Coordinated Peripheral Pairing With Single-Action Set Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current peripheral device pairing methods require multiple user interactions to connect all members of a coordinated set, leading to user confusion and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A pairing service communicates with a cloud-based catalog to determine if a discovered peripheral device is part of a coordinated set, allowing a multi-member connect option to be presented, enabling connection of all or a subset of set members with a single user interaction, and providing product-specific cues to reduce confusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current peripheral device pairing methods are used, then each set member can be connected individually, but multiple user interactions are required leading to user confusion and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual connect options for set members into a single multi-member connect option. When the pairing service detects that discovered peripheral devices belong to the same coordinated set (using product identifiers and cloud catalog verification), it combines their connect options into one unified option. Selecting this single option automatically initiates pairing for all set members, eliminating the need for multiple separate user interactions and reducing both operational complexity and time required.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connect options are presented for coordinated set members, then all members can be connected, but user confusion increases due to multiple interactions required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic behavior in the connect option presentation based on device set membership detection. The pairing service dynamically determines whether to present individual connect options or a consolidated multi-member connect option by checking if discovered devices share the same product identifier and verifying set membership through the cloud catalog. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain full connection capability for coordinated sets while simplifying the user interface to a single option, thereby resolving the contradiction between versatility and ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If peripheral device details are obtained from cloud-based catalog, then accurate set member identification is possible, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-organizing peripheral device information in a cloud-based catalog before the pairing process begins. Product identifiers are stored and verified in advance, allowing the pairing service to quickly determine set membership relationships without complex real-time analysis. This preliminary preparation enables accurate device identification while actually simplifying the pairing process, as the service only needs to perform a straightforward catalog lookup rather than complex device analysis during pairing.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing coordinated set peripheral device pairing and connection management. Pairing a peripheral device to a host device typically involves presenting an option to a user to consent to connecting a discovered device to the host device. In examples, prior to presenting a connect option, a pairing service obtains product-specific details about the discovered peripheral device and determines whether the device is part of a coordinated set. The details are collected and stored in a local and/or cloud catalog from host devices and/or an original equipment manufacturer of the peripheral device. When the discovered device is determined as a coordinated set, various user interface elements, including a multi-member connect option, are presented to the user. Selection of the multi-member connect option provides consent from the user to connect to all or a subset of the set members via a single user interaction.