Proximity-Ready I/O Communication via Terminal Emulation Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to provide seamless communication services between individual input and/or output (I/O) devices proximately located to a user, often resulting in delays or interruptions as users move, and do not effectively support cloud-based software-defined smartphones or similar devices.

Innovation Solution

A user terminal emulation server emulates a user terminal using proximately located I/O devices, predicting their availability and preparing them to provide communication services before the user arrives, dynamically combining their UI capabilities to support communication needs without the need for a traditional all-inclusive user terminal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional user terminals integrate all communication features locally, then communication capabilities are available, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilitiesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts complex communication processing functions from the user terminal and relocates them to a remote server. The user terminal retains only basic interface functions (display, input), while the server handles authentication, session management, and communication protocols. This extraction reduces terminal complexity while preserving full communication capabilities through cloud-based processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the user terminal and the communication network. The server acts as a mediator that receives communication requests from the terminal, processes them through authentication and session management, and returns results. This intermediary approach allows the terminal to access advanced communication features without integrating complex processing circuits locally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If users keep user terminals within reach at all times, then communication services are continuously accessible, but portability and convenience are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication service availabilityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the user terminal experience through a web-based interface that replicates terminal functions in a browser. Instead of requiring physical possession of a terminal device, users can access communication services through any device with a web browser. The server maintains session state and user context, enabling seamless continuation of communications across different devices and locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If I/O user devices are used without prediction, then service establishment is simple, but service delays occur when users move between devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice establishment speedVSAvoidservice delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the server proactively identify and prepare I/O user devices before users actually need them. The server monitors user location and device availability, pre-establishing communication sessions and configuring devices in advance. When a user approaches a device, the session is already prepared and can be activated immediately, eliminating delays that would occur with reactive device selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4352940B1Providing proximity communication services through I/O user devices to a user

Publication Date: 2025.08.06 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

A user terminal emulation server (100) provides communication services through one or more input and/or output (I/O) user devices (130) to a user (UserTag#!, UserTag#2). The user terminal emulation server is configured to register the user with a network entity (150) providing the communication services, and predict that an I/O user device will become proximately located to the user. Based on the prediction that the I/O user device will become proximately located to the user, the user terminal emulation server determines that the I/O user device has an I/O user interface that satisfies a capability criterion to enable the user to use a first one of the communication services. Based on the satisfaction of the capability criterion and before the user is predicted to become proximately located to the I/O user device, the user terminal emulation server signals the I/O user device to prepare for using the I/O user interface to provide the first communication service for the user through the network entity.