Sanitary Fixture Radio Module Visibility Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary facility radio modules, such as those using Bluetooth Low Energy technology, are permanently visible and accessible, leading to security concerns and acceptance issues due to constant broadcasting of attention cues, which can result in unauthorized access and confusion as the number of visible modules increases with the Internet of Things.

Innovation Solution

A method where the sanitary facility radio module operates in a scanning mode to receive attention cues without sending them, allowing a master radio module to initiate a data connection by transmitting activation data, and then switches to an advertising mode to establish a connection, ensuring the module is only briefly visible and secure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the sanitary facility radio module constantly sends out attention notices to be visible to other devices, then the module can be easily connected to, but security problems arise because unauthorized devices can access the module

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connectionVSAvoidsecurity risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The radio module switches between different operational modes (scanning mode where it only receives attention notices, and advertising mode where it sends out attention notices) in a periodic manner. This allows the module to be temporarily visible for connection establishment but generally invisible to prevent unauthorized access, resolving the contradiction between ease of connection and security risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The radio module dynamically changes its visibility state by switching between scanning mode (invisible) and advertising mode (visible). This dynamic behavior allows the module to maintain security by being mostly invisible while still enabling connections when needed, addressing both ease of operation and security concerns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sanitary facility radio module constantly broadcasts attention cues, then devices can connect to it, but acceptance problems occur because owners have security or data protection concerns

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconnectivityVSAvoidacceptance issues
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The radio module uses periodic switching between scanning mode (where it only receives attention notices and remains invisible) and advertising mode (where it sends out attention notices and becomes visible). This periodic behavior maintains connectivity capability when needed while generally preventing unauthorized access, thereby improving both adaptability and acceptance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of visible radio modules increases with the Internet of Things, then more devices can be connected, but confusion and errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of connectionsVSAvoidconfusion and errors
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The radio module dynamically adjusts its visibility by switching between scanning mode (invisible) and advertising mode (visible). This dynamic control allows the system to maintain a manageable number of visible modules at any given time, reducing confusion and errors while still enabling multiple connections when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3764674A1Radio link in a sanitary area
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP3764674A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3764674A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3764674A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method for establishing a data connection between a sanitary fixture radio module (SF) embedded in a sanitary fixture (1) and a master radio module (MF) is presented, comprising the following steps: Step B: Operating the sanitary fixture radio module (SF) in a mode in which attention cues can be received but not transmitted; Step C: Operating the master radio module (MF) in a mode in which attention cues are transmitted; Step D: Transmitting activation data from the master radio module (MF) to the sanitary fixture radio module (SF); Step E: Operating the sanitary fixture radio module (SF) in a mode in which attention cues are sent; and Step F: Operating the master radio module (MF) in a mode in which attention cues can be received.Step G: Establishing a data connection between the master radio module (MF) and the sanitary fixture radio module (SF), in which the master radio module (MF) operates as the master and the sanitary fixture radio module (SF) operates as the slave. Suitable sanitary fixtures (1), mobile devices (2), and combinations for carrying out this procedure are also presented.