Automatic Device Naming via Contact List Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for remotely managing electronic devices face challenges in identifying and naming devices without a pre-existing device name field, requiring manual entry or identification numbers.
Innovation Solution
An application program automatically discovers a descriptive name for an electronic device by searching for user-related data points like phone numbers or email addresses, matching them with contacts lists, and transmitting the associated name to a management system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a device name field is not present in the electronic device, then the device structure remains simple and data storage requirements are minimized, but manual entry or identification numbers are required for device identification
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically retrieves device names by matching device identifiers (phone numbers, email addresses) with contact list entries without requiring manual user input. The device self-services the naming function by utilizing existing contact information already stored in the device or accessible via synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary process that bridges the gap between device identification and meaningful naming. The system uses contact list entries as intermediaries to translate device identifiers into human-readable names, eliminating the need for direct manual naming while maintaining simple device structure.
2Loss of information
If manual device naming is implemented, then meaningful device names can be assigned, but user time and effort are consumed for name entry
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically retrieving and storing device names from contact lists before remote management operations begin. Contact information is pre-synchronized and prepared, so when device naming is needed, the work is already done and no user time is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic device naming system performs the naming function without user intervention by querying contact lists and extracting relevant information. This self-service approach eliminates the time users would otherwise spend manually entering device names while ensuring meaningful names are assigned.
3Productivity
If identification numbers are used for device selection, then device management can proceed without meaningful names, but manager efficiency is reduced due to difficulty in identifying specific devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces meaningful device names as intermediaries between identification numbers and device management operations. Instead of directly using opaque identification numbers, the system retrieves and displays human-readable names from contact lists, making device identification clearer while maintaining the underlying identification number system for precise selection.
Data Source
AI summary
Electronic devices without device names are provided with an application for retrieving a data point from the device from which a name can be deduced. A match for the data point is searched for in the contacts list in the device, and when found, the name corresponding to the contact entry, in which the data point has been found, is used to derive the device name. The derived device name (or information from which the device name may be derived) may be transmitted to a remote server which may be used for managing multiple such devices.