NFC Tag Control for Building Media Playback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building automation systems for controlling digital content, such as media playback, are cumbersome and require complex user interactions, especially when managing multiple devices or scenes.

Innovation Solution

An arrangement featuring a playback device with an NFC interface and wirelessly readable NFC tags, where digital identifiers stored on the tags link content to output devices, allowing for simple operation through NFC tags, enabling visual or acoustic outputs and control commands for actuators and sensors via a data connection or streaming services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional building automation systems are used for controlling digital content, then centralized control of multiple devices is achieved, but user interaction becomes cumbersome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interactionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

NFC tags serve as intermediary objects that simplify user interaction with the building automation system. Instead of directly interacting with complex control interfaces, users simply tap their NFC-enabled device against a tag, which automatically triggers the associated digital content or scene. This mediator absorbs the complexity of system configuration while presenting a simple one-tap interface to users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

All control configurations, scene settings, and content associations are pre-configured in the NFC tags before use. The tags store predetermined control commands and parameter sets that are prepared in advance, eliminating the need for users to perform complex setup procedures at the moment of interaction. Users benefit from pre-packaged control scenarios ready for immediate activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple devices and scenes are integrated in building automation systems, then comprehensive control capability is achieved, but operation becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple control functions, scene configurations, and device commands are merged into single NFC tags. Each tag can encapsulate complex multi-device control scenarios that would otherwise require sequential interaction with multiple systems. By combining these functions into one tangible object, the system maintains high versatility while dramatically simplifying user operation to a single tap action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

NFC tags serve as universal control objects that can trigger various types of digital content and control different combinations of building automation devices. The same NFC tag infrastructure supports diverse applications including lighting scenes, media playback, temperature control, and custom automations, making the system adaptable to multiple use cases through a unified simple interface.

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

3Productivity

If digital content is stored centrally on servers, then content management is streamlined, but access and retrieval require complex network operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent management efficiencyVSAvoidcontent retrieval time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

NFC tags contain pre-stored digital identifiers that are prepared in advance and linked to specific digital content on servers. This preliminary association eliminates the need for complex search, selection, or navigation operations during content retrieval. When a user taps an NFC tag, the system immediately knows which content to retrieve, significantly reducing access time while maintaining centralized storage benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The NFC tag acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between simple user interaction and complex network operations. It stores the necessary identifiers and routing information locally, enabling the system to quickly translate a simple tap action into targeted content retrieval from centralized servers without requiring users to navigate complex network interfaces or wait for extensive search operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Facilitates easy and intuitive control of digital content in building networks, allowing for dynamic adjustment of scenes and content based on identifiers, enabling seamless integration of various media and control commands without requiring extensive programming, and supports large-scale content management and distribution.

Implementation Method 1

with an NFC interface and a plurality of wirelessly readable NFC tags, each containing a memory with a stored digital identifier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNFC (Near Field Communication): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3793140A1Arrangement for controlling digital content in a building network and corresponding method
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 MOODBLOCKS GMBH
  • EP3793140A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3793140A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3793140A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement (1) for playing back media in a building network (7), wherein the arrangement comprises a playback device (8) with an NFC interface (3) and a plurality of wirelessly readable NFC tags (1), each having a memory (4) with a digital identifier stored therein, wherein at least one piece of digital content is linked via the digital identifier, and wherein the playback device (8) is configured to control an output device (18) for generating a visual or acoustic output, to obtain the digital content via a data connection (9), and to play it back. A corresponding method is further described.