WPD Driver Interface for Bluetooth Low Energy Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an effective interface between Windows-based machines and Bluetooth low energy devices to enable seamless communication and control, as existing technologies lack efficient methods for interfacing these devices, particularly in scenarios where power consumption and compatibility are critical.
Innovation Solution
A Windows Portable Devices (WPD) interface system and method that utilizes a WPD driver to enable Windows-based machines to communicate with Bluetooth low energy devices, allowing access, transmission, and control of information through the Generic Attribute Profile (GATT), which generates logical or virtual representations of peripheral devices as WPD objects, enabling interaction and management of services and characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If Bluetooth low energy devices are deployed widely to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but compatibility and interface complexity with Windows-based machines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the WPD interface multi-functional to handle various BLE device types and operations through a single standardized interface. The interface can manage different device categories (medical, fitness, audio, etc.), perform multiple operations (data transfer, control, monitoring), and support various GATT service types, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized interfaces while maintaining broad compatibility with Windows-based machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The WPD interface acts as an intermediary layer between the BLE device and the Windows-based machine. It translates between the GATT protocol used by BLE devices and the Windows Portable Devices API, handling protocol conversion, data formatting, and operation mapping. This mediator approach simplifies the interface complexity by abstracting the underlying protocol differences and providing a unified access point for applications.
2Ease of operation
If a standardized interface is implemented to improve compatibility, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating virtual representations of BLE devices as WPD devices within the Windows system. Instead of requiring applications to directly interact with the complex GATT protocol, the system creates simplified virtual device objects that replicate the essential functionality and data structure of the actual BLE devices. This copying approach maintains ease of operation while managing system complexity through abstraction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing Bluetooth interfaces are used, then device compatibility is maintained, but communication efficiency and control capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the interface parameters and data structures to optimize communication efficiency while maintaining compatibility. The WPD interface uses optimized data formats, efficient transfer protocols, and streamlined operation sequences that improve communication speed and reduce overhead compared to traditional Bluetooth interfaces, while still supporting the same device types and operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are provided in which a Windows Portable Devices (WPD) driver installed and executed on a central device enables one or more applications on that device to interface with a peripheral device, such as a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) device. The peripheral device may utilize a Generic Attribute Profile (GATT) to interface with the WPD driver. Through the WPD driver, the central device may access, transmit, receive, and/or modify information associated with the peripheral device and/or control the peripheral device. The information associated with the peripheral device may include services, characteristics, and/or descriptors. A WPD device and objects that logically or virtually represents the peripheral device may be generated to map attributes of the WPD device to services and/or characteristics associated with the peripheral device. More than one WPD device may be available when multiple peripheral devices are represented in the central device.