Removable Conductive Layer Shields NFC Circuit Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The proliferation of near field communication (NFC) circuits in mobile devices leads to time overlapping collisions, causing interference and preventing effective communication between NFC circuits in mobile phones and other devices.
Innovation Solution
An NFC circuit with an electrically conductive layer that can be removed to prevent transmission, including a conductive sticker or metal mesh wiring that short-circuits the antenna or charging circuit, preventing operational powering and interference from nearby NFC signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If NFC circuits are proliferated in mobile devices to enable diverse communication functions, then the versatility and functionality of the devices are improved, but time overlapping collisions and interference between nearby NFC circuits occur, worsening communication reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive layer is applied to the NFC circuit before communication occurs, creating a preliminary shielding effect that prevents unwanted interactions with nearby NFC circuits. This proactive measure blocks potential interference sources before they can cause time overlapping collisions, thereby maintaining communication reliability while preserving NFC functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive layer acts as an intermediary element between the NFC circuit and external electromagnetic environments. It mediates the interaction by selectively blocking certain signals while allowing intended communications to proceed, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining versatile NFC functionality and ensuring reliable communication by preventing interference.
2Reliability
If a conductive layer is applied to shield the NFC circuit from nearby signals, then interference from other NFC circuits is prevented, but the NFC circuit cannot transmit data when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static shielding state to a dynamic controlled state. The NFC circuit includes functionality to selectively remove or adjust the conductive layer based on communication needs, allowing the system to adapt between shielded and unshielded states. This dynamic adjustment enables reliable communication when needed while maintaining protection during non-communication periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The NFC circuit is designed to automatically manage the conductive layer based on its operational state. When communication is detected or initiated, the system self-adjusts by removing the shielding effect, and when communication ceases, the shielding is restored. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention, combining reliable interference prevention with automatic transmission capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the conductive layer is permanently applied to prevent transmission, then shielding from nearby signals is effective, but the NFC circuit loses the ability to communicate with targeted devices
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive layer's shielding effect is made dynamic rather than permanent. The system can adjust the presence or conductivity of the layer based on communication requirements, transitioning between fully shielded and fully operational states. This enables the NFC circuit to maintain strong shielding effectiveness when needed while preserving full communication capability with targeted devices when the shielding is adjusted or removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding effect is applied locally and selectively rather than uniformly across all communication scenarios. The conductive layer can be positioned or activated only in specific regions or conditions where interference is detected, allowing the NFC circuit to maintain communication capability with targeted devices while providing localized protection against harmful signals from nearby circuits.
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
Effectively shields the NFC circuit from nearby signals, preventing interference and ensuring reliable communication with targeted NFC devices by inhibiting transmission when not intended.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna configured to inductively couple to signals emitted by another NFC circuit
Implementation Method 2
a charging circuit configured to output power provided by the inductive coupling through the antenna to the signals emitted by the other NFC circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an NFC circuit and an electrically conductive layer. The NFC circuit includes an antenna configured to inductively couple to signals emitted by another NFC circuit, a charging circuit configured to output power provided by the inductive coupling through the antenna to the signals emitted by the other NFC circuit, and a transceiver circuit configured to be powered by the charging circuit to transmit data for receipt by the other NFC circuit. The electrically conductive layer is removable from being on the NFC circuit, and while the electrically conductive layer is on the NFC circuit the transceiver circuit is prevented from transmitting. The electrically conductive layer can include a removable conductive sticker that electrically connects to one or more locations on the antenna, to a ground plane of the NFC circuit, and/or to another circuit node of the NFC circuit to prevent the transceiver circuit from transmitting.