Proximity-Based Device Personalization via Signal Triangulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for enabling personalized usage of devices require cumbersome login procedures and may lack sufficient security, especially in devices without network verification capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A method and arrangement where a primary device receives triangulation information from a secondary device to determine proximity and establish a connection, then sends identity information for adapting settings, allowing personalized usage without the need for login mechanisms, leveraging signal strength measurements and short-range wireless communication protocols like Bluetooth or NFC.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If login procedures are used for personalization, then device security is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to cumbersome login requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice securityVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing device pairing and proximity-based authentication in advance. When a secondary device enters the proximity area of a primary device, the personalization is automatically activated without requiring the user to perform login actions at that moment. The primary device has already been authenticated and authorized, so the secondary device can inherit these credentials automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the secondary device to automatically obtain personalization credentials through proximity detection and automatic authentication mechanisms. The user does not need to manually log in or configure settings; the system automatically detects the primary device, verifies proximity, and activates the appropriate user profile on the secondary device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If login procedures are implemented, then user identification is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional authentication mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser identificationVSAvoidauthentication mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary approach by using the primary device as a credential source and authentication mediator. Instead of implementing full authentication stacks in each secondary device, the primary device acts as an intermediary that stores user credentials and automatically provides them to secondary devices through proximity-based communication. This reduces the authentication complexity in secondary devices while maintaining accurate user identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If network verification is required for personalization, then security is improved, but usability deteriorates when devices lack network capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the network verification requirement from the personalization process and relocates it to the primary device. Secondary devices do not need network capabilities for verification; instead, they rely on proximity detection and automatic credential inheritance from the primary device. This extraction allows secondary devices without network capabilities to still access personalized functions through the primary device's network connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Measurement precision

If manual adaptation procedures are used, then personalization accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonalization accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring user profiles and personalization settings on the primary device before the secondary device needs them. When the secondary device enters proximity, the appropriate profile is already prepared and can be automatically activated instantly, eliminating the time-consuming manual adaptation process while maintaining full personalization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables automatic adaptation of secondary devices for personalized usage by a user when in proximity to their primary device, enhancing security by utilizing existing authentication methods and eliminating the need for login procedures.

Implementation Method 1

The received triangulation information comprises signal strength measurements by the secondary device of signals transmitted from a set of devices associated with the first primary device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal strength measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP2716076B1Methods and apparatuses for personalized device usage
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2716076B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2716076B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2716076B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Methods and arrangements in a first primary device (200) and a secondary device (208), respectively, for enabling personalized usage of the secondary device by a user of the first primary device. The primary device (200) receives (3:1) triangulation information from the secondary device (208) comprising signal strength measurements of signals transmitted from a set of devices (202a-c) associated with the first primary device and forming a limited area (206) of proximity to the first primary device. When the first primary device determines (3:2) that the secondary device is located within the limited area, based on the received triangulation information, it sends (3:4) identity information of the first user to the secondary device. Functions and settings in the secondary device are then adapted (3:6) to the first user, based on the received identity information, to provide personalized usage of the secondary device by the first user.