NFC Reference Device for Mobile Augmented Reality Data Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication systems face challenges in efficiently providing users with location-specific object information without overburdening cellular networks and reducing power consumption, especially in crowded areas where multiple users seek similar data simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication system incorporating a near field communication (NFC) reference device that stores object reference data and images, allowing a mobile device with an NFC transceiver, image sensor, and controller to recognize and overlay relevant data onto a sensed image, reducing data traffic and power usage by leveraging proximity-based communication and image recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If object information is delivered through cellular networks, then users can access location-specific data, but data traffic on cellular networks increases and power consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation-specific object information deliveryVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces NFC reference devices as intermediary elements deployed at physical locations containing objects of interest. These devices store object information locally and enable proximity-based data exchange, serving as mediators between the cellular network and mobile devices. This intermediary approach allows users to access location-specific information without continuously relying on cellular network data transmission, thereby reducing both data traffic and power consumption while maintaining information availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If object information is delivered through cellular networks, then users can access location-specific data, but data traffic on cellular networks increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation-specific object information deliveryVSAvoiddata traffic
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces NFC reference devices as intermediary elements deployed at physical locations containing objects of interest. These devices store object information locally and enable proximity-based data exchange, serving as mediators between the cellular network and mobile devices. This intermediary approach allows users to access location-specific information without continuously relying on cellular network data transmission, thereby reducing both data traffic and power consumption while maintaining information availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If NFC reference devices are deployed at multiple locations, then location-specific information accuracy improves, but device complexity and deployment cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation-specific information accuracyVSAvoidsystem deployment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a standardized template approach where NFC reference devices are deployed as replicated copies across multiple locations. Each device contains identical core functionality and data structures, storing locally relevant object information in a uniform format. This copying strategy enables consistent user experience across different locations while simplifying deployment, as the same device design and data population process can be replicated systematically without requiring complex customization at each site.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 enables efficient, low-power augmented reality data delivery to mobile devices, reducing data traffic on cellular networks and extending battery life by using NFC for proximity-based data exchange and image recognition, thereby enhancing user experience with location-specific information.

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

PatentEP2490401B1Mobile wireless communications device providing object reference data based upon near field communication (NFC) and related methods
Publication Date: 2017.09.27 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2490401B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2490401B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2490401B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless communications system may include a near field communication (NFC) reference device configured to store object reference data for at least one object associated with a geographic location of the NFC device. The wireless communications system may also include a mobile wireless communications device that includes an NFC transceiver configured to communicate with the NFC device based upon proximity thereto, an image sensor, a display, and a controller. The controller may cooperate with the NFC transceiver, the image sensor, and the display. The controller may be configured to determine a sensed image from the image sensor. The controller may also be configured to select object reference data for the sensed image based upon communication with the NFC reference device, and display the object reference data and the sensed image on the display.