NFC Restart Circuit for Constrained IoT Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Constrained IoT devices with only an NFC interface, lacking buttons or keys, face challenges in restarting when they become non-operational due to software malfunctions or design flaws, as they cannot be manually reset and have non-removable batteries.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a restart circuit within the NFC-enabled constrained device that accumulates electrical charge from an NFC-enabled control device and triggers a restart when the charge exceeds a threshold level, allowing for a controlled reset without relying on manual intervention or data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the constrained device only comprises an NFC interface without buttons or keys to reduce size and complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to restart the device when non-operational is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The restart circuit enables the device to restart itself automatically by harvesting power from the NFC interface without requiring external manual intervention. The circuit monitors power accumulation and autonomously triggers a restart when sufficient power is available, making the system self-serviceable even when non-operational.
Solution Approach 2:
The NFC interface is given a dual function: it serves both as a data communication interface and as a power supply for the restart circuit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate restart buttons or keys, reducing device complexity while maintaining restart capability.
2Volume of moving object
If the battery is made non-removable to reduce size and improve integration, then device compactness is improved, but the ability to force a cold reset by removing the battery is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical action of removing the battery to force a reset is replaced by an electrical system. The restart circuit uses electrical power harvested through the NFC interface to trigger an electronic restart of the processing circuit, eliminating the need for physical battery removal while achieving the same reset function.
3Device complexity
If the device lacks manual control interfaces to minimize hardware, then device simplicity is improved, but user control over restart functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC interface is utilized for multiple purposes: data communication and power transmission for restart. By making the interface universal, the device maintains hardware simplicity while still enabling user-initiated restarts through the control device that communicates via NFC.
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 the effective restarting of NFC-enabled constrained devices by harnessing power from an NFC control device, avoiding the need for manual intervention and ensuring reliable operation even when the device is non-responsive.
Implementation Method 1
The NFC-interface circuit is configured to harvest power transmitted by an NFC-enabled control device
Data Source
AI summary
A Near-Field Communication (NFC)-enabled constrained device (100) is provided. The constrained device (100) comprises a processing circuit (111) operative to implement a functionality of the constrained device (100), an NFC-interface circuit (115) configured to harvest power transmitted by an NFC-enabled control device (200) and to enable exchange of data with the control device (200), when the devices are in proximity, and a restart circuit (121) configured to accumulate electrical charge using the harvested power received from the NFC-interface circuit (115), and to trigger restart of the processing circuit (111) when the accumulated electrical charge exceeds a threshold level. Further provided is an NFC-enabled control device (200) for restarting the NFC-enabled constrained device (100). The control device (200) comprises an NFC-interface circuit (215) configured to transmit power to the constrained device (100) and to enable exchange of data with the constrained device (100), when the devices are in proximity, and a processing circuit (211) operative to initiate the transmission of power to the constrained device (100), and to control the exchange of data with the constrained device (100).