Electronic Device with BLE–UWB Spatial Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology is unable to selectively scan for nearby devices located in the same space as the electronic device, leading to potential malfunctions when communicating with devices outside the intended area.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device employs a combination of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) communication methods to detect and communicate with nearby devices, using UWB for precise location and direction detection within the same space, and switching between sleep and normal modes based on event detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If BLE communication is used to scan for nearby devices, then detection range is extended, but location precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines BLE and UWB communication technologies into a hybrid system. BLE is used for initial device discovery and maintaining connection, while UWB is activated specifically for precise location and direction detection. This merging allows the system to leverage the long-range detection capability of BLE with the high-precision spatial awareness of UWB, resolving the contradiction between detection range and location precision.
2Measurement precision
If UWB communication is continuously activated for precise location detection, then location precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic activation of UWB communication rather than continuous operation. UWB is activated in intervals or triggered by specific conditions (such as when precise location detection is needed), allowing the device to maintain low power consumption while still achieving high-precision location detection when required. This periodic action resolves the contradiction between location precision and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system dynamically switches between BLE and UWB modes based on operational requirements. The system transitions from low-power BLE mode to high-precision UWB mode only when spatial detection is needed, and dynamically adjusts the activation frequency and duration of UWB based on detected events and user needs. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making power consumption variable rather than fixed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If BLE scans all devices in range, then detection capability is improved, but selectivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using UWB to detect specific spatial characteristics (location and direction within the same space) rather than treating all detected devices uniformly. The system identifies devices based on their precise spatial relationship to the electronic device, enabling selective communication with devices in the same physical space while filtering out devices in different locations. This spatial-based differentiation resolves the contradiction between detection capability and selectivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An operation method of an electronic device is provided. The operation method of the electronic device may include searching for a user terminal by using a first communication method in a sleep mode, performing, in response to discovery of the user terminal, pairing with the user terminal by using a second communication method, identifying whether a first event occurs in the user terminal by using the second communication method, and switching from the sleep mode to a normal mode when identifying that the first event has occurred in the user terminal.