Proxy Pairing for Wireless Devices in Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In manufacturing sites, the existing pairing methods for wireless communication devices fail to complete the pairing process when the wireless communication ranges of source devices overlap insufficiently, leading to data distribution failures between sink devices and source devices.
Innovation Solution
A communication system with a first device capable of receiving data and multiple second devices that can wirelessly communicate, each equipped with a wireless communication unit, pairing processing unit, device information storage, content generation unit, and data control unit, allowing the pairing process to be performed between the first device and another second device as a proxy, enabling pairing even when direct wireless communication is not possible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the existing pairing method is used where the sink device directly communicates with the source device, then the pairing process can be completed when devices are within wireless communication range, but the pairing process cannot be completed when the sink device is outside the wireless communication range of the source device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a display device as an intermediary mediator between the sink device and source device. The display device receives pairing information from the sink device via wired connection, stores it, and transmits it to the source device via wireless communication. This intermediary approach allows pairing to occur even when the sink device is outside the direct wireless communication range of the source device, resolving the contradiction between reliable pairing completion and adaptability to different positions.
2Productivity
If source devices are arranged with overlapping wireless communication ranges to ensure coverage, then data distribution can be maintained across the manufacturing site, but the pairing process fails when the sink device moves between non-overlapping ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The display device serves as a stable intermediary that maintains pairing information regardless of the sink device's position. When the sink device moves between source devices, it re-establishes pairing through the same display device intermediary, ensuring reliable pairing completion while maintaining data distribution continuity across the manufacturing site.
Solution Approach 2:
The pairing information is preliminarily established between the sink device and the display device before the sink device needs to communicate with source devices. This preliminary pairing action ensures that when the sink device moves to different positions, the pairing relationship is already in place and can be quickly activated without requiring re-pairing at each location.
3Area of stationary object
If the wireless communication range is expanded to cover the entire manufacturing site, then the sink device can communicate with all source devices, but the existing pairing protocol cannot handle proxy pairing through intermediate devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pairing process into two distinct stages: first, pairing between the sink device and the display device via wired connection; second, pairing between the display device and the source device via wireless communication. This segmentation allows the system to handle proxy pairing through intermediate devices without requiring a complete redesign of the wireless pairing protocol, thus managing device complexity while expanding effective coverage area.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system includes a first device and a plurality of second devices, and each of the second devices includes a pairing processing unit, a device information storage unit, and a data control unit. The pairing processing unit performs a pairing process including an authentication process with the first device by using device-specific information of the second device. The device information storage unit stores device information including pairing authentication information. The pairing processing unit performs, by using device-specific information of another second device the pairing process between the first device and the another second device, and stores the pairing authentication information in the device information storage unit. The data control unit transmits the pairing authentication information to the another second device. The data control unit of the another second device stores the received pairing authentication information in the device information storage unit.