BLE Scanner Communication Across Any Connectivity State
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scanner systems with portable scanning devices face challenges in maintaining communication across different connectivity states without interfering with established connections, and adding a second communication module increases complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertising packets for bi-directional communication between scanning devices, allowing communication in any connectivity state without disrupting existing connections, using a single wireless communication module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a second communication module is added to enable communication in any connectivity state, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing wireless communication module is made multi-functional by enabling it to operate in different connectivity states (connected and disconnected) through advertising packet communication. This allows the single module to perform both established connection communication and independent advertising packet communication, eliminating the need for a second dedicated communication module while maintaining communication capability in any state
2Adaptability or versatility
If a second communication module is added to enable communication in any connectivity state, then communication capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution reuses the existing wireless communication module for dual purposes: maintaining established connections and handling advertising packet communication in disconnected states. This eliminates the need to manufacture and integrate a second communication module, thereby reducing component costs, assembly costs, and overall manufacturing expenses while achieving the desired communication versatility
3Adaptability or versatility
If advertising packets are used for communication, then communication in any connectivity state is enabled, but interference with established connections may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The communication functionality is segmented into two distinct modes: established connection communication and advertising packet communication. The system selectively activates the appropriate mode based on connectivity state, ensuring that advertising packets are only transmitted when no established connection exists, thereby preventing interference while maintaining versatility
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for operating a scanner system (14) is provided. The scanner system (14) has a scanning device (16) portable by a user (U), and an interacting device (20). The method comprises: - broadcasting an advertising packet (A1) by a first device (44), being the interacting device (20) or the scanning device (16), the advertising packet (A1) comprising identification information and payload information, - receiving the advertising packet (A1) by a second device (46), - verifying the identification information of the advertising packet (A1) against stored, expected identification information, and - if the verification has been positive, performing an action by the second device (46) based on the payload information, wherein the action includes, always or when one or more prerequisites are met, broadcasting an advertising packet (A2) as a reaction. Further, a scanner system (14) and a scanning device (16) are provided.