Mobile Device Proxying for Unregistered Wearable Messaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable devices, such as smart watches, have limited wireless communication capabilities and often rely on wired interfaces or short-range technologies, making them unable to communicate effectively without a companion device as a proxy, especially when they have not registered for services or are unable to access networks due to power limitations or poor reception.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device, like a smartphone, acts as a communication proxy for wearable devices, enabling them to provide proxy communication services, including message forwarding and registration, even when the wearable device is unregistered or unable to communicate directly, by leveraging its internet connection and registration capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wearable devices use wired interfaces or short-range point-to-point technologies for communication, then they can maintain simpler device structure and lower power consumption, but they lose the ability to communicate effectively without a companion device as a proxy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidwireless communication capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a proxy device (companion device) that acts as an intermediary between the wearable device and the network. The proxy device receives messages intended for the wearable device and forwards them when the wearable device is unavailable or unable to communicate directly, thereby resolving the contradiction by enabling reliable communication without requiring the wearable device to have full wireless communication capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If wearable devices register directly for communication services, then they can access networks independently, but they require larger batteries and more power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent network accessVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The proxy device serves as a mediator that handles network registration and communication on behalf of the wearable device. The wearable device can remain unregistered or use minimal registration while the proxy device manages the communication services, allowing the wearable device to access networks independently through the proxy without requiring large batteries or high power consumption for direct network access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If wearable devices have limited wireless communication capabilities, then they can reduce device complexity and power consumption, but they become unable to communicate effectively when unable to access networks due to power limitations or poor reception

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoidcommunication effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements beforehand cushioning by having the proxy device store messages and communication data in advance. When the wearable device is unable to communicate due to power limitations or poor reception, the proxy device already has the necessary information queued and ready to forward, ensuring communication effectiveness is maintained despite the wearable device's limited capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP3254525B1Proxying for communicating messages with an unregistered accessory device
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 APPLE INC
  • EP3254525B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3254525B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3254525B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Some embodiments relate to a mobile device, such as a smart phone, and associated method for enabling the mobile device to act as a communication proxy for an accessory device, such as a smart watch. The mobile device may be capable of providing proxy communication services for messages received from / provided to the accessory device even when the accessory device has not properly registered for the respective message service.