RFID Tag Wake-Up for Wireless Device Commissioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current commissioning procedures for wireless devices, such as Bluetooth headsets and wireless sensor nodes, are user-unfriendly, prone to errors, and costly due to the need for manual power switching and buttons, which complicates secure network setup and control relationships.
Innovation Solution
A system where an RFID tag in the first device detects an electromagnetic field generated by a second device to wake up the host processor, eliminating the need for manual power switching and reducing costs by removing the need for a separate power button, allowing for secure and intuitive commissioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual power switching and buttons are used for device commissioning, then secure network setup and control relationships can be established, but the commissioning procedure becomes user-unfriendly, error-prone, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically wakes up from sleep mode when an RFID tag is detected in proximity, eliminating the need for manual power switching. The commissioning process becomes self-service as the device autonomously transitions from low-power state to active state, allowing secure network setup without requiring user intervention for power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag acts as an intermediary that triggers the wake-up signal. Instead of direct user interaction with power buttons, the user simply brings the RFID tag (containing network credentials) near the device, and the tag mediates the activation process, making commissioning easier while maintaining security through the tag's encrypted data.
2Ease of operation
If manual power switching is required, then devices can be activated for commissioning, but the procedure becomes complex and requires additional components like power buttons
Solution Approach 1:
The power button component is extracted and removed from the device. Instead of having a physical button for power control, the device uses automatic wake-up triggered by RFID tag detection. This extraction simplifies the device design by eliminating unnecessary components while maintaining the ability to control power state for commissioning purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag serves multiple functions: it acts as both an authentication credential carrier and a wake-up trigger. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate power buttons and simplifies the commissioning process, as the same component that provides network credentials also activates the device.
3Use of energy by moving object
If devices remain in low-power mode during commissioning, then energy consumption is reduced, but manual activation is required which complicates the commissioning process
Solution Approach 1:
The device is pre-configured to automatically wake up upon detecting the RFID tag in proximity. This preliminary setup allows the device to remain in low-power mode during storage and transport, then automatically activate when needed for commissioning, combining energy efficiency with automatic activation without requiring user intervention.
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
Simplifies the commissioning process by automating device activation and reducing user interaction, enhancing security and design flexibility while maintaining backward compatibility with existing pairing methods.
Implementation Method 1
an RFID tag comprised in the first device wakes up a host processor comprised in the first device upon detecting an electromagnetic field generated by a second device
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the invention a system for commissioning devices is provided, which system comprises: a first device and a second device; an RFID tag comprised in the first device; a host processor comprised in the first device; wherein the second device is arranged to generate an electromagnetic field; wherein the RFID tag is arranged to detect the electromagnetic field and to wake up the host processor upon detecting said electromagnetic field in order for the second device to communicate with the host processor. Furthermore, a corresponding method for commissioning devices is provided. Since the RFID tag comprised in the first device is arranged to wake up the host processor, an end-user does not have to switch on the first device manually. Therefore, the user interaction is simplified. Furthermore, there is no need for a separate power button on the first device. The latter reduces cost and simplifies the design of the first device.