NFC Tag Reader Logic for Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing close proximity wireless communication systems, such as NFC, often result in unnecessary power consumption due to unconditional activation of electronic devices when a smartphone is brought near, leading to activation of functions like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, even if not required for data transfer.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus and method that uses close proximity wireless communication to read information from an electronic device's tag, determining whether to activate higher power functions like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth only when necessary, thereby minimizing unnecessary activations and reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an electronic device unconditionally powers on the main body when triggered by NFC, then the device can respond to any NFC interaction, but power is consumed even when a smartphone is brought near only to read information from the electronic tag

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary reading of the smartphone's tag information through NFC before deciding whether to power on the main body. This preliminary action allows the device to determine in advance if activation is necessary, avoiding unnecessary power consumption while maintaining reliability for required interactions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic device autonomously determines whether to activate based on the information read from the smartphone's tag. The device serves itself by making the activation decision without requiring external control, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption while ensuring appropriate response capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the main body is activated unconditionally, then all functions are available for execution, but unnecessary functions like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth are activated consuming power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction availabilityVSAvoidpower waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of activating all functions unconditionally, the device activates only the specific function needed based on the tag information read from the smartphone. This partial action approach ensures adaptability for the required function while avoiding energy loss from activating unnecessary functions like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth when they are not needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the device reads tag information first before activation, then unnecessary activations are reduced, but the decision process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcontrol logic
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control process is segmented into distinct steps: first reading the tag information through NFC, then making an activation decision based on that information, and finally activating only if necessary. This segmentation simplifies the overall control logic by breaking it into manageable, sequential operations rather than requiring complex simultaneous decisions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 approach effectively reduces the frequency of activating higher power functions in electronic devices, minimizing power consumption and preventing unintended connections by ensuring only necessary functions are activated based on the data received from the tag.

Implementation Method 1

An electronic tag of NFC can operate by only an induced electromotive force from a reader/writer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2824974B1Communication apparatus, control method, computer program, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 CANON KK
  • EP2824974B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2824974B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2824974B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is a communication apparatus (101) which acquires (201) information from another communication apparatus (102) using wireless communication function, determines (204) whether to activate a second function of the other communication apparatus based on the acquired information, and transmits (203) a command for activating the second function to the other communication apparatus via said wireless communication, if it is determined that the second function is to be activated.