NFC Tag Segmentation for Wireless LAN State Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing near field wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently switching the wireless LAN activation state without unintentionally rewriting other data on an RFID tag, due to constraints in the NDEF format and the need to know the data structure within the RFID, leading to potential loss of user-specific information.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus and method that utilizes a terminal device with both NFC and wireless LAN capabilities, allowing for NFC touch operations to select and write specific data to an NFC memory, then change the communication mode of a printing apparatus, ensuring that the intended processing mode is maintained and user data is preserved by writing back original data after the operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a state flag of an RFID tag is rewritten by using near field wireless communication to switch the activate/inactivate state of wireless LAN, then power consumption is reduced, but all information within the RFID tag is unintentionally rewritten due to format constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiduser information in RFID tag
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the RFID tag data structure into multiple independent regions: a first region storing user information and a second region storing control information. This segmentation allows the control apparatus to modify only the second region (control information) while preserving the first region (user information), thereby avoiding unintentional data loss while enabling wireless LAN state switching through near field communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If all regions of RFID tag are rewritten during data writing operation due to NDEF format constraints, then state flag can be changed, but user-specific information is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate switching capabilityVSAvoiduser information in RFID tag
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the RFID tag into distinct segments: a first region for user information and a second region for control information. This structure enables selective writing operations where only the second region is modified during state switching, preserving user information in the first region while maintaining ease of operation for state changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional properties to different regions of the RFID tag. The first region is designated for read-only user information storage, while the second region is designated for writable control information. This localized functional differentiation allows precise control over which data is modified during operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If the apparatus needs to know the data structure within RFID to rewrite state flag, then precise control is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata writing precisionVSAvoiddata structure knowledge requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by creating clearly defined regions with specific functions: the first region for user information and the second region for control information. This structured approach provides precise control over data writing operations without requiring complex data structure knowledge, as the region boundaries and purposes are explicitly defined and easily identifiable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 easy switching of communication modes between devices without requiring knowledge of the RFID data structure, ensuring that user-intended processes are executed and critical information is retained, enhancing usability and reducing power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a terminal device (200) having a near field wireless communication unit (201)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2945402B1Communication apparatus, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 CANON KK
  • EP2945402B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2945402B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2945402B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A communication apparatus (200) including a near field wireless communication unit (201) which holds communication information regarding a communication sets a communication mode to be used for a wireless communication unit supporting a longer field wireless communication than a wireless communication using a near field wireless communication unit (201) in accordance with write information written from an external apparatus to the near field wireless communication unit (201).