NFC Silent Mode for Two-Way Communication Without Peer-to-Peer

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing NFC technologies face limitations in enabling two-way communication between devices due to the disabling or unavailability of peer-to-peer mode, which restricts data exchange and control between NFC-enabled devices.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced that allows two-way communication between NFC-enabled devices by using a silent mode to temporarily hide the presence of one device from another, enabling message transmission and response processing without requiring peer-to-peer mode, utilizing a write command and response mechanism through NFC chip operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If peer-to-peer mode is disabled or unavailable in NFC enabled devices, then device compatibility and ease of operation are improved for some manufacturers, but two-way communication capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidtwo-way communication capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the silent mode as an intermediary mechanism to enable two-way communication. The second NFC enabled device activates silent mode to hide its presence, allowing the first device to write data without immediate detection, then deactivates silent mode to signal completion and enable the first device to read the response. This intermediary state resolves the contradiction by providing two-way communication capability without requiring peer-to-peer mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the second NFC enabled device remains continuously detectable, then real-time communication is enabled, but data processing interference and communication errors occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by having the second NFC enabled device alternately activate and deactivate silent mode. The device activates silent mode during data processing to hide from the first device, then deactivates it to signal completion. This periodic switching between detectable and undetectable states ensures both efficient data processing and reliable communication by preventing interference during critical operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the first NFC enabled device continuously monitors for device presence, then communication readiness is maintained, but energy consumption and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication readinessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback mechanism where the second NFC enabled device deactivates silent mode to signal to the first device that data processing is complete and the response is ready to be read. This feedback signal allows the first device to stop continuous monitoring and only check for presence when signaled, reducing energy consumption and processing overhead while maintaining communication readiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4072032A1Method of conducting two-way communication between smartphone and hygiene apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 OP HYGIENE IP GMBH
  • EP4072032A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4072032A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4072032A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of conducting two-way communication between a first NFC enabled device and a second NFC enabled device. The method includes transmitting a write command from the first NFC enabled device to the second NFC enabled device. A silent mode of the second NFC enabled device, in which the presence of the second NFC enabled device is hidden from the first NFC enabled device, is then activated. While the silent mode is activated, the second NFC enabled device processes the write command and writes a response in a memory of the second NFC enabled device. The silent mode is then deactivated, which triggers the first NFC enabled device to read the response in the memory of the second NFC enabled device.