Interactive Whiteboard Host Device Automatic Client Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional whiteboard systems require manual and time-consuming processes for adding new user devices, especially when multiple devices need to be connected at different times, making the connection establishment lengthy and inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

A method where client devices continuously broadcast a notification signal, which is received by the host device to execute a scanning process, allowing the host device to set a representative icon based on device information and notify the client to stop broadcasting, simplifying the connection process by using a pre-established icon base for easy identification and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual scanning process is executed on host device or user device to add new client devices, then connection can be established, but the process is time-consuming and inconvenient especially when multiple devices need to be connected at different time points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of adding client deviceVSAvoidconnection establishment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of the host device actively scanning for client devices, the patent inverts the approach by having client devices continuously broadcast their presence information. The host device simply receives these broadcasts and automatically adds devices, eliminating the need for manual scanning operations and significantly reducing connection establishment time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

Client devices automatically broadcast their presence information without requiring manual initiation from the host device. This self-service mechanism allows the system to continuously announce available devices, enabling automatic connection establishment when users select from the displayed list, thereby eliminating manual scanning processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple user devices are added to the whiteboard system at different time points, then each device can be connected individually, but the related process must be executed manually and separately at each time point

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to connect multiple devicesVSAvoidconvenience of adding devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Client devices continuously broadcast their presence information rather than waiting for periodic scanning. This continuous broadcast mechanism ensures that the host device always has current information about available client devices, allowing users to add multiple devices at different time points without repeating manual scanning processes, thereby maintaining adaptability while improving convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9857942B2Method of connecting device adapted to interactive whiteboard system and host device thereof

Publication Date: 2018.01.02 WISTRON CORP

AI summary

A method of connecting device adapted to an interactive whiteboard system and a host device thereof are provided. The host device has an interactive display device. The method includes the following steps. A scanning process is executed to receive a notification signal which is continuously broadcast by a first client device. A representative icon is obtained from an icon base, and the representative icon is set according to device information of the first client device in the notification signal, such that the representative icon is related to the first client device. The representative icon is displayed on the interactive display device, and then a broadcast termination signal is transmitted back to the first client device after the representative icon is displayed. After receiving the broadcast termination signal, the first client device stops broadcasting the notification signal.