Mobile Device Registry for Wearable Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing device-to-device communication systems, particularly those involving wearable devices, are limited by their short-range capabilities and battery consumption, making it difficult for them to connect with devices outside their vicinity and maintain continuous internet connectivity.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device with a device registry system that enables more devices to transmit information to wireless devices capable only of short-range communication by managing profiles and status updates, allowing for extended connectivity and reduced battery consumption through efficient communication protocols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If wearable devices use short-range communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth) to conserve battery, then battery consumption is reduced, but the communication range is limited to nearby devices only

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery consumptionVSAvoidcommunication range
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between wearable devices and distant servers. The mobile device maintains short-range connections with wearable devices (conserving their battery) while establishing long-range connections with servers, effectively extending the communication range without increasing the wearable device's energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates communication dimensions by having wearable devices communicate only with nearby mobile devices (local dimension), while mobile devices handle long-range server communications (remote dimension). This dimensional separation allows wearable devices to operate in low-power mode while still accessing distant resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If wearable devices continuously scan for services to maintain connectivity, then service discovery capability is improved, but battery consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice discovery capabilityVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device performs service discovery and maintains service information in advance on behalf of the wearable device. When the wearable device needs a service, the mobile device has already identified available services, eliminating the need for continuous scanning by the wearable device and reducing its battery consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device takes over the service discovery function from the wearable device, using its own resources to perform scanning and service identification. This allows the wearable device to conserve battery while the mobile device handles the energy-intensive service discovery tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Length of stationary object

If wearable devices communicate directly with servers over long range, then communication range is extended, but battery consumption increases due to preferred short-range communication limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication rangeVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device serves as a mandatory intermediary for all server communications. Wearable devices cannot directly communicate with servers; instead, all data transmission must route through the mobile device, which handles the energy-intensive long-range communication while the wearable device remains in low-power mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication system is segmented into two parts: short-range wearable-to-mobile communication (low power) and long-range mobile-to-server communication (high power). This segmentation ensures that the wearable device only performs low-power operations while the mobile device handles the energy-intensive long-range transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Use of energy by moving object

If device-to-device communication is limited to short range only, then battery consumption is reduced, but connectivity to devices outside direct vicinity is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery consumptionVSAvoidconnectivity range
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device performs multiple functions: it acts as both a wearable device (communicating via Bluetooth) and a general mobile communication device (connecting to cellular networks and Wi-Fi). This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain short-range battery-efficient communication while also providing access to long-range networks through the mobile device's additional capabilities.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3780683B1Apparatus, method and computer program for registering wireless devices and transmitting information
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 KONINK KPN NV
  • EP3780683B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3780683B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3780683B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a system comprising a mobile device (1), a device (13b) for transmitting information, a device (15) hosting a device registry (14) and a wireless device (3a). The mobile device (1) comprises a receiver, a transmitter, storage means and a processor. The processor is configured to use the receiver to determine that a wireless device (3a) has newly connected to the mobile device (1), to store or update a profile corresponding to the wireless device (3a) on the storage means, to use the transmitter to transmit first information to at least one device registry (14), the first information comprising an identifier of the wireless device (3a), to use the receiver to determine that a status of the wireless device (3a) has changed to a new status, to update or remove the profile stored on the storage means if the status of the wireless device (3a) has changed to the new status, and to use the transmitter to transmit second information to the at least one device registry (14) if the status of the new wireless device (3a) has changed to the new status, the second information comprising the identifier of the wireless device (3a) and the new status. The invention further relates to a device (13b) for transmitting information, the methods performed by these devices and one or more computer program products enabling a computer system to perform these methods.