Proximity Link Control for Communication Device Function Sharing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication equipment is limited in functional interactions between devices, relying heavily on centralized servers for functionality, which can lead to compatibility issues and restricted functionality, especially in real-time communications and call routing.
Innovation Solution
A control device that enables direct proximity links between communication devices, allowing them to share function definitions and commands, enabling users to access and control functions offered by neighboring devices without a server, through interface means that trigger presentations and execute commands remotely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If communication equipment connects to a centralized server to access additional functions, then the user can access a wider range of functions, but the requesting communication equipment becomes totally dependent on the server and may not benefit from the requested function due to server-determined routing incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proximity link as an intermediary communication channel between communication devices, allowing direct function execution without server mediation. When a device detects another device offering a needed function within proximity, it can execute the function directly through the proximity link, bypassing the centralized server and its routing constraints while maintaining functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the centralized server architecture into distributed peer-to-peer interactions. Instead of all devices relying on a single server, each device can independently detect and interact with other devices in its proximity, dividing the centralized control function into multiple decentralized decision-making units, thereby improving both versatility and reliability.
2Reliability
If communication equipment establishes direct proximity links to access functions of neighboring devices without a server, then functional reliability improves, but the range of available functions is limited and does not include real-time communications or call routing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes communication devices universal by enabling them to offer and execute multiple types of functions including real-time communications, call routing, and data access through the proximity link. The system is designed to support diverse function types (voice, data, signaling) so that a single proximity link mechanism can handle multiple communication needs, thereby achieving both reliability and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic function discovery and execution capabilities where devices can adaptively detect available functions in real-time and dynamically establish appropriate communication modes. The system transitions from static, pre-defined function sets to dynamic, on-demand function activation based on proximity detection and device capabilities, enabling real-time communications and call routing as needed.
3Device complexity
If a centralized server manages all communication equipment functions, then function management is simplified, but device complexity increases due to server dependency and centralized control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables communication devices to self-manage function execution by detecting available functions locally through proximity links and autonomously establishing connections without server intervention. Each device independently determines which functions to offer and how to execute them, eliminating the need for centralized server management and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The device (D1) has interface units (MI) permitting a user to use functions offered by a communication equipment e.g. mobile/cellular telephone (T2), using another communication equipment e.g. portable computer (T1) such as laptop, when a proximity connection (LP) e.g. Bluetoothor wireless fidelity (WiFi)connection, is established between the equipments. The interface units have interrogation units for requesting certain definitions of functions offered by the former communication equipment and control definitions associated to the functions. An independent claim is also included for a method for controlling functions offered by communication equipments of a user.