Lifestyle Improvement Using NFC Tags

Lifestyle Improvement Using NFC Tags

Brief History Of IoTs

You all might have heard about IoTs, which stand for Internet of Things. These are your normal electronic gadgets like Light Bulbs, Eyewear, etc., with addition of Internet. IoTs enable you to control these gadgets remotely and securely from any corner of the world. A subdomain of IoTs are IoMTs, which stand for Internet of Medical Things. IoMTs are application of IoTs for providing a better lifestyle and healthcare services.

The history of the Internet of Things (IoT) is rooted in the convergence of various technologies over the past few decades. Here's a brief overview:

  1. Early Development (1980s-2000s): The concept of connecting devices to the internet dates back to the 1980s and 1990s when researchers and engineers began experimenting with networked appliances and machines. However, it wasn't until the early 2000s that the term "Internet of Things" started gaining traction.

  2. Development and Standardization (2000s-2010s): During this period, advancements in wireless communication, sensor technologies, and miniaturization paved the way for IoT's expansion. Standards like IPv6, which allows for a vast number of unique IP addresses, became crucial for accommodating the growing number of connected devices.

  3. Rapid Expansion (2010s-Present): The proliferation of smartphones, coupled with advancements in cloud computing and data analytics, accelerated IoT adoption. Companies began integrating IoT into various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and smart homes.

IoT has profoundly transformed our lifestyle in several ways:

  1. Smart Homes: IoT devices like smart thermostats, lighting systems, security cameras, and voice assistants have made homes more convenient, energy-efficient, and secure. According to Statista, the number of smart homes worldwide is projected to reach over $1.4 billion by 2025.

  2. Healthcare: IoT-enabled medical devices such as wearable fitness trackers, remote patient monitoring systems, and smart insulin pumps allow for continuous health monitoring and personalized care. By 2025, the global market for IoT healthcare devices is expected to exceed $135 billion.

  3. Transportation: IoT has revolutionized transportation with applications like connected cars, traffic management systems, and vehicle-to-vehicle communication. These technologies enhance road safety, optimize traffic flow, and enable autonomous driving.

  4. Industrial IoT (IIoT): In manufacturing and industrial settings, IoT facilitates predictive maintenance, real-time asset tracking, and process optimization. IIoT solutions have helped businesses reduce downtime, minimize operational costs, and improve productivity.

  5. Retail: IoT technologies such as RFID tags, beacon technology, and smart shelves enable retailers to streamline inventory management, enhance customer experiences, and deliver targeted marketing campaigns.

The evolution of IoT continues to reshape industries and societies, offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation and efficiency. As per IDC, the worldwide spending on IoT is forecasted to surpass $1.1 trillion by 2023, highlighting the significant investments being made in IoT technologies across various sectors.

NFC Tags

Near Field Communication (NFC) technology and NFC tags have become ubiquitous in modern smartphones and various applications (view). Here's a brief history and overview of NFC tags:

History:

  1. Inception: NFC technology traces its roots back to the early 2000s when Sony, Philips, and Nokia collaborated to develop a short-range wireless communication standard. Their goal was to create a simple and secure method for data exchange between devices at close proximity.

  2. Standardization: The NFC Forum, founded in 2004, played a pivotal role in standardizing NFC specifications and promoting interoperability among different devices and applications. This consortium includes leading technology companies such as Sony, Samsung, Nokia, and NXP Semiconductors.

  3. Commercialization: NFC technology gained momentum with the release of the first NFC-enabled smartphones in the late 2000s. Major mobile operating systems, including Android and iOS, began integrating NFC capabilities into their platforms, facilitating the widespread adoption of NFC-enabled devices.

How NFC Tags Work:

NFC tags are small, passive devices embedded with an NFC chip and antenna. They can store and transmit data to NFC-enabled devices like smartphones and tablets. Here's how NFC tags work:

  1. Communication: NFC tags utilize electromagnetic induction to establish communication with NFC-enabled devices. When an NFC-enabled device comes into close proximity (typically within a few centimeters) of an NFC tag, it induces a current in the tag's antenna, enabling data exchange.

  2. Data Storage: NFC tags can store various types of information, including web links, contact details, text messages, and commands. The amount of data a tag can store depends on its memory capacity, which can range from a few bytes to several kilobytes.

  3. Interaction: NFC tags operate in two modes: read-only and read-write. In read-only mode, the data stored on the tag is fixed and cannot be modified. In read-write mode, users can write, update, or overwrite data on the tag using compatible NFC-enabled devices.

  4. Applications: NFC tags have diverse applications across industries, including marketing, retail, access control, transportation, and healthcare. For example, retailers use NFC tags to provide product information, facilitate mobile payments, and engage customers with interactive experiences.

