Fixed Display System Automatic Device Association

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies for interacting with fixed display systems in retail environments are cumbersome, requiring laborious steps for user authentication and data transfer, and lack a mechanism for personalized sessions without inputting personal information.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses sensors on both the display system and communication device to detect and match predefined events, such as patterns or signals, to initiate a communication session without requiring users to remember or enter passwords, allowing for personalized interactions without transferring personal data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If Bluetooth pairing is used for device association, then wireless communication functionality is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and laborious for users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser effort for device associationVSAvoidtime for pairing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having the display device continuously broadcast its identification information and by having the mobile device continuously scan for such broadcasts before association is needed. This eliminates the need for users to manually initiate pairing at the moment of interaction, as both devices are already prepared to associate immediately when brought into proximity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The association process is made self-service by automatically matching the mobile device with the display device based on their respective transmitted and received identification information without requiring user intervention. The system autonomously completes the pairing process by comparing device identifiers and establishing connection, freeing users from manual pairing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual code entry is required for association, then secure identification is achieved, but the process becomes complicated and unfamiliar for users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice identification accuracyVSAvoiduser familiarity with association process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical system of manual code entry and keyboard input is replaced with an automated electronic identification and matching system. The display device broadcasts its identification electronically, the mobile device receives and processes this information automatically, and the association is established through electronic comparison of device identifiers without any physical typing or manual code entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If barcode scanning is used for device association, then visual identification is achieved, but the process requires precise aiming and successful scanning which adds complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice identification accuracyVSAvoidassociation process steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex barcode scanning process is extracted and replaced by a simpler continuous broadcast mechanism. Instead of requiring the mobile device to actively scan and capture a barcode image with precise aiming, the display device continuously broadcasts its identification information in the air, allowing the mobile device to passively receive it without complex scanning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Extent of automation

If accelerometers are used for smartphone association, then automatic detection is achieved, but the technique does not work with fixed displays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic device detectionVSAvoidcompatibility with fixed displays

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves universality by using a broadcast-based identification mechanism that works equally well with both mobile devices and fixed displays. Unlike accelerometer-based solutions that rely on motion detection specific to handheld devices, this system uses continuous identification broadcasting that is equally effective for fixed displays and mobile devices, making the association process universally applicable across different device types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8754863B2Fixed display system interaction with a communication device

Publication Date: 2014.06.17 SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A fixed display system that can interact with a communication device includes a display system including a fixed display operable to display information. A sensor is operable to provide a first signature upon an occurrence of a predetermined event, and the communication device is also operable to provide a second signature upon the occurrence of the same predetermined event. A processor compares the first and second signatures and determines whether these first and second signatures describe the same predetermined event, whereupon the processor initiates a communication session between the display system and the communication device. In addition, personal information of the user on the communication device may be used locally or partially/fully transferred to the display system to provide a personalized interactive experience for the user.