Automatic Logout via BLE Signal Strength and Acceleration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for logging out of an image forming apparatus using a mobile terminal via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication lack effectiveness in preventing involuntary login states, as they do not accurately detect user disconnection or movement away from the device.

Innovation Solution

A method that measures the signal strength of advertising packets and the acceleration of the mobile terminal, determining if the signal strength decreases and acceleration exceeds thresholds for a preset period, triggering an automatic logout request to the image forming apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If automatic logout is implemented based on simple signal strength threshold, then logout automation is improved, but false logout due to temporary signal fluctuation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic logoutVSAvoidfalse logout
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of signal strength over a predetermined time period before triggering logout. This preliminary observation period allows the system to distinguish between temporary signal fluctuations and genuine user absence, preventing false logout while maintaining automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The logout determination is made dynamic by continuously monitoring signal strength changes over time rather than using a static threshold check. The system adapts its decision based on the temporal pattern of signal strength variations, enabling reliable automatic logout only when sustained signal degradation occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If logout is triggered by single acceleration threshold exceedance, then movement detection is simplified, but false logout due to accidental drops occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement detectionVSAvoidfalse logout
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors acceleration continuously over a predetermined time period before triggering logout. This preliminary monitoring allows the system to identify sustained movement patterns indicative of user departure while filtering out transient accelerations from accidental drops or device handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The acceleration monitoring operates continuously over time rather than as a single snapshot check. This continuous observation ensures that logout is triggered only by sustained movement patterns consistent with user departure, maintaining reliability while keeping the detection mechanism simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If both signal strength and acceleration conditions are monitored over time, then logout accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelogout accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges signal strength monitoring and acceleration monitoring into a unified logout determination process. Both parameters are evaluated together over the same predetermined time period, allowing the system to achieve high logout accuracy through multi-parameter correlation while avoiding the complexity of separate independent monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3451686B1Automatic logout method using bluetooth low energy communication and image forming apparatus for executing same
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP3451686B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3451686B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3451686B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a method including: measuring, by a mobile terminal, a signal strength of advertising packets broadcast by an image forming apparatus; determining whether the measured signal strength keeps decreasing for at least a preset period of time; and when the signal strength keeps decreasing for at least the preset period of time, transmitting a logout request to the image forming apparatus.