Registration Device for Room Status Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing the occupancy of rooms in shared spaces, such as meeting rooms in company buildings, is challenging due to the need for real-time monitoring and efficient utilization, as existing systems require complex communication setups and lack effective methods for handling location status information.

Innovation Solution

A registration device with multiple communication members for interacting with remote servers and mobile handsets, allowing for the transmission and processing of location status information, enabling users to check in or book rooms by simply striking or bumping their mobile device against the registration device, which activates communication and updates the status without requiring complex initiation processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex communication setup is used for real-time monitoring of room occupancy, then the reliability of status information is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of location status informationVSAvoidcomplexity of registration device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication unit is divided into three distinct communication members (first for remote server, second for management unit, third for mobile handset), each handling specific communication tasks. This segmentation allows the device to maintain reliable multi-channel communication while keeping each individual communication component relatively simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The registration device acts as an intermediary between mobile handsets and the remote server/management unit. It receives identification data from mobile handsets via the third communication member, then transmits this data through the second communication member to the management unit, and communicates with the remote server via the first communication member. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining reliable information flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication members are integrated in the registration device, then the functionality for handling location status information is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality of registration deviceVSAvoidease of manufacture of registration device

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The registration device integrates multiple communication members within a single device body, enabling it to perform multiple functions: communicating with remote servers, interfacing with management units, and directly interacting with mobile handsets. This multi-functionality is achieved by incorporating diverse communication capabilities (wireless, wired, short-range) into one universal device, improving adaptability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a simple activation method is used for establishing communication connection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of communication establishment may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operation for establishing communicationVSAvoidreliability of communication connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The registration device is pre-configured with multiple communication members and the necessary protocols for different communication channels before actual use. The device is prepared in advance to handle various communication scenarios, so when a mobile handset approaches or interacts with it, the communication connection can be established immediately through simple activation without complex setup procedures. This preliminary preparation ensures both ease of operation and reliable connection establishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2479958B1Registration device for handling information on the status of a location, system and method for managing the status and method for handling the status

Publication Date: 2017.10.25 VODAFONE GMBH

AI summary

Registration device for handling information on the status of a location, which is related to the registration device, wherein the registration device (10) comprises at least one communication unit (100) for communicating with at least one external entity (12, 13), said communication unit (100) comprising a first communication member (101) for communicating with at least one external entity being a remote server (12) for managing communication between the registration device (10) and at least one mobile handset (11), said communication unit (100) comprising a second communication member (102) for communicating with at least one external entity being a management unit (13), said communication unit (100) comprising a third communication member (103) for communicating with at least one external entity being a mobile handset (11), said registration device (10) further comprising at least one activation member (104) for activating the first communication member (101) for establishing a communication connection to the at least one remote server (12). Furthermore a system for managing the status of a location, a method for handling the status of a location as well as to a method for managing the status of a location are described.