Anonymous Discovery Pilot Codes for Wireless Device Proximity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in device discovery within close proximity without revealing terminal identities or locations, especially when using centralized approaches that may compromise security and require standardized systems for position-based device location.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where wireless terminals transmit anonymous discovery pilot identification codes within reserved radio resources, allowing paired terminals to locate each other without position determination, using network-assigned discovery pilot identification codes that maintain anonymity and security through CDMA-type spread spectrum coding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If centralized control of peer discovery pilot transmission is used, then device discovery capability is improved, but security and privacy are compromised due to position information transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice discovery capabilityVSAvoidsecurity and privacy risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts position information from the discovery process entirely. Instead of transmitting GPS coordinates or location data to a centralized server, the system uses only anonymous identification codes that cannot be traced back to physical locations. This removes the harmful element (position information) while preserving the useful function (device discovery).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary anonymous identification code system between devices and the centralized controller. Rather than direct position information exchange, devices communicate through coded identifiers that the controller can match without revealing location data. This intermediary layer protects privacy while enabling discovery functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If position-based device discovery is implemented, then device location accuracy is improved, but system complexity and centralized database requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice location accuracyVSAvoidcentralized system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified copy of the discovery function that operates without centralized position databases. Instead of complex location tracking infrastructure, the system uses lightweight anonymous identification codes that can be processed by simple network entities, dramatically reducing system complexity while maintaining discovery capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Object-affected harmful factors

If anonymous discovery pilot identification codes are transmitted, then security and privacy are improved, but device discovery reliability may be reduced without position information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity and privacy protectionVSAvoiddevice discovery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where devices transmit anonymous identification codes and receive responses from the network entity that confirms successful pairing. This feedback loop ensures reliable discovery operation even without position information, as the system can verify successful matches through the anonymous code exchange and response confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables secure and efficient device discovery within proximity without revealing terminal identities or locations, enhancing security and reducing the need for centralized position-based systems, while allowing terminals to communicate their presence to each other through anonymous identification codes.

Implementation Method 1

using network-assigned discovery pilot identification codes that maintain anonymity and security through CDMA-type spread spectrum coding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCDMA-type spread spectrum coding:

Data Source

PatentEP2920943B1Apparatus and methods for anonymous device discovery in wireless communications systems

Publication Date: 2023.01.18 SONY GROUP CORP

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AI summary

A wireless communications system transmits a first message including an anonymous discovery pilot identification code to a first terminal, receives a second message from a second terminal and determines whether the second message identifies the discovery pilot identification code. The system may transmit a third message identifying the first terminal to the second terminal responsive to the second message identifying the discovery pilot identification code. Transmission of the first message may be preceded by receiving a request message from the first terminal requesting permission to transmit a discovery pilot signal.