User Discovery via Bluetooth Scanning and Server Validation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack an efficient method for discovering and validating users associated with a common credential issuing organization within a specific communication range, especially in environments where direct wireless communication protocols like Bluetooth are used, and there is a need for a system that can effectively identify and connect users in close proximity or over wider geographic areas.
Innovation Solution
A credential management system that utilizes a user interface on a device to scan for other devices using a communication protocol like Bluetooth, broadcasts identifiers with unique user information, and validates these identifiers through a validation server to display the presence of nearby users, while also allowing for searches over wider areas via network connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If direct wireless communication protocols like Bluetooth are used for user discovery, then communication range and direct connectivity are improved, but the ability to discover users over wider geographic areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments user discovery into two distinct modes: direct wireless discovery (Bluetooth) for immediate proximity and network-based discovery (HTTP requests) for extended range. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for speed in close proximity while extending coverage area through alternative communication paths.
Solution Approach 2:
A server acts as an intermediary between devices for network-based user discovery. Instead of requiring direct peer-to-peer wireless communication, devices send HTTP requests to the server, which then returns information about other users in the geographic area, effectively extending the discovery range beyond direct wireless communication limits.
2Area of stationary object
If network connections are used for wider area searches, then geographic coverage is improved, but communication latency and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between direct wireless communication and network-based communication based on the discovery needs. For immediate proximity discoveries, Bluetooth provides fast direct communication. For wider geographic searches, HTTP requests to the server provide extended coverage, with the system adapting its communication strategy to the specific discovery scenario.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If user identifiers are broadcast continuously, then user discoverability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous broadcasting, the system uses periodic or on-demand identifier transmission. Devices broadcast their identifiers using Bluetooth when in proximity discovery mode, and send HTTP requests to the server when network-based discovery is needed, rather than maintaining continuous transmission, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining discoverability.
Data Source
AI summary
An application executed on a first device presents a user interface on a device display. The application is associated with a validation system used by the device. Based on receiving a first user input, the application controls the first device to scan, using a first communication protocol, for other devices that are located within a first communication range of the first device. Based on the scan, the application discovers a second device located within the first communication range of the first device. The application receives, from the second device, an identification information that uniquely identifies a user associated with the second device on the validation system. The application validates the identification information by communicating with a validation server. Based on validating the identification information, the application displays an indication that the second device associated with the user is located within the first communication range of the first device.