Proximity Discovery via Server-Assisted Short-Range Interface Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing proximity discovery technologies face limitations in accuracy and battery consumption, particularly in server-based schemes requiring frequent location updates and in short-range wireless communication schemes that keep interfaces active, leading to power waste and overhead issues, especially in congested areas or when dealing with malicious broadcasts.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device can remotely control a communication interface for proximity discovery using a pre-established communication network, activating it only when needed and deactivating it post-discovery, allowing for precise proximity detection with reduced power consumption by exchanging necessary information through a WAN and utilizing short-range interfaces based on shared data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If server-based proximity discovery schemes are used with frequent location updates, then positioning accuracy is improved, but battery consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic proximity discovery where the first electronic device periodically sends discovery requests to the second device through the server. This periodic action allows the devices to update their location information at intervals rather than continuously, maintaining positioning accuracy while reducing battery consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If short-range wireless communication interfaces remain active for proximity discovery, then discovery capability is improved, but battery consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscovery capabilityVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary proximity determination using server-based location information before activating short-range wireless communication interfaces. The first device sends a proximity discovery request to the server, which determines if devices are adjacent based on location data. Only after confirming proximity through this preliminary action does the system activate the short-range interface, ensuring discovery capability while minimizing unnecessary power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The short-range wireless communication interface is activated periodically only when proximity is detected through server-based location information, rather than remaining continuously active. This periodic activation maintains discovery capability while significantly reducing battery consumption compared to continuous interface operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If short-range wireless communication interfaces remain active in congested areas, then proximity discovery capability is improved, but overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproximity discovery capabilityVSAvoidoverhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary proximity assessment using server-based location information before activating short-range wireless communication. The server determines whether devices are adjacent based on their location data, and only then does the first device activate its short-range interface to communicate with the second device. This preliminary action filters out non-proximate devices, reducing overhead in congested areas while maintaining discovery capability for actual neighbors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If location information is frequently reported to server, then positioning accuracy is improved, but data usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddata usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic location reporting where the first device sends its location information to the server at defined intervals rather than continuously. This periodic reporting maintains positioning accuracy for proximity determination while significantly reducing data usage compared to continuous location updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3616424B1Electronic device and proximity discovery method thereof
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3616424B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3616424B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3616424B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first communication interface, a second communication interface, and a processor electrically connected with the first communication interface and the second communication interface, wherein the processor is configured to transmit first information related to proximity discovery of the electronic device to a first external electronic device or a second external electronic device through the first communication interface and perform proximity discovery with the first external electronic device through the second communication interface based on the first information or second information related to proximity discovery of the first external electronic device corresponding to the first information.