Wireless Device Pairing via Wired Pin Code Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of pairing wireless devices, such as headphones and mobile phones, often requires users to manually enter a pin code, which can be cumbersome due to the small size of mobile devices and lack of user-friendly interfaces, and is prone to errors, leading to failed pairing attempts.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves using a wired link to transport the pin code between devices, eliminating the need for user input and enabling automated pairing by detecting and utilizing both wired and wireless data links to authenticate and complete the pairing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual pin code entry is required for pairing wireless devices, then security and authentication are ensured, but user convenience and ease of operation deteriorate due to small device size and cumbersome input requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepairing authenticationVSAvoidpin code entry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A wired connection serves as an intermediary channel to automatically transmit the pin code from the host device to the wireless device, eliminating the need for manual user input while maintaining secure authentication. The wired link acts as a mediator that bridges the two devices during the pairing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically retrieving and transmitting the pin code through the wired connection without requiring user intervention. The host device automatically provides the pin code to the wireless device, making the pairing process autonomous and convenient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If automated pin code transmission via wired link is implemented, then ease of operation and user convenience are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional wired connection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepairing processVSAvoidconnection infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wired connection is utilized for multiple purposes: it serves as both a power supply channel and a data transmission channel for pin code delivery. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated infrastructure, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The wired link acts as a temporary intermediary during the pairing process, facilitating automated pin code transmission. Once pairing is complete, the wired connection is not needed for wireless communication, so the complexity burden is limited to the pairing phase only.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If wired link is used for pin code transport, then pairing automation and reliability are improved, but loss of time is reduced only when wired connection is already available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepin code entryVSAvoidpairing setup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares for pairing by detecting the availability of a wired connection before initiating the pin code transmission process. This preliminary detection ensures that the automated pin code delivery can proceed immediately without delays, maximizing the time-saving benefit when the wired link is already in place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7913297B2Pairing of wireless devices using a wired medium
Publication Date: 2011.03.22 APPLE INC
  • US7913297B2 patent drawing
  • US7913297B2 patent drawing
  • US7913297B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Techniques that facilitate pairing of wireless devices with other wireless devices are disclosed. According to one aspect, a pair of wireless devices can be paired for wireless data exchange using an available wired link. Advantageously, the wired link can be used to transport a pin code from one of the wireless devices to the other. Consequently, pairing of the wireless devices can be completed without necessitating user entry of a pin code so long as the wired link is available.