Proximity-Based Device Control via Signal Strength Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face increased complexity and decreased user experience when controlling distributed controlled devices, such as intelligent acoustic devices and lighting, as they need to manually re-select devices upon moving to a different room.

Innovation Solution

A device control method where a terminal senses movement by receiving radio signals from access point devices, determining signal strengths, and controlling connected devices based on proximity, ensuring seamless service continuation without user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually select controlled devices to provide services, then users can control specific devices, but user operation complexity increases and user experience decreases when moving between rooms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice selection operationVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controlled devices automatically detect terminal devices in proximity through signal strength detection and automatically provide services without requiring manual selection by users. The system performs self-service by autonomously determining which terminal should receive service based on detected signal strengths from multiple access points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-determines service relationships by continuously monitoring signal strengths between terminal devices and controlled devices before user requests are made. This preliminary detection and determination of proximity relationships enables automatic service switching without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If users re-select controlled devices when moving to new rooms, then services can continue in different locations, but operational complexity increases and user experience decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuity across locationsVSAvoiddevice re-selection operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects when a terminal device moves to a new location by monitoring changes in signal strength patterns from multiple access points. The controlled devices self-adjust to provide continuous service to the moving terminal without requiring the user to manually re-select devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors signal strength feedback from multiple access points to determine the relative positions of terminal devices and controlled devices. This real-time feedback enables automatic service switching when terminals move between rooms, maintaining service continuity adaptively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If manual device selection is required, then users can precisely control which device provides service, but the system requires more user intervention and operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice selection precisionVSAvoidautomatic device selection
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical selection operations with automated electronic signal strength detection and processing. By using wireless signal strength measurements from multiple access points, the system automatically determines the closest terminal device and assigns service without requiring manual user input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic device selection and service assignment through self-service mechanisms. Controlled devices autonomously detect terminal positions via signal strength monitoring and automatically determine which terminal should receive services, eliminating the need for manual user selection while maintaining precise device-terminal matching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method improves user experience by automatically selecting the closest controlled device when the user moves, reducing operational complexity and ensuring continuous service without manual re-selection.

Implementation Method 1

A terminal receives a radio signal sent by a first access point device, determines a corresponding first signal strength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio signal propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3800904B1Device control method and device
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3800904B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3800904B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3800904B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communications, and provide a device control method and a device, so that a controlled device senses movement of a terminal, thereby improving user experience. The method includes the following steps: receiving, by a terminal, a radio signal sent by a first access point device (S101), determining a corresponding first signal strength according to the radio signal sent by the first access point device (S102), acquiring a second signal strength, corresponding to the first access point device, of a first controlled device and a third signal strength, corresponding to the first access point device, of a second controlled device (S 103), and when determining, according to the first signal strength, the second signal strength, and the third signal strength, that a distance between the first controlled device and the terminal is less than a distance between the second controlled device and the terminal, controlling the first controlled device and the second controlled device (S104). The method embodiment is used to control a controlled device.