Structure-Borne Sound Communication for Device Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for structure-borne sound communication are complex and expensive, requiring active user participation and a central control unit, which makes them not user-friendly.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a first electronic device with a processing unit and a structure-borne sound actuator, and a second electronic device with a processing unit and a structure-borne sound sensor, allowing direct communication between devices without a node, and enabling automated communication without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central control unit is used for communication between electronic devices, then communication coordination is achieved, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the central control unit from the system architecture. Each electronic device is equipped with independent structure-borne sound actuators and sensors, allowing devices to autonomously detect mechanical connections and establish communication without relying on a centralized coordination node. This extraction eliminates the complexity and cost associated with the central control unit while maintaining communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the centralized communication coordination function into distributed autonomous capabilities at each device level. Each device independently performs mechanical connection detection using its own actuator and sensor, rather than relying on centralized coordination. This segmentation distributes the intelligence and eliminates the need for a complex central control unit.
2Ease of operation
If active user participation is required to initiate and confirm communication, then communication establishment is controlled, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where electronic devices autonomously initiate and establish communication by detecting mechanical connections through structure-borne sound. The devices automatically determine whether a mechanical connection exists between them without requiring user initiation or confirmation actions. This self-service capability dramatically improves ease of operation while maximizing automation extent.
3Device complexity
If structure-borne sound communication is used to detect mechanical connections, then direct device communication is enabled, but system cost increases due to additional sensors and actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes structure-borne sound actuators and sensors multi-functional components that serve both existing device functions and new communication capabilities. Existing speakers, motors, or vibration generators are repurposed as structure-borne sound actuators for communication, and existing microphones or vibration sensors are used as structure-borne sound sensors. This universality enables direct device communication without adding significant cost, as existing components are leveraged for dual purposes.
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
The system simplifies the structure and reduces costs by eliminating the need for a central control unit and active user participation, while providing a user-friendly automated communication process.
Implementation Method 1
Structure-borne sound communication is signal transmission by means of sound waves, which takes place via a solid transmission medium
Implementation Method 2
the second processing unit is configured to detect a structure-borne sound signal by means of the second structure-borne sound sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system for structure-borne sound communication within the system. The system includes a first electronic device and a second electronic device, wherein the first electronic device includes at least a first processing unit and a first structure-borne sound actuator, wherein the first processing unit is configured to emit a first structure-borne sound signal by means of the first structure-borne sound actuator, and wherein the second electronic device includes at least a second processing unit and a second structure-borne sound sensor, wherein the second processing unit is configured to detect a structure-borne sound signal by means of the second structure-borne sound sensor and, depending on the detected structure-borne sound signal, to determine whether a mechanical connection is present between the first electronic device and the second electronic device.