Barcode Contact Exchange via Optical Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for exchanging contact information between devices often face challenges with cross-platform compatibility and cumbersome manual processes, especially when dealing with different operating systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of a non-industry standard coding scheme and software application that allows for secure, encoded contact information transfer via barcode between devices, utilizing both non-optical and optical communication links, ensuring compatibility across various operating systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If industry standard barcode formats are used for contact information exchange, then compatibility with existing systems is improved, but the ability to implement custom secure coding schemes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary optical communication layer that translates custom barcode data into universally readable optical signals. The display device renders barcodes that can be read by image readers on different operating systems, serving as a universal intermediary that bridges custom encoding schemes with standard hardware capabilities across platforms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex wireless communication protocols with a simpler optical reading mechanism. Instead of requiring complex Bluetooth or NFC handshakes between devices, the system uses visual barcode display and optical image capture, which are universally supported and simpler to implement across different operating systems
2Ease of operation
If manual contact information exchange methods are used, then device compatibility issues are reduced, but the exchange process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic barcode generation and reading without requiring manual intervention. The source device automatically encodes contact information into barcodes and displays them, while the target device automatically captures and decodes the barcodes, eliminating the need for manual data entry or alignment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The source device pre-generates and displays the barcode with encoded contact information before the exchange is complete. The barcode is ready for immediate reading by the target device's image reader, eliminating delays associated with manual data entry or real-time data processing during the exchange
3Reliability
If optical communication links are used for barcode transmission, then communication reliability is improved, but alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from requiring precise spatial alignment in the physical dimension to using temporal sequencing. The barcode is displayed and then immediately read in a sequential manner, where the optical system doesn't need to maintain alignment during transmission but rather captures the barcode at a specific moment in time, eliminating alignment precision requirements
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 seamless and secure exchange of contact information across devices with different operating systems, reducing the need for manual alignment and overcoming compatibility issues, while providing users with control over data sharing.
Implementation Method 1
A display device of the first electronic device is configured for displaying a first barcode information
Implementation Method 2
An image reader of the second electronic device is configured for reading the first barcode information
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods may relate to a coded contact information exchange made between source and target electronic devices. In an exemplary embodiment, the coding scheme may be a non-industry standard coding scheme. In an illustrative example, one or more contact fields comprising user contact information are encoded in a barcode format for exchange between the devices. In some examples, the barcode may be transmitted over a non-optical communications link. In other examples, the encoded barcode may be transmitted over an optical communications link. In some examples, the barcode may comprise a two-dimensional barcode. In some examples, the source and target devices may comprise handheld devices, such as mobile phones.