Companion Device Authentication Management for Multi-Device Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience when connecting multiple portable electronic devices to a computer, as each device requires separate authentication and support for various connection methods, leading to complex and time-consuming processes.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device is configured with a communication unit and processor to request and store companion device authentication information from external devices, allowing for automatic registration and management of companion devices, enabling seamless connection and management of multiple devices as a group.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate authentication and connection procedures are performed for each portable electronic device, then connection reliability is ensured, but operation complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing authentication relationships between portable devices through a companion device. The authentication information is obtained in advance and stored, so that when connecting to a computer, the devices can leverage this pre-established trust relationship rather than performing separate authentications. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining connection reliability through pre-verified authentication while reducing operational complexity during actual connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple authentication operations into a single unified process. Instead of requiring separate authentication for each device-computer connection, the system combines authentication into one initial step between portable devices, then uses this combined authentication result for subsequent connections. This merging approach maintains security reliability while significantly reducing the number of separate authentication steps users must perform.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connection methods and authentication methods are supported for various portable electronic devices, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a companion device as an intermediary that manages multiple connection and authentication methods. Rather than requiring the computer to directly support all connection methods and authentication protocols of various portable devices, the companion device acts as a mediator that handles these diverse protocols and translates them into a unified interface. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high adaptability across different device types while reducing the complexity burden on the computer system.
Solution Approach 2:
The companion device serves multiple functions: it acts as an authentication intermediary, a connection manager, and a trust relationship coordinator. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single device, the system achieves universal compatibility with various portable electronic devices without requiring the computer to implement complex support for each device type individually. This multi-functionality approach maintains adaptability while reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for managing a companion device, and an electronic device using the same, the electronic device comprising: a communication unit for connecting a communication channel with at least one first external electronic device; and at least one processor functionally connected with the communication unit, wherein the at least one processor requests, from the at least one first external electronic device, information (companion device authentication information) necessary for registering the at least one first external electronic device as a companion device of a second external electronic device, in response to the connection with the at least one first external electronic device, receives and stores the companion device authentication information, registers the electronic device as a companion device of the second external electronic device when the electronic device is connected with the second external electronic device, and transmits the stored companion device authentication information to the second external electronic device such that the at least one first external electronic device is registered as a companion device of the second external electronic device. Other various embodiments are possible.