Ad-hoc Data Communication via Mobile Voice Call Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in sharing data between personal computers over long distances when conventional wired or wireless network connections are unavailable or inconvenient, leading to disruptions in communication during voice calls.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a data communication session between personal computers using existing voice calls by creating Personal Area Network (PAN) communication sessions with mobile devices, allowing data exchange without relying on conventional network connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional wired or wireless network connections are used for data communication between PCs, then data exchange can be established, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex when no acceptable connection is conventionally available
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile communication device (cellular phone) acts as an intermediary to establish data communication between two PCs. The phone receives data from the first PC via Bluetooth PAN connection, stores it temporarily, then transmits the data to the second PC through its cellular network connection, eliminating the need for direct network connection between PCs
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile communication device performs multiple functions: it serves as both a voice communication device and a data relay station. By leveraging the existing cellular network infrastructure already in use for voice calls, the system enables data communication without requiring separate network connections for data transfer
2Productivity
If conventional network connections are established during voice calls, then data can be exchanged, but the communication flow is disrupted and efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes Bluetooth PAN connections between the PCs and mobile devices before data transfer is needed. This preliminary setup ensures that data communication channels are ready and configured in advance, allowing immediate data exchange during voice calls without interrupting the communication flow
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves as a mediator that handles data transfer independently of the voice call channel. Data is transmitted through the mobile device's cellular data connection while voice communication continues uninterrupted through the voice channel, allowing parallel operation without disruption
3Reliability
If multiple network connection steps are required (wireless connection, VPN, conference server), then secure data transmission is achieved, but the process becomes arduous and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the data relay function from the complex multi-step network connection process and consolidates it into a single mobile device. Instead of requiring PCs to independently complete multiple connection steps (wireless connection, VPN, conference server), the mobile device handles all these functions centrally, reducing the complexity from multiple steps to a single integrated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile communication device automatically manages the data transfer process without requiring users to manually configure multiple connection parameters. The device self-manages Bluetooth pairing, data reception, storage, and transmission through its cellular network, eliminating the need for users to navigate complex connection setup procedures
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a first PC may receive a trigger to establish a data communication session with a second PC over an established voice call between first and second phones over a WAN. In response, the first PC may discover the first phone as an authorized personal area network (PAN) device, and may establish a first PAN communication session between the first PC and the first phone. A request may then be transmitted to the second phone over the established voice call to establish the data communication session between the first and second PCs, and in response, the second phone may discover the second PC as an authorized PAN device from the second phone. A second PAN communication session may thus be established between the second phone and the second PC, and data may be exchanged between the PCs using the PAN communication sessions and the established voice call.