Portable Terminal Bluetooth Pairing Information Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Bluetooth communication process is inconvenient as it requires multiple portable terminals to perform pairing processes with accessories, leading to delays when switching between devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus in a portable terminal that searches for and pairs with accessories, acquires connection information, and shares this information with peer terminals to facilitate subsequent pairing, reducing the need for repeated pairing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each portable terminal performs pairing process with accessories independently, then security and connection reliability are ensured, but connection time increases and user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the first portable terminal perform the pairing process with the accessory in advance and store the obtained connection information. This pre-established connection data can then be shared with subsequent terminals, eliminating the need for them to perform time-consuming pairing processes. The first terminal acts as an information source that has already completed the authentication and connection verification, allowing other terminals to bypass this step while maintaining security through the shared credentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by replicating the connection information obtained by the first portable terminal and providing it to subsequent portable terminals. Instead of each terminal independently establishing a unique pairing with the accessory, the connection credentials are copied and shared among multiple terminals. This allows subsequent terminals to use the copied connection information to connect to the accessory without performing the full pairing process, significantly reducing connection time while maintaining the reliability established during the initial pairing.
2Reliability
If pairing process is performed for every terminal-accessory connection, then secure connection is established, but operation complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary role played by the first portable terminal. This first terminal acts as a mediator that has already performed the secure pairing process with the accessory and now serves as an information source for subsequent terminals. The connection information is transmitted through this intermediary (first terminal) to subsequent terminals, allowing them to connect without directly performing the pairing process. This intermediary approach maintains security by using pre-verified credentials while greatly simplifying the operation for subsequent terminals.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple portable terminals connect to the same accessory, then device versatility and functionality are improved, but pairing time and operational complexity multiply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the pairing effort of multiple terminals into a single pairing operation performed by the first terminal. Instead of each terminal independently performing the pairing process with the accessory (which would multiply the time and complexity), the connection information obtained by the first terminal is merged and shared with all subsequent terminals. This allows multiple terminals to connect to the same accessory simultaneously or sequentially without repeating the pairing process, significantly reducing the total time and operational complexity while maintaining multi-terminal versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method operative in a portable terminal, for connecting with a Bluetooth or other short range protocol device are disclosed. The portable terminal searches for the presence of accessories such as a headset or printer within a short range. The terminal pairs with at least one discovered accessory in a pairing process and acquires and stores connection information associated with each paired accessory in the pairing process. The connection information includes at least one of a Bluetooth address, a WiFi address, a security key, and function information for the paired accessory. The connection information is then shared with at least one peer terminal to facilitate subsequent pairing between the at least one peer terminal and the accessory.