Touch-Triggered Wi-Fi Discovery for NFC-Free Device Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for establishing wireless connections between electronic devices, such as Bluetooth or WLAN, are hindered when one or both devices lack NFC hardware, preventing quick connection initiation.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where an electronic device increases its Wi-Fi scanning duty cycle upon detecting a specific motion state, such as approaching or touching another device, to accelerate discovery and establish a connection based on signal quality criteria, eliminating the need for NFC apparatuses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If NFC sensing areas of two electronic devices are closely attached to trigger connection establishment, then quick connection establishment can be achieved, but the method cannot work if one or both devices lack NFC hardware or if NFC sensing areas are not closely attached

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishment speedVSAvoidcompatibility with devices lacking NFC hardware
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the NFC mechanical contact-based system with a Wi-Fi based system that uses motion detection (acceleration sensor) and signal strength measurement to trigger connection establishment. This substitution eliminates the need for NFC hardware while maintaining the quick connection establishment capability through a different physical mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the connection establishment method universal by using Wi-Fi technology that is widely available in electronic devices without requiring specialized NFC hardware. The motion detection feature adds another layer of universality by enabling connection triggering through simple physical proximity detection that works across different device types.

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

2Speed

If Wi-Fi scanning duty cycle is increased to accelerate device discovery, then connection establishment speed improves, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice discovery speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the Wi-Fi scanning duty cycle based on real-time motion detection. When motion is detected indicating device proximity, the scanning duty cycle is increased to accelerate discovery. When no motion is detected, the scanning duty cycle is reduced to save power. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between speed and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses motion detection feedback to control the Wi-Fi scanning behavior. The acceleration sensor provides continuous feedback about device movement, which triggers the system to adjust scanning intensity accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that high power consumption scanning only occurs when necessary, balancing speed and energy usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4213513B1Method for touching to establish wireless connection between devices, electronic device, and chip
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4213513B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4213513B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4213513B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a method for establishing a wireless connection between devices through touching, an electronic device, and a chip, and relates to the field of short-range communication technologies. When detecting that a first electronic device approaches or touches a second electronic device, the first electronic device may accelerate scanning, for example, increase a Wi-Fi scanning frequency or a Bluetooth scanning duty cycle, so that the first electronic device quickly discovers the second electronic device. In this case, if signal quality of a broadcast message that is of the second electronic device and that is obtained by the first electronic device through scanning meets a preset condition, quick establishment of a Wi-Fi connection between the two devices may be triggered, to implement an effect of a one-touch connection between devices. In the solutions of this application, a connection and service interaction between electronic devices can be quickly triggered and started without using an NFC apparatus, so that a hardware requirement on the electronic device can be reduced.