Host Device Topology Control for Surrounding Devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack an effective method for dynamically controlling and configuring topologies of surrounding devices based on a host device's context, leading to inefficient device interactions and user experiences in smart environments.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a host device scans and selects surrounding devices based on context, defines topologies, and controls them using communication methods like NFC, BLE, and Wi-Fi, allowing for dynamic reconfiguration and firmware updates, enabling seamless integration and operation of devices in various scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If devices are connected according to various topologies to provide multiple functions, then functionality and versatility are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of control increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically discovers surrounding devices, determines their roles (main or sub), and configures topology relationships without user intervention. The host device autonomously manages device pairing, connection establishment, and control permission assignment, eliminating manual configuration complexity while maintaining versatile device connectivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The topology structure dynamically adapts based on device context and usage scenarios. Devices can transition between different roles and connection states, allowing the system to optimize its configuration in real-time based on operational needs, thereby maintaining functionality while managing complexity through adaptive reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If surrounding devices are automatically selected and connected based on context, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability and precision of device selection may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic device selectionVSAvoiddevice selection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors device status, connection quality, and operational performance to validate automatic selections. Feedback loops ensure that automatically selected devices are indeed appropriate for the current context, allowing the system to correct selection errors and maintain both ease of operation and selection precision through iterative optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Devices perform preliminary self-assessment and capability declaration before being selected into the topology. Surrounding devices pre-register their functions, supported protocols, and operational requirements, enabling the host device to make informed automatic selections that balance ease of operation with selection accuracy by matching device capabilities to contextual needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2744153B1System and method of controlling surrounding devices, based on topology
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2744153B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2744153B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2744153B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method of controlling surrounding devices, based on a topology are provided. The method of controlling sub surrounding devices, which is performed by a main surrounding device, includes receiving a plurality of pieces of surrounding device information about the sub surrounding devices from a host device; receiving context information about a context of the host device from the host device; obtaining topology setting information about topology configuration standards; determining a sub surrounding device to be comprised in a topology from among the sub surrounding devices, based on the context information and the topology setting information; connecting the main surrounding device with the host device and the sub surrounding device; and controlling the sub surrounding device, based on control information received from the host device.