Wireless Nearness Calculation for Portable Terminal Device Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In building and home network systems, identifying the intended apparatus for operation or maintenance using existing methods is time-consuming and inefficient, especially when apparatuses are installed on ceilings, as it requires visual reading of identification numbers and can lead to misidentification due to overlapping wireless communication ranges.
Innovation Solution
A network system that measures reception electric field intensity or transmission delay time between apparatuses and a portable terminal device, calculates nearness degrees, selects a candidate target apparatus, and requests operations to confirm user intent, allowing accurate identification without cumbersome user effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the communication range of the wireless communication unit is narrowed to prevent misidentification, then apparatus identification accuracy is improved, but user operation convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical approach of narrowing wireless communication range with an information-processing approach. Instead of restricting signal propagation physically, the system measures reception electric field intensity or transmission delay time to calculate nearness degrees, then uses logical processing to identify the nearest apparatus. This substitutes a physical constraint with an intelligent selection algorithm, maintaining wide communication coverage while achieving accurate identification through data analysis.
2Measurement precision
If the portable terminal device is placed close to the apparatus for accurate identification, then apparatus identification accuracy is improved, but work time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the portable terminal device to automatically identify the target apparatus without requiring user intervention to physically position it near the apparatus. The terminal device autonomously measures wireless communication parameters, calculates nearness degrees, and selects the nearest apparatus automatically. This self-service capability eliminates the time-consuming manual positioning process while maintaining accurate identification, allowing users to simply point the terminal toward the general area rather than precisely position it.
3Measurement precision
If visual reading of apparatus identification number is required, then apparatus identification accuracy is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual reading process with automated wireless measurement and calculation. Instead of requiring users to visually locate and read apparatus identification numbers from stickers or labels, the system automatically measures reception electric field intensity or transmission delay time through wireless communication, calculates nearness degrees, and identifies the target apparatus programmatically. This substitution of manual visual inspection with automated electronic measurement dramatically improves work efficiency while maintaining accurate identification.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate identification of the intended apparatus without requiring users to be physically close, reducing time and effort, and eliminating the need to restrict wireless communication ranges, even for ceiling-mounted apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
measuring means for measuring a reception electric field intensity or a transmission delay time in wireless communication between each of multiple apparatuses connected to a network and a portable terminal device
Data Source
AI summary
A reception electric field intensity or a transmission delay time in wireless communication between each of multiple apparatuses connected to one and the same network and a portable terminal device is measured. Degrees of nearness, where a degree of nearness indicates a nearness between each of the multiple apparatuses and the portable terminal device in a numerical value are calculated based on a measurement result. One apparatus is selected from among the multiple apparatuses as a candidate target apparatus based on the degrees of nearness calculated. The candidate target apparatus selected is requested to execute a predetermined. A decision on whether or not to approve the candidate target apparatus selected is received from the user, and the candidate target apparatus is identified as a work-target apparatus intended by the user when the user has approved.