Portable Navigation Device Data Sharing via Event-Synchronized Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Establishing a data connection between portable navigation devices is cumbersome and time-consuming, especially for infrequent or one-off data sharing, as existing methods require significant user interaction and may not function without an internet connection.

Innovation Solution

A method that synchronizes the timing of events between devices using wireless signals, allowing for the establishment of a connection based on the simultaneous occurrence of an event, such as a device being touched or a user input, using identifiers set with the event time to determine a connection window, enabling efficient data sharing without prior device pairing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional device connection methods are used, then reliable data connection is established, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming requiring significant user interaction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connectionVSAvoidconnection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring for proximity events and pre-establishing connection parameters before data sharing is actually needed. When devices are brought into proximity, the system has already prepared connection identifiers and timing windows, enabling immediate connection without user interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connection establishment process is made self-service by automatically detecting proximity events, generating connection identifiers with timing information, and initiating connection requests without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously managing the entire connection lifecycle from detection to establishment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If prior device pairing is required, then connection reliability is improved, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of time-synchronized connection identifiers that act as temporary credentials for connection establishment. These identifiers include timing information that validates the proximity event, providing reliable connection without requiring permanent device pairing or complex authentication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by encoding timing information directly into connection identifiers. This parameter change allows the system to verify connection validity through time-window checking rather than through complex device pairing protocols, maintaining reliability while reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If internet connection is required for data sharing, then data exchange capability is improved, but the adaptability to offline scenarios is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoffline capabilityVSAvoiddata sharing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the data sharing process into two independent parts: connection establishment and actual data transfer. The connection phase works entirely offline using proximity detection and time-synchronized identifiers, while data transfer can occur through various channels including direct peer-to-peer or later synchronization when internet access is available. This segmentation maintains offline capability while preserving data sharing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3018449B1Method of sharing data between electronic devices
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 TOMTOM NAVIGATION BV
  • EP3018449B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3018449B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3018449B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of sharing data between devices, comprising determining an event at each of first and second devices, determining a time of the event at each of the first and second devices based on data wirelessly received at the first and second devices, and associating the first and second devices via a communication protocol to enable data communication therebetween if a time derived from an identifier of at least one of the devices used in the association is within a predetermined window of the time of the event at the other device.