed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNFC/RFID functionality availabilityVSAvoidbattery energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into multiple sources: the main battery for normal device operation and a secondary energy harvesting system specifically for NFC/RFID functionality. This segmentation allows the NFC/RFID features to operate independently when the main battery is depleted, resolving the contradiction between maintaining functionality and conserving battery energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary energy harvesting mechanism is introduced between the external environment and the NFC/RFID components. This intermediary system captures ambient electromagnetic energy and converts it to power the NFC/RFID functionality, enabling continued operation without depleting the main battery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the device uses completely passive RFID technology, then the device can operate without battery power, but the functionality is lost when no external RF reader is available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidNFC/RFID service accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The NFC/RFID system is designed with multi-functionality to operate in multiple modes: passive mode when external RF readers are available, and active mode with energy harvesting when no external readers are present. This universality ensures the system adapts to different operational environments, resolving the contradiction between low power consumption and service accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes its operational parameters based on the presence or absence of external RF readers. When a reader is detected, the system operates in passive mode with minimal power consumption. When no reader is available, the system switches to active mode with energy harvesting, adjusting its power requirements accordingly to maintain versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the device provides full NFC/RFID functionality during battery low states, then user accessibility is maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser accessibilityVSAvoidpower management system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex power management logic is extracted and isolated into a dedicated control module that specifically manages NFC/RFID power requirements. This separation allows the main device functionality to remain simple while the power management complexity is contained in a specialized subsystem, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables continued use of NFC/RFID services in battery low or disconnected states, enhancing user acceptance and functionality by allowing emergency or restricted use of NFC/RFID features, even when the primary device functionality is impaired.

Implementation Method 1

using external RF energy to power NFC components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy harvesting: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2010988B1System and method for manage and control near field communication for a mobile multifunctional device when the device is uncharged or only partially charged
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2010988B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2010988B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2010988B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention refers to a mobile electronic multifunctional device providing at least an interface for at least one first functionality and an interface to a near field communication (NFC) functionality, said device comprising a component providing an interface to said first functionality, and an interface to an NFC-communication component providing said NFC-communication functionality, a battery interface, a battery control circuit, connected to said battery interface, wherein said battery control circuit is provided to control the operation of said mobile electronic multifunctional device in accordance with a battery charging condition of a battery connected to said battery interface, wherein said battery control circuit provides a number of operating conditions for said mobile electronic multifunctional device in accordance with the charging condition of a battery connected to said battery interface, said charging condition including two or more operating conditions from the selection of normal operation conditions, a software cut-off condition, a hardware cut-off condition, and a battery cut-off condition. Said device comprises a storage to store configurations of an NFC-communication component connected via said interface to a NFC-communication component for at least two of said operation conditions.