Bluetooth Virtual Serial Port Driver for Rapid Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bluetooth devices require a time-consuming scan-associate process to establish communication, and existing systems lack user configurability and the ability to remain non-discoverable during this process, which is undesirable in public spaces.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow Bluetooth communications without a scan-associate process at the time of communication, enabling user configuration of devices and limiting the number of open serial ports, using a virtual Outgoing Port Driver to create and manage virtual serial ports for seamless device switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a scan-associate process is performed to establish Bluetooth communication, then device presence can be detected and communication can be initiated, but the process is time-consuming (up to a couple of minutes)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the scan-associate process in advance during system initialization or configuration phase, creating a pre-established list of available Bluetooth devices. This preliminary action stores device presence information before actual communication is needed, eliminating the need to perform scanning at the moment of communication initiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and separates the time-consuming scan-associate process from the communication initiation flow. By performing scanning independently in advance and storing results in a reusable device list, the actual communication can start immediately without waiting for the scanning process to complete.
2Productivity
If automatic scan-associate process is performed periodically to determine available devices, then a list of possible devices is created, but the list is not configurable by the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the device list dynamic and configurable by allowing users to add, remove, and modify devices in the pre-established list. The system adapts to user preferences and requirements, enabling customization of which devices appear in the available devices list rather than using a fixed automatic scanning approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements user feedback mechanisms where users can interact with the device list, providing input about which devices should be available for communication. This feedback loop allows the system to adjust and configure the device list according to actual user needs and preferences.
3Ease of operation
If Bluetooth functionality is made visible during scan-associate process, then devices can be discovered by other Bluetooth enabled devices, but the system becomes discoverable in public spaces which is undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs device discovery and scanning in advance during a controlled configuration phase rather than continuously during operation. This allows the system to establish device presence information beforehand without maintaining continuous discoverability, reducing privacy exposure in public spaces while still enabling communication with pre-identified devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different discoverability settings to different operational contexts. During configuration phase, the system is discoverable to allow device selection. During actual communication operations, the system maintains non-discoverable status, applying the appropriate quality (discoverability) only where and when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system that provides for Bluetooth communications from a first Bluetooth enabled device to a second Bluetooth enabled device is provided, The system comprising a Bluetooth manager that provides a graphical user interface, an Outgoing Port Driver that shares configurational information with and is started by the Bluetooth manager, a first serial port that receives data from an application operating on the first device, the first serial port acting as a virtual serial port where the first serial port is not connected to communications hardware, a second serial port that is connected to communications hardware, the second serial port acting as an outgoing port, and a Bluetooth stack that receives data to be communicated from the second serial port, wherein the Outgoing Port Driver directs the data from the first serial port to the second serial port via the Outgoing Port Driver.