Portable Scanner BLE Advertising for Non-Interfering Device Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scanner systems with portable scanning devices face challenges in maintaining communication across different connectivity states without interfering with established connections, and the addition of a second communication module increases complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing advertising packets in the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard allows bi- or multidirectional communication between scanning devices in any connectivity state, using a single wireless communication module to maintain established connections while enabling communication with unpaired devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a second communication module is added to enable communication with unpaired devices, then communication capability in any connectivity state is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing wireless communication module universal by enabling it to perform both paired connection communication and unpaired advertising packet communication. The module can operate in different modes (connected and disconnected states) without requiring a dedicated second module, thus achieving multi-functionality with a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of a dedicated advertising module with the existing wireless communication module. By combining these functions into a single module, the system avoids the complexity and cost of adding a separate second communication module while still achieving communication in any connectivity state.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a second communication module is added to enable communication with unpaired devices, then communication capability in any connectivity state is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing wireless communication module is designed to be universal, handling both paired and unpaired device communication. This eliminates the need to manufacture devices with an additional dedicated module, reducing component costs and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining advertising packet transmission and connected communication functions into a single module, the system reduces the total component count, lowering manufacturing costs and simplifying assembly processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If advertising packets are used for communication, then communication with unpaired devices is enabled, but interference with established connections may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication process into distinct states (connected and disconnected) with clear transitions. The module selectively operates in advertising packet mode or connected mode based on the current state, preventing interference between the two communication methods while maintaining reliability of established connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a scanner system is provided. The scanner system has a scanning device portable by a user, and an interacting device. The method includes broadcasting an advertising packet by a first device, being the interacting device or the scanning device, the advertising packet including identification information and payload information, receiving the advertising packet by a second device, verifying the identification information of the advertising packet against stored, expected identification information, and if the verification has been positive, performing an action by the second device based on the payload information. The action includes, always or when one or more prerequisites are met, broadcasting an advertising packet as a reaction. Further, a scanner system and a scanning device are provided.