Cloud Messaging for Wearable and Smartphone Data Sync
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems between accessory devices, such as smart watches, and companion devices, like smartphones, face challenges in communicating when they are physically separated and not connected to a common infrastructure, limiting their ability to share information synchronously.
Innovation Solution
Implementing cloud-based messaging that allows companion devices and accessory devices to communicate through a cloud server, using multiple communication mechanisms such as direct connections, common infrastructure connections, and cloud pipes, enabling message routing even when direct or infrastructure connections are unavailable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If direct connection or common infrastructure connection is used for communication between accessory device and companion device, then communication speed and synchronization are improved, but communication reliability deteriorates when devices are physically separated or infrastructure is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud server as an intermediary mediator between the accessory device and companion device. When direct connection or common infrastructure connection is unavailable, messages are routed through the cloud server, ensuring communication reliability is maintained even when devices are physically separated. The system dynamically selects between direct path (for speed) and cloud-mediated path (for reliability) based on connection availability.
2Reliability
If cloud-based messaging is implemented to enable communication when devices are physically separated, then communication reliability and flexibility are improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple communication mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by enabling the communication system to automatically switch between different communication paths (direct connection, common infrastructure connection, and cloud-based connection) based on real-time connection availability. This dynamic path selection reduces the perceived complexity for users while maintaining reliability, as the system autonomously manages the complexity of multiple communication mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory device and companion device are designed with multi-functionality to support multiple communication mechanisms (direct Bluetooth connection, Wi-Fi infrastructure connection, and cloud-based HTTP/HTTPS connection). This universal design allows the same devices to operate in different communication modes depending on environmental conditions, reducing the need for specialized hardware for each communication scenario.
3Productivity
If multiple communication pipes are used for message routing, then message delivery flexibility and promptness are improved, but message routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing multiple communication pipes (direct connection pipe, common infrastructure connection pipe, and cloud-based connection pipe) and maintaining their availability. When a message needs to be sent, the system can quickly select from the pre-prepared communication paths without needing to establish connections at the moment of message transmission, thereby improving delivery promptness while managing routing complexity through advance preparation.
Data Source
AI summary
A companion device (e.g., smart phone) and an accessory device (e.g., wearable device) may be configured to communicate messages to each other to flexibly share information, such as emails, text messages, calendar notifications, and media library items. This communication may occur through a direct connection (e.g., Bluetooth) and when the devices are connected to a common Wi-Fi access point. When these direct and common infrastructure connections are not available, the devices may communicate messages between them using a cloud server. This cloud server message communication may advantageously enable the companion device and the accessory device to share messages even when they are physically distant from each other.