Human Body Communication Wearable Intermediary for Device Pairing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems require users to physically move and position devices close to each other for NFC communication, which can be burdensome, especially with inconveniently sized or weighted devices, and may fail due to inaccurate antenna alignment.

Innovation Solution

A communication system using human body communication to transmit setting information between devices, allowing them to establish communication without physical proximity, using a wearable device to intermediates the communication between other devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If NFC communication is used to transmit authentication information, then communication establishment convenience is improved, but user burden increases due to need for physical proximity and device movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication establishment convenienceVSAvoiduser burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wearable device as an intermediary that stores authentication information and transmits it via human body communication. This mediator eliminates the need for users to physically move communication devices close together, as the wearable device can be worn on the body and automatically establish communication through body contact, thus reducing user burden while maintaining communication convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical NFC communication system (requiring physical proximity and precise alignment) with human body communication that utilizes the human body as a transmission medium. This substitution eliminates the need for precise antenna alignment and physical device movement, reducing user burden while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If NFC communication is used, then authentication information transmission is achieved, but communication reliability decreases due to inaccurate antenna alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication establishment reliabilityVSAvoidantenna alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable device acts as an intermediary that handles authentication information transmission through human body communication. This approach bypasses the need for precise antenna alignment between communication devices, as the human body serves as the transmission medium, thereby improving communication reliability without requiring high manufacturing precision for antenna alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical NFC antenna alignment system with human body communication. By using the human body as the transmission medium instead of requiring precise alignment of communication device antennas, the system achieves more reliable communication establishment that is not dependent on manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach reduces user burden and maintains convenience during communication setup by enabling communication between devices without the need for physical alignment or movement, improving the reliability of communication establishment.

Implementation Method 1

a communication unit that communicates with a first communication device or a second communication device by using human body communication

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHuman body communication: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10090935B2Communication device, communication method, and communication system

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A communication device includes a communication unit that communicates with a first communication device or a second communication device by using human body communication, with regard to setting information for establishing communication between the first communication device and the second communication device. A communication device includes a communication unit that communicates with a third communication device by using human body communication with regard to setting information for establishing communication with a second communication device, and establishes communication with the second communication device based on the setting information. A communication device includes a communication unit that communicates with a third communication device by using human body communication with regard to setting information for establishing communication with a first communication device, and establishes communication with the first communication device based on the setting information.