Smartphone Gateway for Serial-to-TCP/IP Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data connection methods between mobile telephones and apparatuses, such as vehicles, are restricted due to contractual or technical limitations, particularly during tethering, which prevents the use of services dependent on TCP/IP connections, and some apparatuses lack a TCP/IP interface, necessitating tethering activation or new device purchases.
Innovation Solution
A method that establishes a serial connection between an apparatus and a mobile telephone unit, using protocols like Android Open Accessory Protocol or Bluetooth Serial Port, to create a TCP/IP connection without direct TCP/IP support, allowing data transmission through a smartphone interface as a gateway, enabling transparent communication between the apparatus and external units without changing the data field, and supporting encrypted connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tethering is activated to enable TCP/IP connection, then online services can be used, but device complexity and contractual restrictions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protocol conversion mechanism that acts as an intermediary between serial communication protocols and TCP/IP protocols. This converter enables apparatuses with only serial interfaces to communicate with TCP/IP-based online services without requiring tethering activation or additional hardware, thus resolving the contradiction by providing adaptability through software-based protocol translation rather than through complex connection setups
2Ease of operation
If tethering is not activated, then device simplicity is maintained, but TCP/IP based services cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol conversion mechanism serves as an intermediary that enables TCP/IP services to be accessed through existing serial communication interfaces. This approach maintains device simplicity by not requiring tethering activation or additional hardware while simultaneously providing service functionality through software-based protocol translation, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability
3Device complexity
If apparatus has no TCP/IP interface, then device complexity is reduced, but online connection capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a protocol converter that acts as an intermediary, allowing apparatuses with only serial interfaces to communicate with TCP/IP-based online services. The converter translates between serial communication protocols and TCP/IP protocols, enabling online connection capability without requiring the apparatus to have a native TCP/IP interface, thus resolving the contradiction by maintaining low device complexity while providing adaptability through software translation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for communicating between a communication unit of an apparatus and an external communication unit via a mobile telephone unit wherein a serial connection to be set up between the communication unit of the apparatus and the mobile telephone unit, a protocol of the serial connection having a data field and a first header, for a connection to be set up between the mobile telephone unit and the external communication unit, for a second header for the connection to be generated from the first header in the mobile telephone unit, and for the data field to be transmitted without change from the serial connection to the connection. Also disclosed is an online connection of a mobile telephone unit even without a TCP/IP connection.