Resonant Circuit Tuning for Contactless Subscriber Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user-configurable devices face challenges in cost-effective and easy configuration due to the need for multiple electrical contacts, dedicated components for wireless or optical connections, and limitations such as lack of NFC support in all user devices.
Innovation Solution
A subscriber of a communication system with a microcontroller and an electromagnetic resonant circuit that can detect and generate magnetic signals, allowing for configuration via magnetic coupling by switching pins to different operating modes to tune the resonant circuit to match carrier frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wired connection is used for device configuration, then configuration can be performed, but multiple electrical contacts are required on both the device and user device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with an electromagnetic field-based configuration system. The microcontroller generates electromagnetic signals that are coupled to the resonant circuit, eliminating the need for physical electrical contacts while maintaining configuration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonant circuit acts as an intermediary between the microcontroller and the external configuration device. It couples electromagnetic signals from the microcontroller to external devices through electromagnetic induction, serving as a mediator that eliminates direct electrical contact requirements.
2Ease of operation
If optical connection is used for device configuration, then configuration can be performed wirelessly, but line of sight and dedicated optical components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the optical connection system with an electromagnetic field-based system using the resonant circuit. This replacement eliminates the need for optical components and line-of-sight requirements while maintaining wireless configuration capability through electromagnetic coupling.
3Ease of operation
If acoustic connection is used for device configuration, then wireless configuration is possible, but a microphone is required in the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the acoustic connection system with an electromagnetic field-based system. The resonant circuit generates and couples electromagnetic signals directly, eliminating the need for acoustic transducers like microphones while providing wireless configuration capability.
4Ease of operation
If NFC is used for magnetic coupling configuration, then configuration can be performed, but additional NFC components are required and not all user devices support NFC
Solution Approach 1:
The resonant circuit serves as an intermediary that enables magnetic coupling configuration without requiring dedicated NFC components. It couples electromagnetic signals from the microcontroller to external devices through resonance, providing a universal interface that works with various user devices including iPhones that lack NFC write capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes resonance frequency as a key parameter to enable configuration. By tuning the resonant circuit to specific frequencies, the system can establish electromagnetic coupling with external devices without requiring NFC-specific hardware, thereby expanding compatibility across different user devices.
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 cost-effective and easy configuration of devices by using magnetic coupling, overcoming the limitations of traditional configuration methods and device compatibility issues.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic resonant circuit (142) connected to the microcontroller (144) configured to detect and/or generate a magnetic signal containing data to be transmitted to and/or from the other device (140)
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic resonant circuit (142) connected to the microcontroller (144) configured to detect and/or generate a magnetic signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The invention relates to a subscriber of a communication system, wherein: the subscriber has a microcontroller and a configuration interface; the configuration interface comprises an electromagnetic resonant circuit which is connected to said microcontroller and is configured to detect and/or generate a magnetic signal having data to be transmitted to and/or from said subscriber; the microcontroller is connected to at least one tuning element for tuning the electromagnetic resonant circuit; and the microcontroller is configured to switch at least one pin of the microcontroller, to which the at least one tuning element is connected, to one of a plurality of different operating modes in order to tune the electromagnetic resonant circuit.