Address Book Device Discovery for Unified Multi-Device Calling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of electronic devices with independent communication applications leads to user energy wastage, inconvenient interworking, and increased device management costs, as each device requires separate user interactions and account logins.

Innovation Solution

An address book-based device discovery method that allows seamless communication between devices by utilizing contact information stored in a user's address book to automatically discover and enable communication with compatible devices, eliminating the need for multiple app installations and simplifying device management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If each device has an independent third-party application for communication, then device functionality is improved, but user energy is wasted and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiduser energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling a single communication application to serve multiple devices through address book-based device discovery. Instead of requiring separate third-party applications for each device, the system allows one application to communicate with various devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, televisions, speakers) by automatically discovering them through the address book, thereby eliminating redundant applications and reducing user energy consumption.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If each device has an independent third-party application for communication, then device functionality is improved, but device management costs are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiddevice management costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple device management functions into a single unified system. By using address book-based device discovery, the system combines the identification, communication setup, and coordination of multiple devices into one application framework. This eliminates the need for separate third-party applications for each device, thereby reducing device management complexity and costs while maintaining versatile device functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If automatic device discovery is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service through automatic device discovery mechanisms. The system automatically detects, identifies, and establishes communication with compatible devices by querying the address book and determining compatibility without requiring manual user intervention. This automation significantly improves ease of operation while the underlying complexity is managed through standardized protocols and integrated system functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4024818B1Address book-based device discovery method, audio and video communication method, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4024818B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4024818B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4024818B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)

AI summary

This application provides an address book-based device discovery method, an audio and video communication method, and an electronic device. In the method, a personal device of a user is registered with a communication account system by using a phone number, and the communication account system is responsible for maintaining a binding relationship between the device and the phone number for capability discovery and query. Then, a list of devices that meet a privacy policy is queried based on the phone number of the user, and a list of devices that can perform audio and video communication is displayed in an address book. Then, another user can call different personal devices by using a call service. The personal devices can ring simultaneously. Home devices such as a speaker and a television of the user comply with a specific privacy policy and participate in the audio and video communication. This solution can implement calls between different devices of a same user, and one-click discovery, dialing, and call services between home devices, vehicle-mounted devices, and even more 5G communications devices in high-privacy scenarios, and improve user experience.