Transformable NFC Tag State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing NFC tags require updating or writing to change states, which is inefficient and may not address the needs of consumer convenience and environmental sustainability, particularly for elderly customers who struggle with online ordering and security concerns.
Innovation Solution
A transformable near field communication (NFC) tag system that transitions between states without updating or writing to the tag, allowing it to serve multiple functionalities, such as a container closure and a dash device for direct product ordering, enhancing user convenience and security by providing different responses based on the tag's state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If NFC tag is transformed by updating or writing to it, then the tag can change states and serve different functions, but the process becomes inefficient and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC tag's functionality is made dynamic through state flags that can be set or cleared based on consumer actions (opening container, removing closure). The tag transitions between different functional states (information provision, ordering, reordering) without physical rewriting, allowing adaptive behavior based on product lifecycle events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the NFC tag by modifying state flags (first state flag, second state flag) rather than rewriting the entire tag content. This parameter-based state management enables efficient transitions between different tag functionalities without the complexity of full tag updates.
2Ease of operation
If NFC tag provides multiple functions through state changes, then consumer convenience is improved, but data security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC tag functionality is segmented into distinct state flags (first state flag for opening detection, second state flag for transformation status). Each flag controls specific functions independently, allowing the system to provide multiple consumer conveniences (information access, ordering, reordering) while maintaining security through granular control over when each function is active.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where consumer actions (opening container, tapping NFC tag) trigger state changes that are communicated to the server. The server responds with appropriate actions (providing information, enabling ordering), creating a secure feedback loop that enhances convenience while maintaining data protection through server-mediated authentication and response validation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If NFC tag remains in single state, then security is simplified, but functionality and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC tag is designed as a universal device that can perform multiple functions (providing product information, enabling product ordering, enabling product reordering) within a single tag structure. State flags control which functions are active, allowing one tag to replace multiple specialized tags while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized state-based control.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed comprising a near field communication tag that is transformable from a first state to a second state. The system also comprises a server program stored on a non-transitory storage medium that, when executed by a server apparatus, receives a first tag report from a user device in response to the tag being tapped while being in the first state, sends a first response to the user device or to another user device in response to the first tag report being received, receives a second tag report from the user device in response to the tag being tapped while being in the second state, and sends a second response to the user device or to another user device in response to the second tag report being received.