Touch-Activated NFC Circuit for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing NFC-enabled mobile wireless communications devices face security and privacy concerns due to their 'always-on' nature, which compromises ease of use, as they send universal ID numbers without user consent and consume high power for electromagnetic field generation, and current solutions that require manual application activation are cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A mobile wireless communications device with touch-activated sensors that enable the NFC circuit only when intentionally activated by the user, using capacitive touch sensors to power the NFC IC chip, ensuring secure and efficient NFC communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If NFC circuit is always-on to enable immediate communication, then ease of operation is improved, but power consumption increases and security concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC circuit operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The capacitive touch sensor periodically checks for user input, and the NFC IC chip is activated only during periods when touch input is detected, creating an on-demand operational pattern that reduces power consumption while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's own touch input as the trigger to activate NFC functionality. The capacitive touch sensor detects the user's intent through their touch, and this same input automatically powers the NFC IC chip, making the system self-activating without requiring separate manual activation steps.
2Ease of operation
If NFC circuit is always-on to enable immediate communication, then ease of operation is improved, but security and privacy concerns worsen due to unauthorized data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary action by requiring user authentication through capacitive touch before allowing NFC communication to occur. This pre-activation check prevents unauthorized data transmission by ensuring the user has explicitly authorized the NFC function before it can send universal ID numbers or other data.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive touch sensor acts as an intermediary between the user's intent and the NFC IC chip activation. This intermediate layer provides a security checkpoint where user authorization is verified before the actual NFC communication begins, preventing direct unauthorized access.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual application activation is required to activate NFC, then security is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to cumbersome activation process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the security function (user authorization) with the activation function into a single capacitive touch input. Instead of requiring separate manual activation steps, the same touch that provides security authorization also activates the NFC IC chip, combining both requirements into one simple user action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the user's natural touch interaction to simultaneously serve both as security authentication and as the activation mechanism. The user's own input performs dual functions, eliminating the need for separate manual activation procedures while maintaining security.
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
The solution provides secure and efficient NFC communication by ensuring the NFC circuit is only activated when needed, reducing power consumption and enhancing user experience by eliminating the need for manual application activation, thus addressing security and privacy concerns while maintaining ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
A first touch activated sensor supported by the housing and operative for enabling operation of the NFC circuit when touched
Implementation Method 2
The NFC IC chips use magnetic field induction where two loop antennas are located near each other and form an air-core transformer
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing and a circuit board carried by the housing and including Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry and a processor carried by the housing and operative with each other. A Near Field Communications (NFC) circuit is positioned on the circuit board and operative with the processor for communicating in accordance with the NFC communication protocol. A touch activated sensor is supported by the housing and operative for enabling operation of the NFC circuit when touched to establish NFC communications from the communications device.