Expedited Wireless Carrier Handover via Remote SNEP Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handover techniques between wireless carriers, such as from Near Field Communication (NFC) to higher bit rate carriers like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, are incompatible with some mobile devices, leading to communication disruptions due to compatibility issues.

Innovation Solution

An expedited handover method is introduced, utilizing a Simple NDEF Exchange Protocol (SNEP) server to send a Handover Select message, allowing devices to switch from NFC to another wireless carrier even if they cannot read NFC tags or connect to an NFC handover server, ensuring seamless communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional NFC handover techniques are used, then handover compatibility is improved for certified devices, but communication reliability deteriorates for devices with antenna strength limitations or certification issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover compatibilityVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a remote server as an intermediary to facilitate handover. Instead of direct NFC tag reading between devices, the system uses a remote server that receives requests from the first device and sends responses to the second device. This intermediary approach allows devices with antenna limitations or certification issues to perform handover reliably, as the server handles the complex NFC communication protocols and tag reading operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a communication channel through the remote server before the actual handover occurs. The first device sends a request to the server, which prepares the handover information in advance. This preliminary setup ensures that when handover is needed, the communication path is already established, improving reliability for devices that might struggle with direct NFC communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If NFC tag reading is attempted for all devices, then handover speed is improved for devices with strong antennas, but device complexity increases to handle various antenna strength scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover speedVSAvoidhandover process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the handover process into two distinct paths: a fast path for devices with strong antennas that can read NFC tags directly, and a server-assisted path for devices with weaker antennas. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for speed when possible while providing a reliable fallback option, avoiding the need for all devices to implement complex antenna strength detection and adaptive handover logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The remote server acts as an intermediary that simplifies the handover process for devices that cannot perform direct NFC tag reading. By offloading the complex tag reading and interpretation tasks to the server, the device complexity is reduced, as devices only need to implement basic server communication protocols rather than full NFC stack management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If direct device-to-device NFC communication is used, then communication efficiency is improved, but adaptability deteriorates for devices that cannot read NFC tags

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoiddevice compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal handover mechanism that works across different device types and capabilities. The remote server provides a common interface that both NFC-capable devices and NFC-limited devices can use. This multi-functionality ensures that the handover system adapts to various device scenarios while maintaining a consistent user experience and communication efficiency.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The remote server serves as a universal intermediary that enables handover for all device types. By routing handover requests through the server, the system maintains communication efficiency while expanding adaptability to include devices that cannot perform direct NFC tag reading, such as those with weak antennas or lacking NFC certification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3076687B1Method and apparatuses for expedited handover between wireless carriers
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP3076687B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3076687B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3076687B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments are disclosed for handover between wireless carriers in multiple devices. In an example configuration, an in-vehicle computing system of a vehicle includes a first network interface configured to communicate over a first wireless carrier, a second network interface configured to communicate over a second wireless carrier, a processor configured to control communication via the first network and the second network, and a storage device storing instructions executable by the processor to connect to a computing device over the first wireless carrier. The instructions are further executable to send a select message to the computing device via a remote server, the select message identifying the second wireless carrier, receive a confirmation message from the computing device initiating communication over the second wireless carrier, and receive data from the computing device over the second wireless carrier.