BLE Proximity Detection for Companion Display Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computer ecosystems, users face difficulties in identifying and pairing companion display devices within the same room as a primary display device, leading to inefficiencies in presenting ancillary content.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals to detect and communicate with companion screen devices within the same room, allowing for intelligent selection and presentation of ancillary content, while filtering out devices outside the room through a user interface that enables communication over Wi-Fi or Ethernet links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If wireless discovery is used to find companion devices, then device discoverability is improved, but device complexity and user burden increase due to long lists of devices from multiple locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device discovery process by spatial location. Instead of presenting a single unified list of all discovered devices, the system divides devices into location-based groups (different rooms or geographic areas). This segmentation allows users to focus on devices in their current location while automatically filtering out distant devices, reducing the effective complexity of the pairing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the device list dynamically adaptive to the user's current location. The system determines the user's location (via GPS, Wi-Fi positioning, or other means) and automatically prioritizes or filters device listings based on proximity. This creates a locally optimized view where nearby devices are prominently displayed while distant devices are hidden or de-emphasized, reducing user burden without sacrificing discoverability.
2Loss of information
If all discovered devices are presented to the user, then complete device visibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to clutter and difficulty in identifying relevant devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic device listing system that automatically adjusts its content based on contextual factors such as user location, time of day, and usage patterns. The device list is not static but dynamically reorganized to place the most relevant devices at the top. This dynamic approach maintains complete device information availability while automatically filtering and prioritizing based on current context, making device selection easier without losing information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where user interactions with the device list (such as frequent selections or explicit preferences) are used to refine future listings. The system learns from user behavior and automatically adjusts the prioritization and filtering of devices. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain complete device visibility while progressively improving ease of operation by predicting user needs based on historical data.
3Adaptability or versatility
If companion devices from multiple locations are included, then device versatility is improved, but productivity decreases due to time required to identify same-room devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-organizing and pre-filtering device lists based on location information before the user needs to make selections. The system proactively determines user location and pre-sorts the device list accordingly, so that when the user opens the pairing interface, relevant devices are already positioned for quick access. This preliminary organization eliminates the need for users to manually scan through all devices, significantly improving pairing speed while maintaining access to diverse device options.
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 efficient and user-friendly selection of companion devices for presenting ancillary content, ensuring that only devices in the same room as the primary display device are considered, enhancing the user experience by reducing clutter and improving content delivery.
Implementation Method 1
A device includes at least one computer readable storage medium bearing instructions executable by a processor, and at least one processor configured for accessing the computer readable storage medium to execute the instructions to configure the processor for causing the device to receive a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) signal from a display apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A candidate companion screen device is located by a primary display device as being in the same room as the primary device using low energy Bluetooth, and in response ancillary content related to content being shown on the primary display device is provided to the companion screen device. The ancillary content may be provided from the Internet based on information in the content being presented on the primary display device by, e.g., providing a link to a website to the companion device.