Smartphone NFC Alignment via Camera Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for aligning communication units in devices for short-range wireless communication, such as NFC, face challenges due to limited range and visibility issues, making accurate alignment difficult, especially when the antenna marks are not visible or are obstructed.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that displays an alignment image captured by a camera on a display unit, overlapping it with a live view image, allowing users to easily align communication units by matching the two images for successful short-range wireless communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the antenna mark is recorded on the back side of the smartphone, then the alignment information is stored, but the user cannot see this mark when the back side is facing the copy apparatus side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the camera to capture a copy image of the antenna mark on the copy apparatus, and displays this captured image overlaid on the live view image. This allows the user to see the antenna position information without physically viewing the mark on the apparatus, solving the visibility problem while maintaining alignment functionality.
2Strength
If a cover is mounted to cover the back surface of the smartphone, then the smartphone is protected, but the antenna mark cannot be confirmed even if the smartphone is turned over
Solution Approach 1:
The camera captures an image of the antenna mark on the copy apparatus, creating a visual copy that is displayed on the smartphone screen. This allows the antenna position information to be viewed through the cover without removing it, maintaining both protection and information accessibility.
3Reliability
If the communicable range of NFC type proximity communication unit is limited to several cm, then short-range wireless communication is achieved, but the devices cannot perform good communication unless in an approximately close-contact state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides real-time visual feedback by displaying the captured antenna mark image overlaid on the live view image during the alignment process. This feedback mechanism guides the user to achieve proper alignment before bringing the devices into close contact, making the alignment process easier while maintaining communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary alignment guidance using the displayed captured image before the actual close-contact communication occurs. This preliminary action allows the user to position the devices correctly in advance, ensuring that when close contact is made, communication can proceed reliably.
4Volume of moving object
If the marks of both proximity communication units are not visible externally when brought into close contact, then the devices can be compact, but it becomes more likely for deviation between antenna positions to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The camera captures an image of the antenna mark on the copy apparatus, creating a visual copy that is displayed on the smartphone screen during alignment. This allows the user to see and align with the antenna position without requiring external visibility of marks on both devices, maintaining compactness while achieving precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time visual feedback by displaying the captured antenna mark image overlaid on the live view image, enabling the user to monitor alignment progress and achieve precise antenna position matching without needing to see external marks on both devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an apparatus and a method that enable alignment for communication, in which short-range wireless communication is performed, to be performed easily and with high accuracy. The apparatus and the method include a control unit that displays, on a display unit, an image to be presented to a user at a time of aligning a position of a communication unit of the self-apparatus that performs short-range wireless communication with a position of a communication unit of a communication counterpart apparatus. The control unit overlappingly displays, on the display unit, an alignment image captured by a camera of the self-apparatus at a position where short-range wireless communication between the self-apparatus and the communication counterpart apparatus is possible, and a live view image which is a current captured image according to the camera of the self-apparatus. The control unit displays outline data or transparent data for the alignment image on the display unit.