Physical Token Presence Detection for Communications Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining user presence in an office environment, such as manually setting a presence indicator or inferring from computer activity, are inaccurate and may fail to reflect the user's actual status, leading to incorrect updates.

Innovation Solution

The use of a physical token, such as an RFID or infrared tag, carried by the user, to detect their presence and communicate this information to a device, combined with secondary indicators from calendar and device state, to determine a precise physical presence setting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual presence indicator setting is used, then user control is maintained, but accuracy deteriorates due to user forgetfulness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepresence indicator accuracyVSAvoidmanual update requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects user presence and updates presence indicators without requiring manual user action. Multiple detection methods (computer activity monitoring, calendar analysis, device state sensing) work autonomously to determine and communicate user presence status, eliminating the need for users to manually update their presence while maintaining high accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors multiple indicators (computer activity, calendar events, device state) and uses this feedback to dynamically update presence status. The multi-factor detection approach provides continuous feedback loops that adjust presence determination based on changing conditions, improving reliability over static manual settings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Extent of automation

If computer activity-based inference is used, then automation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to false presence conclusions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic presence updatingVSAvoidpresence detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The presence detection system is segmented into multiple independent detection modules: computer activity monitoring, calendar event analysis, and device state sensing. Each module independently evaluates specific aspects of user presence, and their results are combined to form a comprehensive determination, reducing false conclusions that any single method might produce

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs multiple detection methods that serve different functions but collectively determine presence: monitoring computer activity for work status, analyzing calendar events for scheduled availability, and sensing device state for physical proximity. This multi-functional approach ensures accurate presence detection across various user scenarios that any single method might miss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8122491B2Techniques for physical presence detection for a communications device

Publication Date: 2012.02.21 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Techniques are provided for determining a physical presence setting. First information is received indicating whether a physical token of a user is detected with respect to a device associated with the user. The physical presence setting for the user with respect to the device is determined in accordance with the first information.