Wireless Docking Signal Threshold Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic wireless docking of portable devices can lead to unintended and insecure connections with nearby docking stations, compromising privacy and security, as devices within communication range may attempt to dock without user control, potentially exposing sensitive information to unauthorized viewers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where the portable device measures the received signal characteristic level and compares it to a determined threshold to control the initiation of docking, ensuring that docking only occurs when the signal strength exceeds a minimum required level for secure communication, allowing user-configurable control over the docking process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic docking is enabled when the portable device discovers a docking station, then the docking procedure can be initiated automatically, but the device may connect to unintended docking stations compromising privacy and security
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of signal strength threshold from a fixed minimum to a dynamically determined value based on environmental measurements. The system measures the received signal characteristic level and compares it to a determined threshold that exceeds the minimum signal strength level, ensuring docking only occurs when the portable device is within a predetermined proximity to the intended docking station.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the received signal characteristic level and provides feedback to the docking control logic. By comparing the measured signal level against the determined threshold, the system can determine whether to initiate docking, thereby preventing automatic connection to unintended stations while maintaining automated docking functionality.
2Reliability
If the communication range is extended to 10 meters or more for high quality connection, then the wireless docking connection quality is improved, but the device may attempt to dock with stations beyond user awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a predetermined proximity requirement by setting a signal strength threshold that corresponds to a specific physical distance. This transforms the connection quality parameter into a controlled docking initiation condition, ensuring that even though the communication range extends to 10 meters or more, docking only occurs when the signal strength indicates the device is within the predetermined proximity of the intended docking station.
Solution Approach 2:
The received signal characteristic level serves as an intermediary parameter between the physical distance and the docking initiation decision. Instead of directly using distance measurements, the system uses signal strength as a mediator to determine whether the portable device is close enough to the docking station to warrant automatic docking, thereby maintaining user awareness and control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple docking stations are within range, then the portable device has more docking options, but it may attempt to dock with the wrong station
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the docking initiation criterion from simple discovery to signal strength-based verification. By requiring the received signal characteristic level to exceed a determined threshold, the system ensures that docking is only initiated when the portable device is in close proximity to a docking station, thereby improving the accuracy of station identification even when multiple stations are within communication range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs an additional verification step beyond simple discovery by measuring and comparing signal strength levels. This partial action (signal level comparison) is added to the docking initiation process to ensure accuracy, preventing automatic docking with the wrong station while maintaining the ability to connect to multiple valid stations.
Data Source
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AI summary
Configurability and controllability over the initiation of automatic docking for a portable device seeking to dock wirelessly with a docking station in a wireless docking system environment are achieved by the method and system disclosed herein.. The portable device detects the docking station in the wireless docking environment. When the docking station is detected, a communication path is established between the portable device and the docking station. A received signal characteristic level is measured for a received signal. The received signal characteristic level is compared to a determined threshold so that, at least when the received signal level exceeds the determined threshold, docking the portable device to the docking station is able to be completed. The determined threshold is preferably based on signal measurements made for the received signal characteristic level which exceeds a minimum signal strength level required for establishing communication between the portable device and the docking station.