Conversion Unit for Cross-Platform Wireless Data Bridging

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Solution Overview

Problem

In crowded events or busy places, existing WLAN infrastructure is often overloaded, making it difficult for mobile devices to exchange data, especially when they use different operating systems or transmission methods that are not compatible, and relying on internet connections can be unreliable due to overloading and security concerns.

Innovation Solution

A method using a conversion unit that supports multiple wireless transmission methods, such as Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi Direct or Multipeer Connectivity Framework, to establish a direct connection between devices, allowing data to be transmitted quickly and securely without the need for infrastructure components, by using Bluetooth Low Energy for initial identification and metadata exchange, and switching to faster methods like Wi-Fi Direct or Multipeer Connectivity Framework for data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If devices use different transmission methods (e.g., Wi-Fi Direct vs. Multipeer Connectivity Framework), then platform compatibility is improved, but direct high-speed data transmission is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform compatibilityVSAvoiddata transmission rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a conversion unit that acts as an intermediary between devices using incompatible transmission methods. The conversion unit receives data from one device via its supported method (e.g., Wi-Fi Direct) and forwards it to the other device using a different method (e.g., Multipeer Connectivity Framework), enabling cross-platform communication while maintaining high transmission speeds through the use of second transmission methods for actual data transfer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If infrastructure components (WLAN access points, mobile radio base stations) are used, then data transmission coverage is improved, but system complexity and infrastructure dependency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission coverageVSAvoidinfrastructure requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of infrastructure components (access points, base stations) and replaces it with a peer-to-peer communication system. Devices communicate directly with each other using short-range wireless transmission methods, eliminating the need for external infrastructure components while maintaining transmission capability within direct communication range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If internet connection is used for data exchange, then cross-platform compatibility is improved, but security concerns and reliability issues arise in crowded environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-platform compatibilityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion unit serves as a local intermediary that enables direct peer-to-peer data transmission between devices without requiring internet connection. By using this intermediate device to bridge incompatible transmission methods, the system achieves cross-platform compatibility through local communication rather than remote internet-based communication, thereby improving reliability and security in crowded environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3219126B1Method for transmitting data between two subscribers
Publication Date: 2018.07.25 MAKAIO
  • EP3219126B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3219126B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for transmitting data between a first subscriber (22) and a second subscriber (24) by using at least one conversion unit (10), wherein the first subscriber (22), the second subscriber (24) and the conversion unit (10) are each set up for wireless data transmission at short range using a first transmission method and a second transmission method. The second transmission method has multiple variants, wherein the first subscriber (22) and the second subscriber (24) are each set up only to carry out such variants as are incompatible with one another. In a first step, the conversion unit (10) transmits an identifier by using the first transmission method. This identifier of the conversion unit (10) is received by the subscribers (22, 24) by using the first transmission method. In addition, a direct wireless link is set up between the subscriber (22) and the subscriber (24) by using the first transmission method, wherein identifications of the subscribers (22, 24) and/or the identifier of the conversion unit (10) are interchanged.