Overall, NFC tags have become integral components of the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem, enabling seamless connectivity and interaction between physical objects and digital devices. As NFC technology continues to evolve, its potential for innovative applications and user experiences is expected to expand further.

Project

Our project aims to combine the ease of using NFC tags and features of IoTs, serving a streamlined use for improving lifestyle. We do not aim for ONE Big Impact but rather MULTIPLE Small Impacts which increases adaptability amongst all ages. Additionally, NFC enabled solutions cost less than a dollar, which makes their cost to value ratio very high.

We have curated FOUR use cases which we firmly believe could bring positive transitions in our lives. These are :-

NFC Enabled Water Reminder

~By Smit Mulhar & Kshitij Khanka

  1. Problem : Struggling with low water intake and its health impacts, I sought solutions to track my consumption effectively. While water tracking apps abound, their tedious manual inputting led to inconsistency. Despite initial intrigue, the chore-like nature of logging intake 10–12 times daily proved unsustainable. Determined not to abandon tracking altogether, I explored simpler methods to maintain consistency.

  2. Solution: Applying NFC tags on water bottles can revolutionize hydration habits. By connecting these tags with smartphones, users can set reminders to drink water regularly. Tapping the NFC-tagged bottle against the phone triggers the reminder, prompting users to take a sip. This approach eliminates manual tracking and seamlessly integrates technology into daily routines, promoting consistent hydration and improving overall health.

  3. Working & Features :

    • Automatically sets reminder for consecutive water breaks.

    • Calculates your water intake as per number of remainders.

NFC Enabled Medicine Reminder

~ Aditi Waghulde & Aditi Joshi

  1. Problem : Parents ageing is one of the most common concerns amongst children. Often they forget to take medicine as per prescribed. A momentary relieve wouldn't solve the problem here, so we built Medicine Remainder. Medications is something that is often forgotten, patients sometimes forget medications, or which pills to be consumed at a moment.

  2. Solution: We developed a Medicine Reminder system utilising NFC tags to specifically address the issue of forgetfulness related to medication among aging parents. This innovative solution aims to combat missed doses and ensure adherence to prescribed pill schedules. By incorporating NFC technology, the system provides a user-friendly and efficient method for individuals to receive timely reminders about their medication, ultimately enhancing medication management for aging parents and fostering improved health outcomes.

  3. Working & Features :

  • Pill containers are equipped with NFC tags.

  • Users program their NFC-enabled device with a pill reminder app.

  • Reminder app schedules notifications based on medication schedule.

  • When it's time to take pills, user taps NFC-enabled device against pill container.

  • NFC tag triggers reminder notification on the device.

  • Notification displays medication details and instructions.

  • User interacts with notification, acknowledging and taking the pills.

  • Some apps may track adherence over time and provide refill reminders.

NFC technology offers a convenient and effective way to improve medication adherence.

NFC Enabled Automation For Better Sleep

~ Lavanya Tilokchandani & Kashish Valecha

  1. Problem : Difficulty in achieving a peaceful night's sleep due to disturbances from electronic devices. We often feel very restless and disturbed at night.

    This is due to the usage of electronic devices and different gadgets at night.

    The radiation and the Blue Light radiating from the screen and devices interferes with Melatonin hormone production, which helps with relaxing and sleep at night.

  2. Solution : Utilizing NFC tags to create a dedicated sleep mode for your smartphone. Using NFC tags is cost effective and very efficient. Configuring the NFC tag to trigger specific settings and modes conducive to better sleep.

    Programming of NFC tag is very time efficient and easy.

  3. Working & Features :

    • Identify the NFC tag with a specific sleep-related action.

    • Use NFC programming tools to assign tasks or settings to the tag.

    • Configuring Smartphone Settings:

      Dimming the screen brightness to reduce exposure to blue light.

      Enabling "Do Not Disturb" mode to silence notifications.

      Adjusting volume settings to a minimum or using vibration alerts.

      Setting up a sleep timer for music or ambient sounds, if desired.

    • Triggering Automation:

      Place the NFC tag in the sleep environment (e.g., on the bedside table).

      When the NFC-enabled smartphone is in close proximity, the tag triggers the programmed actions.

      The smartphone automatically adjusts settings to create a sleep-friendly environment.

Team Members

We all are pursuing BTech CSE from D Y Patil International University, Akurdi.

  1. Kshitij Khanka : LinkedIn | Twitter | Youtube | Github

  2. Aditi Joshi : LinkedIn | Blogs | Github

  3. Smit Mulhar : LinkedIn | Twitter | Github

  4. Aditi Waghulde : LinkedIn | Github

  5. Lavanya Tilokchandani

  6. Kashish Valecha