Accessory Group Pairing for Proximity-Based Device Finding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device locator services do not provide meaningful location services for a set of related devices, such as accessory devices like earbuds, which are often misplaced or lost.
Innovation Solution
A method for pairing accessory devices into a group, enabling them to share information and facilitate location services through beacon signals, including status updates and proximity detection, using a device group profile and secure key management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If device locator services provide location information for individual accessory devices, then the location of each device can be determined, but the meaningful location service for a set of related devices (device group) cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual accessory device location informations into a unified device group location service. By merging the location data from individual devices (e.g., AirPods) with the container device (e.g., charging case), the system provides meaningful location information for the entire device group rather than just individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the device group into individual component devices and the container device, allowing separate tracking and location determination for each segment. This segmentation enables the system to handle cases where individual devices are separated from the container while still providing overall group location services.
2Reliability
If pairing status verification is performed for each accessory device in a device group, then secure pairing can be ensured, but the pairing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary pairing status verification and key exchange between accessory devices and the container device before the actual location tracking begins. This preliminary action establishes secure authentication relationships in advance, so that during operation, the system can rely on pre-verified pairing status without repeated complex verification processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The container device acts as an intermediary that facilitates pairing and key management between multiple accessory devices. Instead of requiring direct pairing between each accessory device and the user's mobile device, the container device mediates the pairing process, simplifying the overall complexity while maintaining security through centralized key management.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Embodiments that relate to pairing and finding a group of accessory devices are described. In an embodiment, a pairing status is received from a first accessory device, a request is sent to the first accessory device for information on a number of accessory devices in a device group and a number of accessory devices that are proximate to the first accessory device in the device group, information on a second accessory device in the device group is received, a continue pairing message is sent to the second accessory device if the second accessory device is proximate, and a device group profile is created with information on the number of parts and received information on the second accessory device.