Skin-Based Wireless Data Exchange Between Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for exchanging contact information between mobile devices require manual setup and authorization, which can be cumbersome, especially in brief social or business settings where time is limited.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a skin-based communication network to transmit a wireless network setup message between mobile terminals, enabling a wireless connection based on capacitance or inductance changes, allowing for automatic data exchange without manual intervention, using conductive tethers or conductive fabrics as skin domain interface devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual inputting of contact information is used, then accuracy of information exchange is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of information exchangeVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects skin contact through capacitance sensing and initiates wireless connection and data transfer without requiring user intervention. The mobile device serves itself by autonomously completing the entire information exchange process from detection to transmission, eliminating manual setup while maintaining accurate contact information transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If wireless network connection is manually setup and authorized, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-establishes skin contact detection capabilities and wireless communication protocols before actual contact occurs. When skin contact is detected, the wireless connection is automatically initiated and authorized based on pre-configured parameters, ensuring reliable connection establishment without requiring manual setup or user authorization at the moment of contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If skin-based communication network is used, then data transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device utilizes its existing capacitance sensing capability, which is already present for touch screen operation, to detect skin contact for communication initiation. The same wireless communication hardware and software infrastructure used for normal wireless operations is repurposed for skin-based activation. This multi-functionality approach enables efficient data transfer through skin contact without adding dedicated specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and automatic exchange of contact information between mobile devices through physical contact, reducing the need for manual setup and enhancing data transfer efficiency in social or business interactions.

Implementation Method 1

monitoring a parameter associated with a skin domain associated with a user of the first mobile device. Additionally, monitoring the parameter may include monitoring one of a capacitance or an inductance via a skin domain interface device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

monitoring the parameter may include monitoring one of a capacitance or an inductance via a skin domain interface device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductance: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

The skin domain interface device may include a conductive tether or strap. Additionally, the skin domain interface device may include a conductive fabric positioned between the skin domain and the first mobile device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2253083B1Skin-based information transfer between mobile devices
Publication Date: 2016.05.25 SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
  • EP2253083B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2253083B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2253083B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A first mobile terminal may transmit wireless network setup information to a second mobile terminal via a skin-based communication network. A wireless network connection may be established based on information included in the wireless network setup message. A data item may be received from the second mobile terminal via the wireless network connection.