Monitoring Device Pairing via Server-Mediated Identifier Retrieval
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring devices without a display screen or speaker cannot pair with user devices, preventing location tracking due to the inability to obtain and convey network-assigned identifiers.
Innovation Solution
A method where a user device obtains a device identifier from the monitoring device, such as through scanning a barcode, and uses it to retrieve the network-assigned identifier from a monitoring server, allowing for communication session establishment without requiring the monitoring device to have a display screen or speaker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If monitoring devices include display screens or speakers to convey network-assigned identifiers, then pairing capability is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary to store and manage the mapping between device identifiers and network-assigned identifiers. The user device communicates with the server to obtain the network-assigned identifier, eliminating the need for the monitoring device to have display or speaker components. This resolves the contradiction by transferring the information conveyance function from the monitoring device to the server.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the function of conveying network-assigned identifiers from the monitoring device itself. Instead of requiring the monitoring device to display or speak the identifier, the system separates this function by allowing the user device to obtain the identifier through alternative means (such as scanning a code on the monitoring device) and then retrieving the network-assigned identifier from the server.
2Loss of time
If monitoring devices pre-allocate and store network-assigned identifiers, then pairing speed is improved, but memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by having the server pre-allocate and store network-assigned identifiers along with their corresponding device identifiers. When pairing is needed, the user device quickly retrieves the network-assigned identifier from the server using the device identifier, avoiding the need for the monitoring device to store this information locally. This resolves the contradiction by moving the storage burden from the monitoring device's limited memory to the server's abundant storage capacity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If monitoring devices have display screens or speakers, then user interaction capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the server a multi-functional component that handles not only the storage of identifier mappings but also the communication and pairing processes. The server serves multiple purposes: storing device information, managing pairing requests, and providing network-assigned identifiers. This eliminates the need for expensive display and speaker components in the monitoring device while maintaining full user interaction capability through the server-mediated process.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may obtain a device identifier from a monitoring device. The device may provide, to a server device, a request for a network-assigned identifier that is associated with the monitoring device. The request may cause the server device to use the device identifier to search a data structure for the network-assigned identifier. The device may receive the network-assigned identifier from the server device. The device may provide a request to establish a communication session with the monitoring device. The request may include the network-assigned identifier of the monitoring device and a network-assigned identifier of the device. The device may receive, after providing the request, an indication that the communication session is established.