Portable Terminal Peripheral Control via USIM Switch

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In portable terminals like smartphones, controlling peripheral devices such as cameras is hindered when the communication modem is turned off, as it disrupts the ability to determine user and location information from the USIM, preventing effective management of these devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that reroute the communication path from the communication modem to the controller and storage, using a switch to enable determination of necessary information and control of peripheral devices even when the modem is off, by employing a RF receiving circuit within the USIM to gather location information and manage device usage based on authorization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the communication modem is turned off to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the ability to control peripheral devices is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidperipheral device control

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the communication modem function from the peripheral device control function. The communication modem can be turned off independently while the controller maintains the ability to control peripheral devices through direct communication with the USIM card, achieving energy savings without losing device control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary between the USIM card and peripheral devices. When the communication modem is off, the controller directly communicates with the USIM card to obtain authorization information and uses this information to control peripheral devices, eliminating the need for the modem to be active for device control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the communication modem is turned off, then power consumption is reduced, but user information determination from USIM becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiduser information determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The controller serves as an intermediary that directly accesses the USIM card to retrieve user information. This direct access path bypasses the need for the communication modem, allowing user information determination to continue even when the modem is powered down.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-establishes communication paths and protocols between the controller and USIM card that can operate independently of the modem. This preliminary setup enables the controller to access user information directly without requiring modem intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the communication modem is turned off, then energy usage is reduced, but location information determination through RF receiving circuit becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy usageVSAvoidlocation information determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The controller acts as an intermediary that accesses location information directly from the USIM card's RF receiving circuit. This direct access mechanism allows location determination to function independently of the communication modem, enabling the system to save energy while maintaining location awareness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Loss of energy

If the communication modem is turned off, then operational cost is reduced, but peripheral device control capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational costVSAvoidperipheral device control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the control architecture so that peripheral device control is separated from modem operation. The controller can independently manage peripheral devices by directly communicating with the USIM card, maintaining device control versatility while reducing operational costs through modem shutdown.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is designed with multi-functionality, capable of both managing communication modem operations and directly controlling peripheral devices through USIM card communication. This universal capability ensures that device control functions remain available even when the modem is not operational.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8942734B2Apparatus and method for peripheral device control in portable terminal

Publication Date: 2015.01.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus and a method for a peripheral device control in a portable terminal are provided. In the method for the peripheral device control in the portable terminal, the method includes selectively changing a communication path between a communication modem and a storage to a communication path between a controller and the storage by controlling a switch when the communication modem is turned off, determining information necessary for the peripheral device control through the communication path between the controller and the storage and controlling the peripheral device when the information satisfies a control condition.