NFC Skin-Extension Patch Using Alternating Electric Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Near Field Communication (NFC) technologies are limited by the need for close proximity between devices, making it difficult to extend the range of communication and simplify the interaction process without compromising speed, especially for applications involving user interaction with objects.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a patch attached to an NFC device and a tag on an object, utilizing a coupling coil, capacitor, converter, frequency generator, and electrodes to enable communication through the user's skin, allowing for extended NFC range and bi-directional data transfer via an alternating electric field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If NFC devices are brought into close proximity for communication, then communication reliability is improved, but user convenience and interaction simplicity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the human body as an intermediary medium for NFC communication. Instead of requiring direct proximity between NFC devices, the body acts as a conductor that transmits the NFC signal from one device to another, enabling communication while maintaining reliability through the body's conductive properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions NFC communication from a direct device-to-device spatial relationship to a multi-point interaction involving the human body. This dimensional change allows the signal to propagate through the body's conductive tissue, extending the effective communication range and simplifying user interaction
2Length of stationary object
If NFC communication range is extended using traditional methods, then communication distance is improved, but system complexity and power consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the human body's inherent conductive properties to extend NFC range without requiring additional active components or power sources in the body. The body naturally serves as the transmission medium, eliminating the need for complex extension hardware and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The human body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the NFC signal conductor, the interaction interface, and the power transmission medium. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, thereby reducing system complexity while extending communication range
3Use of energy by moving object
If NFC devices require close proximity for data transfer, then power consumption is reduced, but communication speed and efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the human body as an intermediary with high electrical conductivity, the system maintains efficient signal transmission over extended distances. The body's conductive tissue allows the NFC signal to propagate without significant power loss, achieving both extended range and maintained communication efficiency
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 convenient, efficient, and extended NFC communication, allowing users to interact with objects at a distance, facilitating applications such as smart shopping, health monitoring, and safety features by using the human body as a conductive medium for data transfer.
Implementation Method 1
NFC near field RF (radio frequency) communication requires an antenna coil of one near field RF communicator to be present within an alternating magnetic field (H field) generated by the antenna coil of another near field RF communicator by transmission of an RF signal
Implementation Method 2
The capacitor resonates with the coupling coil at near-field frequency
Implementation Method 3
The first electrode couples capactively with the user's skin
Implementation Method 4
communicating with an object over a user skin due to conductivity of the human skin (dermis)
Implementation Method 5
The converter modulator converts electromagnetic signals from the near field communication of the electronic NFC device into data modulation
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system which extends NFC near field communication over a user's skin by converting electromagnetic signals into modulated alternating electric fields and vice versa. A modified patch is attached to an NFC device, which gets energized from its electromagnetic resonance which may contain data. The patch uses the energy to create an alternating electric field which couples into and spreads over a user's skin. The user may approach or touch objects which then get energized by the alternating electric field. The objects have a tag which modulates the electric field with data back over the user's skin to the patch, which then demodulates the data to modulate the NFC communication of the NFC device for further processing.