NFC-Triggered Bluetooth Handover for Voice Calls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing voice call transfer technologies between mobile devices and two-way audio appliances, such as speakerphones, face challenges in efficiently establishing a secure and high-speed data link for seamless call handover, particularly in proximity-based communication systems like NFC, which may not ensure reliable authentication and fast data transfer.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that uses Near Field Communication (NFC) or other proximity-based technologies to detect audio appliances, exchange signaling information, and establish a bi-directional communication link, potentially using high-speed interfaces like Bluetooth, to transfer audio data during voice calls, ensuring authentication through cryptographic certificates and efficient data routing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If NFC proximity-based communication is used to detect and transfer calls to audio appliances, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of authentication and data transfer is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication process into two distinct phases: NFC proximity detection and authentication (easy, automatic) followed by Bluetooth connection establishment and audio data transfer (reliable, high-speed). This segmentation allows each technology to operate in its optimal performance zone, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces Bluetooth as an intermediary technology that bridges the gap between NFC's ease of operation and the need for reliable authentication. NFC serves as the initial mediator to detect proximity and trigger the handover, while Bluetooth acts as the secondary mediator to establish the secure, high-reliability connection for actual audio transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If high-speed interfaces like Bluetooth are used to transfer audio data, then data transfer speed is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the universality of Bluetooth technology, which is already widely integrated into modern mobile devices for other purposes. By utilizing this existing universal interface for call handover audio transmission, the patent achieves high data transfer speed without significantly increasing device complexity, as the hardware and protocol stack are already present.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary pairing and authentication through NFC before the actual audio transfer begins. This preliminary action ensures that when Bluetooth takes over for high-speed audio transmission, the connection is already established and authenticated, reducing the complexity of real-time connection management during the call.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2732606B1Transferring a voice call
Publication Date: 2017.04.19 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2732606B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2732606B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2732606B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer programs for transferring a call described. In some aspects, during a voice call, a mobile device detects proximity of an audio appliance. The mobile device determines that the audio appliance is permitted to carry an audio portion of the voice call. The mobile device establishes a bi-directional communication link operable to transfer audio data between the mobile device and the audio appliance. In some instances, the audio data for the voice call is routed between the mobile device and the audio appliance by the bi-directional communication link.