Bluetooth Antenna Array Positional Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems using Bluetooth wireless communication often inaccurately determine which devices should cooperate, leading to unintended cooperation between devices that are close in distance but not in the correct positional relationship, such as when a user passes by an image forming apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that includes a communication apparatus with multiple antennas and a communication terminal, where the terminal acquires angle and radio field intensity information to determine if the devices are in the correct positional relationship for cooperation, using this information to accurately establish wireless communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If distance-based determination is used to establish wireless communication, then communication establishment is simplified, but erroneous cooperation occurs when devices are close but not in the correct positional relationship
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional distance-based determination to two-dimensional spatial determination by incorporating angle information (angle of arrival or angle of departure) alongside distance measurements. This dimensional expansion enables the system to distinguish between devices that are close in distance but differ in angular position, thereby preventing erroneous cooperation while maintaining simplified operation through automated multi-parameter assessment.
2Reliability
If multiple parameters (angle and distance) are used for determination, then cooperation accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or manual determination systems with wireless signal-based measurement systems. By utilizing existing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertising packets and signal processing capabilities, the system automatically extracts both distance (via radio field intensity) and angle (via angle of arrival/departure) information without requiring additional physical sensors or manual configuration, thus improving accuracy while managing complexity through software-based solutions.
3Measurement precision
If angle information is acquired using multiple antennas, then positional relationship determination is improved, but hardware requirements and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the antenna system multi-functional by using the same set of antennas for both wireless communication (data transmission/reception) and spatial measurement (angle determination). The antennas serve dual purposes: establishing the communication link and providing the signal basis for calculating angle of arrival or departure. This eliminates the need for separate measurement antennas, thereby improving positional determination precision without proportionally increasing hardware complexity or cost.
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
This solution prevents erroneous cooperation by ensuring that devices only communicate when they are in the intended positional relationship, reducing unnecessary communication establishment and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a communication apparatus and a communication terminal which are able to perform wireless communication with each other, in which the communication apparatus includes a first wireless communication interface conforming to a Bluetooth standard and including a plurality of antennas
Data Source
AI summary
In a communication system including a communication apparatus and a communication terminal which are able to perform wireless communication with each other, the communication apparatus includes a first wireless communication interface conforming to a Bluetooth standard and including a plurality of antennas, and the communication terminal includes a second wireless communication interface conforming to the Bluetooth standard and one or more controllers configured to acquire angle information and radio field intensity information based on a result of a plurality of radio waves respectively emitted from the plurality of antennas having been received by the second wireless communication interface, and, in response to the angle information and the radio field intensity information having satisfied a predetermined condition, transmit a request for establishment of wireless communication conforming to the Bluetooth standard to the first wireless communication interface via the second wireless communication interface.