Camera-Based IoT Device Pairing Without Manual Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In IoT environments, establishing connections between smart devices is cumbersome, especially for devices without input/output accessories or small displays, requiring manual search and selection, which is inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus using a device with a camera to capture and recognize the type of a target device, acquire its device list from an IoT server, and automatically establish a connection by identifying and negotiating protocols, minimizing user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual search and selection method is used to establish device connection, then connection accuracy is improved, but operation convenience deteriorates and connection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection accuracyVSAvoidoperation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic device recognition and connection establishment without requiring manual user intervention. The camera captures device images, the recognition unit identifies device types, and the connection unit automatically establishes connections, making the system serve itself rather than requiring user guidance through manual search and selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual selection process with an automated optical recognition system. Instead of users physically searching through device lists and clicking on targets, the system uses camera imaging and image processing to automatically identify and select devices, substituting manual mechanical operations with automated optical and computational processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If manual search and selection method is used to establish device connection, then connection accuracy is improved, but connection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection accuracyVSAvoidconnection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing device images and recognizing device types before the actual connection establishment. The camera continuously captures images of devices in the environment, and the recognition unit pre-identifies device types, so that when connection is needed, the system already has the information required to quickly establish connections without time-consuming manual search.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The camera and recognition unit operate continuously to monitor and identify devices in the environment. The useful action of device recognition continues without interruption, maintaining a ready state where device information is constantly updated and available for immediate connection establishment, eliminating the discontinuous manual search process that causes time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If device has no display screen or small display screen, then device simplicity is improved, but connection capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidconnection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of the camera, recognition unit, and connection unit that acts as a mediator between the simple device and the connection process. This intermediary handles all the complex tasks of device identification and connection establishment, allowing devices without displays or with simple displays to maintain their simplicity while gaining full connection capability through the mediating system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3808097B1Method and apparatus for establishing device connection
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3808097B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3808097B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3808097B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method and apparatus for establishing a device connection applied to a first device with a camera are provided. The method includes acquiring an image of a second device by the first device through the camera, recognizing the type of the second device through the acquired image of the second device, acquiring a device list corresponding to the type of the second device through an IoT server, and identifying the second device in the device list, acquiring a unique identifier of the second device in the current IoT environment, and using the unique identifier of the second device to initiate a connection request to the second device to establish a connection with the second device. The method may automatically establish a connection between devices with less operation of the devices.