Mobile Device Pairing via Physical Contact and Sensor Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile device technologies lack efficient methods for securely and easily communicating relevant customer information between devices, such as shopping lists and offers, at the point of sale or retail locations, using integrated accelerometers and GPS for physical interaction confirmation.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing accelerometers and GPS in mobile devices and information access devices to generate interaction data, confirming physical contact, and initiating communication between devices for data transfer, including customer-provided and merchant-provided information, through a remote server computer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical contact between devices is used to initiate communication, then security and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity increases due to integration of sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects physical contact through accelerometer sensors and initiates communication protocols without requiring manual user input. The devices self-verify the interaction through sensor data analysis and automatically establish data transfer channels, eliminating the need for users to manually configure connection settings or authenticate contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact interfaces (such as physical connectors or buttons) with inertial sensors that detect contact through acceleration changes. This substitution allows contactless initiation of communication while maintaining security, as the sensor detects the mechanical impact of contact without requiring physical connection points.
2Reliability
If accelerometer and GPS data are processed to confirm physical interaction, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but loss of time increases due to data verification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously collects and pre-processes accelerometer and GPS data in the background before contact occurs. When physical interaction is detected, the verification process can immediately compare pre-prepared sensor data with contact event data, significantly reducing the time required for interaction confirmation while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs selective verification of sensor data based on the specific context of the interaction. Rather than verifying all possible data points, the system focuses on the most relevant parameters (such as acceleration magnitude and direction, combined with location data) to confirm contact, reducing verification time while maintaining sufficient reliability for the application.
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 secure and efficient communication of customer information and offers, enhancing customer service by allowing real-time interaction and data transfer between mobile devices and merchant terminals, facilitating targeted promotions and transactions.
Implementation Method 1
A first device with an accelerometer physically contacts the second device. Each of the first and second devices generates interaction data (e.g., accelerometer, location, time data, etc.) representative of the physical interaction between the first and second device.
Data Source
AI summary
A server computer determines, based on interaction data, that the first device and the second device are to be paired with each other. After pairing the first device and the second device, communications may be initiated between the devices. Communications may include customer-provided information (e.g., shopping lists) and merchant-provided information (e.g., items in stock or on sale from the consumer's shopping list).