Device Community Formation via Synchronized Sensor Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication networks face challenges in selectively forming communities of devices for users, leading to overwhelming interactions with undesired devices, as current methods lack criteria for selecting devices based on proximity and user preferences.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that determine candidate devices within proximity through synchronized sensor data capture, using audio and video recordings, brightness sensors, and other sensors to form communities based on shared characteristics and familiarity, enabling users to selectively communicate with devices that match their preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If devices are detected within the communication network, then device detection capability is improved, but the number of detected devices increases beyond desired devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice detection accuracyVSAvoidnumber of detected devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the device detection process into multiple stages: initial proximity detection identifies candidate devices, synchronized sensor data capture filters these candidates, and community formation finalizes the selection. This segmentation allows the system to start with broad detection and progressively narrow down to only relevant devices, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and device quantity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by capturing sensor data (audio, video, brightness) specifically at locations where devices are detected, rather than analyzing all devices uniformly. The system captures data in the immediate physical environment of detected devices and uses this localized information to determine community membership, thereby improving detection relevance while reducing the number of irrelevant devices processed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If synchronized sensor data capture is performed, then device selection based on proximity and characteristics is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice selection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sensor types (audio sensors, video cameras, brightness sensors) into a unified synchronized capture system that operates simultaneously across multiple devices. By combining these sensors and synchronizing their operation, the system achieves more accurate device selection without proportionally increasing complexity, as the sensors work together as an integrated system rather than separate complex subsystems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically capturing, processing, and analyzing sensor data without requiring external intervention. The devices autonomously execute the synchronized capture, process their own sensor information, and determine community membership independently, reducing the need for complex external management systems while maintaining high selection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If communities are formed based on synchronized capture, then user experience is improved, but processing time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by capturing sensor data in advance during synchronized moments when devices are detected, rather than continuously processing data. The system prepares and analyzes sensor information (audio fingerprints, video frames, brightness levels) at specific synchronized time points, which reduces overall processing time while still providing comprehensive data for accurate community formation and improved user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2647225B1Method and apparatus for selecting devices to form a community
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2647225B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2647225B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2647225B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An approach is provided for selecting devices to form a community. A network manager determines one or more candidate devices within proximity of at least one device. Next, the network manager determines to initiate at least one synchronized capture of sensor data by the at least one device and at least one of the one or more candidate devices. Then, the network manager determines to form the community based, at least in part, on the at least one synchronized capture.