Proximity Platform for Wireless Peripheral Automation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing host computing devices face challenges in efficiently managing and interacting with peripheral devices due to varying connection mechanisms and protocols, leading to burdensome user experiences and resource inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A proximity platform is instantiated on the host computing device to centralize detection and tracking of wireless peripheral devices, utilizing advertisement packets with patterns to perform specific operations and filter actions based on signal strength and proximity, thereby simplifying connections and conserving resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple connection mechanisms and protocols are used between host and peripheral devices, then device compatibility and functionality are improved, but user interaction complexity and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidconnection management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a proximity platform as an intermediary layer between the host computing device and peripheral devices. This platform centralizes the detection, tracking, and management of wireless peripheral devices, handling the complexity of multiple connection mechanisms and protocols internally. The platform provides a unified interface that simplifies user interaction while maintaining support for diverse device types and connection protocols, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If continuous monitoring and tracking of peripheral devices is performed, then proximity-based automation accuracy is improved, but battery life and system resources are consumed

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic monitoring instead of continuous tracking of peripheral devices. The proximity platform periodically updates the status and position of detected devices based on predetermined intervals and conditions. This approach maintains sufficient proximity detection accuracy for automation triggers while significantly reducing battery consumption and system resource usage compared to continuous monitoring, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If centralized detection and tracking of peripheral devices is implemented, then automation efficiency and user experience are improved, but system processor utilization increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation efficiencyVSAvoidprocessor utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary detection and classification of peripheral devices by the proximity platform. When devices are first detected, the platform pre-processes their characteristics, categories, and potential automation scenarios. This preliminary action organizes device information in advance, enabling efficient automation trigger evaluation without requiring intensive real-time processing. Consequently, automation efficiency is improved while processor utilization during operation is reduced, resolving the contradiction between productivity and power consumption.

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

The proximity platform enhances user experience by automating notifications, application downloads, and device interactions while saving battery life, system bandwidth, and processor utilization by centralizing functions within the operating system.

Implementation Method 1

identify a live RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) value associated with the peripheral device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication):

Data Source

PatentEP3714613B1Proximity platform
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3714613B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3714613B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3714613B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A host device, such as a laptop or desktop computer, that supports wireless point-to-point connections with a peripheral device, such as a pair of headphones, mouse, etc., is configured with a proximity platform with which services register to execute particular filters or scenarios upon the host device connecting or attempting to connect with a peripheral device. For example, an advertisement packet transmitted from the peripheral device using Bluetooth may be customized with a particular pattern that corresponds to one or more registered patterns from the registered services, thereby causing the proximity platform to perform particular functions. Peripheral devices can thereby customize their products so that a host computer automatically performs a function upon receiving an advertisement from the peripheral device, such as surface a notification on a user interface of the host device or track the peripheral device's location.