Proximity-Based Wireless Device Discovery and Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In IoT-rich environments, users face challenges in efficiently discovering and connecting to wireless devices due to the proliferation of devices, leading to time-consuming processes when trying to set up, register, or share maintenance tasks, as standard discovery methods can identify tens or hundreds of devices simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A proximity-based connection facilitation device (PBC) that presents visual elements representing computing devices based on their location, allowing users to easily identify and connect to proximate devices by limiting the number of options and using landmark devices to chain connections to less accessible devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard wireless discovery methods (WiFi scan or Bluetooth/BLE scan) are used to discover devices, then all wireless devices in the environment can be identified, but the number of discovered devices becomes excessively large (tens or hundreds), making the connection process time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device discovery process by introducing proximity-based filtering that divides all discovered devices into multiple groups based on their spatial relationship to the user device. Only devices within a threshold distance are presented for connection, effectively segmenting the large set of all devices into a manageable subset of proximate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the device presentation context-dependent on spatial proximity. Instead of uniformly presenting all devices, the system selectively presents only those devices that are locally close to the user device, making the discovery process adaptive to the local physical environment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all wireless devices are presented to the user for selection, then complete device availability is provided, but the user interface complexity and difficulty of identifying the correct device increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the relevant subset of devices from the complete set by applying proximity filtering. Only devices that meet the proximity criterion are extracted and presented to the user, eliminating the need to navigate through irrelevant distant devices while maintaining the ability to connect to all necessary proximate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the device presentation dynamic by continuously updating the set of presented devices based on the user device's changing location and orientation. As the user moves or rotates the device, the presented set dynamically adjusts to reflect current proximate devices, making the interface adaptive rather than static.
3Ease of operation
If proximity-based filtering is applied to limit device presentation, then user selection complexity is reduced, but devices that are not proximate become inaccessible for connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the dimension of spatial proximity as a new criterion for device presentation. By incorporating distance-based filtering, the system transforms the flat list of all devices into a spatially-aware presentation that prioritizes nearby devices while still maintaining the theoretical ability to connect to any device through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary proximity-based filtering before presenting devices to the user. This preliminary action of filtering out distant devices occurs automatically, reducing the presentation set to only those devices that are likely to be relevant, while the underlying system retains the capability to connect to any device if needed.
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AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media for a proximity-based connection facilitation device ("PBC") may be described which may facilitate discovery and connection to computing devices. The PBC may present visual elements representing devices based on their locations, such as their proximity. The PBC may present visual elements for a limited set of devices. The PBC may present computing devices in a visual manner that may depict their proximity to the PBC. The PBC may also provide for facilitated connection to devices that are not as proximate to the PBC. The PBC may facilitate identification of devices that are proximate to an identified device. By facilitating a user in selecting a first device and then visualizing devices proximate to the first device, the PBC may facilitate a user in chaining to devices that are less easily identified. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.