Wearable NFC Glove for Wireless Device Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control systems for electronic devices, such as smartphones, are not user-friendly or accurate when used during sports activities or in situations requiring concentration, especially when the user is wearing gloves or thick tissues, as they rely on visual or tactile recognition of buttons or icons.

Innovation Solution

A wearable control member, like a glove, equipped with NFC or RFID tags that allow remote control of electronic devices through a wireless label reader, enabling command execution without precise proximity or observation, using a mobile device programmed to detect codes and transmit associated commands to external devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If visual or tactile recognition of buttons or icons is used for device control, then the user can identify and select commands, but the accuracy and speed of control deteriorates when the user is wearing gloves or engaged in sports activities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol accuracyVSAvoidoperation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical interaction system (visual recognition and tactile button pressing) with a wireless communication system. NFC tags embedded in the wearable member communicate with the device via electromagnetic fields, eliminating the need for visual or tactile interaction. This allows reliable control even when wearing gloves or during sports activities, as the communication occurs through proximity-based wireless signaling rather than mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the user needs to observe and recognize button positions for control, then command selection is possible, but the user cannot maintain concentration on sports activities or other tasks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommand selection capabilityVSAvoidtime for command acknowledgment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds NFC tags with encoded command information into the wearable member in advance. Each tag is pre-configured with specific command data corresponding to different body parts or gestures. During operation, the user simply needs to bring the relevant body part near the device, and the pre-encoded command is automatically transmitted, eliminating the need for real-time observation or selection and enabling rapid control during sports activities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If remote control devices with buttons or icons are used, then device functionality can be controlled, but the control mechanism requires precision and direct observation that is incompatible with glove wear or sports activities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice control capabilityVSAvoidproximity precision requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces NFC tags as intermediary elements between the user and the device control system. These tags act as mediators that carry command information wirelessly through electromagnetic fields. The user interacts with the system by bringing body parts near the device, and the NFC tags facilitate automatic command transmission without requiring precise positioning or visual observation, thus enabling versatile control in various contexts including glove wear and sports activities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables easy, safe, and fast control of electronic devices during sports or concentrated activities by allowing users to select and execute commands without visual recognition of buttons or icons, enhancing flexibility and customization, and simplifying control of external devices through wireless communication.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor for electronic labels (tags) of contactless type, particularly RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tags and NFC (Near Field Communication) tags

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3254173A1Wearable control member for electronic devices
Publication Date: 2017.12.13 RICCARDO MIETTO

AI summary

A control system (Ql; Q2) is described comprising: -a mobile portable device (S) comprising a wireless label reader (R); -a glove (10), to remotely control the mobile device, comprising a first and second label (21, 22, 23) respectively associated to two different identification codes recognizable at a distance by the reader, The portable mobile device being configured for - detecting by the reader the code of a label, and - managing the execution of a command that is associated with the code. The system for a user is easy and simple to use.