RFID Tag Battery Monitoring and Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Peripheral devices with RFID tags face challenges in battery life due to power consumption, especially when establishing wireless connections, and existing access control methods are prone to security issues and user experience problems, such as biometric authentication failures and simple password vulnerabilities.

Innovation Solution

An RFID tag system that stores battery charge level information and uses an RFID reader to control the peripheral device's operational state, including powering it on or off, and to initiate charging when necessary, while also providing a robust authentication mechanism that reduces reliance on passwords and biometrics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the peripheral device continuously monitors and maintains wireless connection readiness, then connection speed is improved, but battery life deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection speedVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing connection parameters, device identifiers, and authentication credentials in the RFID tag before actual connection is needed. When connection is required, the mobile device can quickly retrieve these pre-stored parameters rather than performing full device discovery and pairing protocols, thus achieving fast connection without continuous power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts essential connection and authentication data from the main peripheral device and stores it in the passive RFID tag. This separation allows the peripheral device to remain in low-power state while the RFID tag (powered by the mobile device's RFID reader) holds the necessary information for quick reconnection, eliminating the need for the peripheral device to continuously monitor connection status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If simple passwords are used for authentication, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication convenienceVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces traditional mechanical/password-based authentication systems with RFID-based electromagnetic field authentication. The RFID tag and reader use electromagnetic coupling to verify device identity and establish connections, eliminating the need for users to manually enter passwords while providing more secure authentication that cannot be easily observed or intercepted like visual password entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID tag acts as an intermediary that stores and transmits authentication credentials between the mobile device and peripheral device. Instead of direct password exchange or biometric scanning, the RFID system mediates the authentication process by verifying device identities through RFID communication, providing both convenience and security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If RFID tags are used for access control, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates when badges are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess control convenienceVSAvoidsecurity vulnerability to lost badges

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary binding between the RFID tag and the specific peripheral device during initial pairing. The RFID tag is programmed with device-specific identifiers and authentication parameters that are unique to each peripheral device. If an RFID tag is lost or stolen, it cannot be used to access other peripheral devices because the authentication credentials are device-specific and bound during initial setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements local quality by making each RFID tag's authentication credentials specific to a particular peripheral device rather than using universal access credentials. The RFID tag contains device-specific identifiers and cryptographic parameters that are tailored to the individual peripheral device it is paired with, providing localized security that prevents unauthorized access to other devices even if the RFID tag is compromised.

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

This solution enhances battery life by optimizing power usage and improves user authentication security by providing a robust, password-independent access control method that is resistant to spying and interception.

Implementation Method 1

RFID technology uses electromagnetic fields to transfer data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic fields: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9824203B2Utilizing a radio frequency identification tag to assess the battery level of a peripheral device

Publication Date: 2017.11.21 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC

AI summary

Pursuant to at least some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method that includes configuring an RFID tag to store information related to a battery charge level of a battery of a peripheral device, reading the RFID tag, and disabling a subsequent reading of the RFID tag in response to determining that the RFID tag includes stored information indicative of the battery charge level being low or depleted.