Wireless Feed Unit Authentication for Low-Complexity Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-contact power transmission systems for consumer electronics, such as mobile phones, incur increased costs due to complex authentication processes during power transmission using magnetic or electric fields.

Innovation Solution

A power reception unit system that performs authentication between the feed unit and the electronic unit through an electronic unit main body, utilizing a control section with an authentication section to facilitate mutual unit authentication, allowing for efficient power transmission without the need for direct terminal connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If authentication is performed between feed unit and electronic unit during non-contact power transmission, then charging reliability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging reliabilityVSAvoidauthentication process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a communication unit as an intermediary that enables authentication between the feed unit and electronic unit through data transmission. The communication unit transmits authentication data during the charging process, allowing verification of the electronic unit's identity without adding complex hardware authentication mechanisms. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through data-based authentication while avoiding excessive system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication unit serves multiple functions: it transmits charging control data from the feed unit to the electronic unit, and simultaneously transmits authentication data for verifying the electronic unit's identity. By combining authentication and data communication functions in a single unit, the patent avoids the need for separate authentication hardware, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining charging reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If authentication processes are simplified to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but charging reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcharging reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication unit acts as a cost-effective intermediary that provides authentication functionality through software-based data transmission rather than expensive hardware authentication mechanisms. By using existing communication infrastructure to transmit authentication data, the patent achieves reliable authentication at lower manufacturing cost, resolving the contradiction between cost and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or hardware-based authentication systems with a data transmission-based authentication mechanism using the communication unit. This substitution reduces manufacturing cost by eliminating specialized authentication hardware while maintaining charging reliability through cryptographic or protocol-based verification methods implemented in software.

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

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

This approach simplifies the authentication process, reducing costs and enabling efficient non-contact charging by utilizing existing authentication functions within the electronic unit main body to perform second authentication during power transmission, thus lowering the overall cost and complexity of the system.

Implementation Method 1

such feed units supply power to CE (consumer electronics) devices such as mobile phones and mobile music players, without contact with use of electromagnetic induction and magnetic resonance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

such feed units supply power to CE (consumer electronics) devices such as mobile phones and mobile music players, without contact with use of electromagnetic induction and magnetic resonance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP3719916B1Feed system, feed unit, and electronic unit
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3719916B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3719916B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3719916B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A feed system has a first electronic unit, a second electronic unit, and a feed unit. The first electronic unit and the feed unit are separated. The feed unit transmits power to a power reception section of the second electronic unit based upon result information of a first authentication between the first electronic unit and the second electronic unit. The feed unit performs a second authentication on the second electronic unit in conjunction with power transmission.