Mobile Device Peripheral Detection via Short-Range Wireless

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices require manual intervention to configure settings for different environments, which is inefficient and time-consuming, as users need to manually adjust settings each time they move to a new location, such as from a bedside dock to a vehicle dock or office dock.

Innovation Solution

Implementing short-range wireless communication technology, like NFC, that allows mobile devices to detect unique identifiers on peripheral devices, such as docks, and automatically adjust application settings based on detected tags, eliminating the need for manual configuration by processing data payloads and executing configuration operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual configuration is used to adjust settings for different environments, then users can control device settings, but user productivity decreases and time is lost due to repeated manual adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser productivityVSAvoidmanual configuration requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic configuration by having the mobile device self-identify its environment through detection of unique identifiers on peripheral devices and automatically apply appropriate settings without requiring user intervention. The device serves itself by autonomously determining configuration operations based on detected environment tags.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from environment detection (reading unique identifiers from peripheral devices or tags) to automatically adjust device settings. The detection of environmental context triggers automatic configuration operations, creating a closed-loop system where environmental feedback drives automated adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Extent of automation

If automatic environment detection is implemented using short-range wireless communication, then configuration automation increases, but device complexity increases due to additional communication hardware and protocols

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration automationVSAvoidcommunication hardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs universal short-range wireless communication protocols (such as NFC or Bluetooth) that can serve multiple functions including environment detection, device pairing, and data exchange. This multi-functional approach allows a single communication subsystem to handle various automation tasks, reducing overall system complexity despite the added automation capabilities.

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

3Loss of time

If manual setting adjustments are required for each environment, then device settings can be precisely controlled, but time is lost due to repeated configuration operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration timeVSAvoidmanual intervention requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration by pre-defining environment-specific settings and automatically applying them when environments are detected. Configuration profiles are prepared in advance for different environments (bedside dock, vehicle dock, office dock), and the system retrieves and applies the appropriate pre-configured settings automatically, eliminating the need for real-time manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Automates the configuration of mobile devices according to their environment, increasing user productivity by eliminating the need for manual intervention and allowing seamless transitions between different usage scenarios without user input.

Implementation Method 1

communication implemented via radio frequency signal transmission over a short distance between a communication device and a receiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio frequency signal transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2659658B1Peripheral device detection with short-range communication
Publication Date: 2017.05.31 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP2659658B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2659658B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2659658B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In general, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to techniques for configuring a mobile device according to detection of one or more peripheral devices in an environment using short-range wireless communication. In one example, a method includes, receiving, by a computing device that communicates with a peripheral device using short-range wireless communication, a unique identifier of the peripheral device. If the computing device recognizes the unique identifier of the peripheral device, the computing device may determine a configuration operation based on the unique identifier that changes a current operating state of at least one application executing on the computing device to a different operating state. If the computing device does not recognize the unique identifier of the peripheral device, the computing device may send a lookup request to a network resource external to the computing device that requests data specifying the configuration operation for the computing device.