RFID Circuit Post-Manufacture Mobile Terminal Functionality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile terminals, such as smartphones and PDAs, face limitations in enhancing functionality beyond software updates, as additional hardware requirements for new features are challenging to integrate post-manufacture, restricting the potential functionality they can offer.

Innovation Solution

The integration of an RFID communications circuit with a mobile terminal, allowing for the provision of additional functionality by interacting with the circuit to enable hardware enhancements, such as sensors, through power management and information exchange, enabling the mobile terminal to support a wider range of functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional hardware is integrated into a mobile terminal to enhance functionality, then the device capabilities are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidhardware integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the RFID functionality into an independent communications circuit that can be carried by the mobile terminal rather than integrating it into the main device hardware. This segmentation allows the terminal to gain additional functionality through the separate RFID circuit without increasing the complexity of the terminal's core hardware architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID communications circuit acts as an intermediary between the mobile terminal and external RFID systems. By introducing this intermediate component, the terminal can interact with RFID tags and circuits to provide enhanced functionality (such as sensing, identification, or communication capabilities) without directly integrating complex hardware into the terminal itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional hardware is integrated into a mobile terminal to enhance functionality, then the device capabilities are improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the RFID functionality into a separate communications circuit that is carried by the terminal rather than integrated into it, the invention simplifies the manufacturing process. The terminal can be manufactured using standard processes, and the RFID functionality is added through the separate circuit component, avoiding the need for complex post-manufacturing hardware integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If power is provided to an RFID communications circuit following activation, then the circuit can perform additional functions, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID communications circuit is activated and powered only when needed, rather than operating continuously. The terminal provides power to the RFID circuit following activation, enabling additional functionality only during periods when RFID operations are required. This periodic activation pattern reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining the ability to provide enhanced functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 allows for the enhancement of mobile terminal functionality by leveraging RFID communications circuits, enabling the integration of additional hardware features post-manufacture, thereby expanding the device's capabilities without the need for extensive redesign or re-manufacturing.

Implementation Method 1

Each RFID communications circuit element is configured to receive power from a mobile terminal via the antenna

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2842074B1Method and apparatus for facilitating interaction between a radio frequency identification communications circuit and a mobile terminal

Publication Date: 2018.05.23 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

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AI summary

A method and apparatus are provided to facilitate the interaction of a mobile terminal (10) and an RFID communications circuit (14) carried by or otherwise associated with the mobile terminal (10) such that the RFID communications circuit (14) facilitates the provision of the additional functionality following the manufacture and deployment of the mobile terminal (10). In the context of a method, power may be caused to be provided to an RFID communications circuit (14) carried by a mobile terminal (10) following activation of the RFID communications circuit (14). The method also receives information from the RFID communications circuit (14) and causes an operation to be performed with a processor based upon the information received from the RFID communications circuit (14).