Communication Apparatus Two-Way Data Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face inefficiencies where the target communication apparatus cannot send data to the initiator at arbitrary timings without a notification request, leading to wasted time and resource usage for flag checking and storage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where the target communication apparatus sends data in response to repeated read requests from the initiator, allowing two-way communication synchronization with data generation timings, using NFC protocol for short-range wireless communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the target apparatus stores flag information to indicate data readiness, then the initiator can detect when data is available, but time is wasted for the initiator to confirm the presence of the flag and then send the communication request, and extra resources are used for storing and checking the flag information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availability detectionVSAvoidflag checking time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the flag checking mechanism from the communication protocol and replaces it with a push-based notification system. The target apparatus directly notifies the initiator when data is ready, removing the need for the initiator to continuously check flags, thereby eliminating the time waste associated with flag polling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The target apparatus performs preliminary action by proactively notifying the initiator before the initiator would have completed its flag checking cycle. This advance notification allows the initiator to prepare for data reception immediately, eliminating the delay between data readiness and the initiator's discovery of this fact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the target apparatus stores flag information to indicate data readiness, then the initiator can detect when data is available, but extra resources are used for storing the flag information and checking the flag information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availability detectionVSAvoidflag storage and checking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the flag storage and checking mechanism entirely, replacing it with a direct notification approach. The target apparatus notifies the initiator of data readiness through the existing communication channel, eliminating the need for separate flag storage and checking infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the communication channel multi-functional by using it both for data transmission and for notifying data readiness. This eliminates the need for separate flag storage mechanisms, as the same communication infrastructure serves dual purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If passive communication is performed where only the initiator can make communication requests, then the initiator can send data to the target at arbitrary timing, but the target cannot send data to the initiator until it receives a communication request

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitiator data transmissionVSAvoidtarget data transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional passive communication model by allowing the target apparatus to actively notify the initiator of data readiness. This reversal enables the target to control the timing of data transmission initiation, breaking the dependency on the initiator's request timing and allowing the target to send data at its own arbitrary timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the target apparatus provides information to the initiator about its data readiness status. This feedback loop enables the initiator to know when the target has data ready, allowing the initiator to send requests at the optimal moment, thereby improving the target's ability to transmit data efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2490194B1Communication apparatuses, communication system, communication method and computer program
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP2490194B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2490194B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2490194B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A communication apparatus includes: a data generating unit that generates write data to be sent to any other communication apparatus at an arbitrary timing; a communication unit that repeatedly sends a read request to the other communication apparatus until the write data is generated and, at the same time, repeatedly receives a read response sent from the other communication apparatus in response to the read request; and a data acquisition unit that acquires read data, which is sent along with the read response by the other communication apparatus, when the read data is generated at an arbitrary timing by the other communication apparatus.