Satellite Alignment Interface for Handheld Communication Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing satellite communication systems lack effective guidance for aligning electronic devices with communication satellites, particularly in areas where terrestrial networks are unavailable, leading to difficulties in establishing connections.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device employs processors to obtain and process location and direction information, displaying visual indicators and guides to help align the device with the satellite, using angle and height information to facilitate communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If satellite communication is performed without base stations, then geographical location limitations are removed, but difficulty in aligning device with satellite increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeographical coverageVSAvoidalignment difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces visual indicators (satellite indicator, antenna indicator, reference range indicator) as intermediaries to mediate between the device and satellite. These indicators provide real-time visual feedback about the relative position and orientation, guiding the user to adjust the device until proper alignment is achieved, thus resolving the alignment difficulty without compromising geographical coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring the difference between satellite direction information and device direction information, and displaying visual indicators that reflect this difference. When the device is properly aligned, the satellite indicator overlaps with the antenna indicator within the reference range, providing clear feedback that communication is available. This feedback mechanism makes alignment intuitive and easy to achieve

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If visual indicators are displayed to guide alignment, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment guidanceVSAvoidprocessor computation load
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for alignment guidance and displays it through simplified visual indicators. Instead of processing and displaying all available satellite data, the system extracts the critical difference between satellite direction and device direction, representing it through intuitive visual elements like indicators and reference ranges, thus reducing computational complexity while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses color changes and visual state changes of indicators to convey alignment status. The satellite indicator changes position and overlap state with the antenna indicator based on alignment quality, providing intuitive visual feedback without requiring complex data processing. This visual encoding simplifies the information presentation while guiding user action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP4654621A1Electronic device and method for providing satellite communication connection
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4654621A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4654621A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4654621A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

According to embodiments, an electronic device is provided. This electronic device comprises: an antenna; a memory storing instructions; a display; and at least one processor. The instructions may, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: execute an application related to satellites; display, within a display area of the application, an antenna indicator indicating a reference range of an antenna direction of the electronic device; obtain azimuth information and elevation angle information, the azimuth information being about a relative direction of the satellite with respect to the antenna direction of the electronic device; and display a satellite indicator on a horizontal location corresponding to the azimuth information and a vertical location corresponding to the elevation angle information within the display area, the satellite indicator indicating the relative direction of the satellite. The satellite indicator may move with respect to the antenna indicator according to a change in direction of the electronic device.