Electronic Device Antenna Phase Difference IoT Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing IoT devices face difficulties in intuitive control due to cumbersome processes and challenges in identifying and connecting multiple devices, making it hard for users to select the desired device for control.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device equipped with multiple antennas to determine external devices based on phase difference and signal strength, allowing for communication connection and providing a user interface for selecting and controlling the devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple IoT devices are connected to the network, then the system can provide more services and control more devices, but the process of connecting and identifying devices becomes cumbersome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice capabilityVSAvoidconnection process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic device automatically determines the external device to be controlled by itself based on phase difference and signal strength measurements from multiple antennas, without requiring manual selection or complex user interaction. The system performs self-service in device identification and connection establishment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic device pre-acquires signals from multiple external devices before control is needed, storing signal strength and phase difference information in advance. When control is required, the device quickly identifies the target by comparing pre-stored data with current measurements, avoiding time-consuming real-time selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the user manually selects and connects to external devices one by one, then precise device identification is possible, but the control process becomes time-consuming and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice identification accuracyVSAvoidcontrol time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical selection operations with automated electronic determination using signal processing. The electronic device automatically measures phase differences and signal strengths from multiple antennas to identify the external device, substituting manual selection with electronic automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses changes in signal parameters (phase difference and signal strength) measured by multiple antennas to automatically determine the external device. By monitoring these parameter variations, the system quickly identifies the target device without manual intervention, reducing control time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the electronic device uses multiple antennas to determine external devices based on phase difference and signal strength, then device identification becomes more accurate and intuitive, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice determination accuracyVSAvoidantenna system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple antennas serve multiple functions: they simultaneously measure signal strength, determine phase differences, and enable direction finding. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high determination accuracy without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the same hardware components perform multiple measurement tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables intuitive recognition and control of external devices without prior knowledge of their names or services, simplifying the process of providing various services and improving user interaction with multiple IoT devices.

Implementation Method 1

determining the external device indicated by the electronic device based on a phase difference and a signal strength of the signals received using the plurality of antennas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase difference:

Implementation Method 2

determining the external device indicated by the electronic device based on a phase difference and a signal strength of the signals received using the plurality of antennas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal strength:

Data Source

PatentEP3391659B1Electronic device and method for controlling external device thereof
Publication Date: 2023.05.17 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3391659B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3391659B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3391659B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An electronic device and a method for controlling an external device thereof are provided. The method for controlling an external device by an electronic device includes: in response to a trigger input being sensed, determining an external device from among a plurality of external devices that is indicated by the electronic device; providing a user interface (UI) screen of an application corresponding to the external device indicated by the electronic device; and in response to a user command being input through the UI screen of the application, transmitting a control signal corresponding to the user command to the external device indicated by the electronic device.