NFC Tag Redundancy Detection via Identifier Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current NFC tag detection algorithms often incorrectly identify duplicate tags due to their reliance on timeouts and RF technology matching, leading to false redundancies when different tags are detected within a short period.

Innovation Solution

A mobile electronic device equipped with an NFC sensor and processor that compares NFC tag identifiers received within a given time period, inferring whether they belong to a single or multiple tags, and provides appropriate notifications or actions based on these determinations, with the ability to store and manage NFC tag identifiers to prevent redundant detections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If timeout combined with RF technology matching is used to filter duplicate detections, then detection efficiency is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to false redundancy identifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection efficiencyVSAvoidredundancy identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter for identifying redundant detections from 'RF technology matching' to 'NFC tag identifier comparison'. By using the unique identifier (UID) of NFC tags instead of technology type matching, the system achieves more precise redundancy detection while maintaining efficient processing through the timeout mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If NFC tag identifiers are compared to distinguish single and multiple tags, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetag differentiation accuracyVSAvoiddetection algorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a simplified approach by copying and comparing the unique identifier (UID) field from NFC tag responses rather than implementing complex analysis of multiple tag properties. This copying and comparison method achieves accurate tag differentiation with minimal algorithmic complexity, processing only the essential identifier data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2843974B1Device and method for determining redundancies in near field communication tag detection
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2843974B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2843974B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2843974B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device and method for determining redundancies in near field communication tag detection are provided. A device comprising: a sensor configured to receive NFC tag identifiers from at least one near field communication (NFC) tag; and, a processor configured to: compare a first NFC tag identifier to a second NFC tag identifier, both the first NFC tag identifier and the second NFC tag identifier having been received by the sensor within a given time period; when the first NFC tag identifier and the second NFC tag identifier are the same, infer that the first NFC tag identifier and the second NFC tag identifier are associated with a single NFC tag ; and when the first NFC tag identifier and the second NFC tag identifier are not the same, infer that the first NFC tag identifier and the second NFC tag identifier are associated with two different NFC tags.