Wireless Control Device Proximity Detection for Fast Pairing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless control devices often experience delays in reconnection with host devices when transitioning from sleep mode to active mode, leading to lost user interactions and negative user experiences due to incomplete pairing processes.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a presence detection system that automatically switches the wireless connection from sleep mode to active mode upon detecting a user's proximity, ensuring that the device is paired and ready to receive inputs before user interactions begin, thereby preventing data loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the wireless control device enters sleep mode to conserve battery life, then power consumption is reduced, but reconnection time increases and user interactions may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidreconnection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting user presence before the user actually interacts with the device. When presence is detected, the device proactively transitions from sleep mode to active mode and completes pairing beforehand, so that when the user begins interacting, the connection is already established and no interactions are lost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses presence detection as feedback to dynamically adjust the device's power state and connection status. The detection of a user's proximity triggers automatic state changes, creating a feedback loop that optimizes both power consumption and connection readiness based on actual usage conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the device remains in active mode to ensure immediate responsiveness, then user interactions are not lost, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on real-time conditions. Rather than remaining statically in active mode, the device transitions between sleep and active modes based on detected user presence, optimizing the balance between connection reliability and power consumption by being active only when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device monitors its own usage patterns and automatically manages its power state without user intervention. By detecting presence and autonomously transitioning to active mode, the device serves itself in determining when full functionality is required, eliminating the need for users to manually wake the device while ensuring it's ready when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of energy

If the device requires physical interaction to wake from sleep mode, then power consumption is minimized, but user experience deteriorates due to lost interactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy savingsVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces presence detection as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the device. Instead of requiring direct physical interaction to wake the device, the presence detector acts as an intermediary that senses the user's approach and automatically triggers the wake-up and pairing process, preserving both energy savings and user experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Use of energy by moving object

If the pairing process is delayed until after user interaction begins, then power consumption is reduced, but user interactions are lost during the pairing delay

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidlost user interactions

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the pairing action preliminarily by detecting presence and initiating pairing before the user begins interacting with the device. This ensures that the pairing is complete and the connection is established before any user inputs occur, preventing loss of interactions while still managing power consumption through conditional activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10651950B2Method and system for shortening wireless pairing connection time by detecting an object or body

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 LOGITECH EUROPE SA

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention are directed to control devices configured for use with computing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and devices for shortening wireless reconnection time by determining the presence of an object or body near a device. When the control device detects an object or body in proximity to the device, the control device may automatically establish a wireless connection with a host devices, such that when the control device receives any user interactions, the wireless connection has already been established, preventing loss of data.