Ad Hoc Communication System for Anonymous Safety Messaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in communicating safety issues to unknown drivers without their contact information, as traditional methods like yelling may not be effective and could create safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A method for establishing ad hoc communication using open communication protocols like Bluetooth, Zigbee, or Wi-Fi, where authentication tokens allow unknown contacts to connect and continue communication via cellular networks if they fall out of range, ensuring safety messages can be exchanged anonymously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional methods like yelling are used to communicate with unknown drivers, then the message can be delivered, but safety risks increase and the method is not effective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage delivery effectivenessVSAvoidsafety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary communication system using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology and authentication tokens as a mediator between the sender and recipient. Instead of direct verbal communication that creates safety risks, the system uses authenticated digital message passing through mobile devices, eliminating the need for drivers to interact directly while ensuring message delivery reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical method of yelling out windows with an electronic communication system. The mechanical action of vocal communication is substituted with electronic message transmission through authenticated digital channels, maintaining effectiveness while eliminating safety hazards associated with physical interaction between vehicles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If authentication tokens are used for unsolicited messages, then anonymity is maintained and safety is improved, but communication complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety hazardsVSAvoidcommunication protocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-generating authentication tokens that are stored on devices before communication is needed. When an unsolicited message is sent, the recipient's device already possesses the authentication token, allowing immediate verification without real-time complexity. The authentication mechanism is prepared in advance, simplifying the actual message exchange process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of authentication from complex real-time verification to simple token validation. By transforming the authentication mechanism into a parameter change (from continuous verification to discrete token checking), the system maintains security and anonymity while reducing communication protocol complexity during actual message exchange

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9961064B2Ad hoc communications

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 AT&T MOBILITY II LLC

AI summary

Ad hoc communications are established between unknown contacts. For example, in today's mobile communications environment, there are many instances in which a user of smart phone may wish to send a message to an unknown user's smartphone. An ad hoc communication thus allows messaging with an unknown user.