TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The disclosure is generally related to the detection of simultaneous proximity of
two devices. The devices could be at least two devices including, but not limited
to phones, smartphones, PCs, Laptops, automobiles, scooters, Internet of
Things (IOT) devices, Bluetooth beacons, ibeacon etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Proximity Sensors convert information on the movement or presence of an
object into an electronic signal. Proximity Sensors are able to detect the
presence of the object electronically, without having to touch it.
A proximity sensor is available in most smartphones available and it helps in
detecting if the phone is close to the ear of the user, so that the touchscreen
can be switched off, to prevent accidental pressing of buttons on the screen.
The present invention creates a mechanism for communication using proximity
sensors without the need for any explicit device to device pairing. It repurposes
the proximity sensor in a manner to detect if another device D2 is close to the
first device, D1. It also enables exchange of information based on Bluetooth
beacons and NFC (Near Field Communication) which can include information
exchange that enable payments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This need may be met by the subject-matter according to the independent
claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described by
the independent claims. The following discloses a simplified summary of the
specification in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the
specification. This summary is not an extensive overview of the specification. It
is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the specification nor
delineate the scope of the specification. Its sole purpose is to disclose some
concepts of the specification in a simplified form as a prelude to the more
detailed description that is disclosed later.
2
According to first exemplary aspect of the invention a method for simultaneous
proximity detection of at least two devices is provided, wherein the method
comprises detecting simultaneously each other by at least two devices by their
proximity sensors, sending by the devices to a server at least one parameter
defining proximity with each other, determining by the server simultaneous
proximity of the devices on the basis of parameters defining proximity, and
causing the devices to communicate with each other. The said method is
performed by a device by involving its structural features. Such device
communicate with at ieast another similar device in a system via a server to
perform the said method.
Further, according to the second exemplary aspect of the invention, the said
method, device and system is being operated wherein the device acts as the
common server,
Furthermore, according to the third exemplary aspect of the invention, in the
said method, device and server, the parameters defining proximity may include
a timestamp or a position or a battery power or signal strength of Bluetooth
based beacon or or signal strength of NFC, or signal strength of wifi from the
devices or from a third device which is used as a reference device or a
combination of these.
Additionally, according to fourth aspect of the invention, in the said method,
device and server, the server or the devices are synchronized to a common
clock.
In another exemplary aspect, the server or the devices are asynchronized to a
common clock.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates the different steps of initiating action based on potential
simultaneous detection of proximity, leading to actual determination of
simultaneous detection of proximity between two devices.
3
Fig. 2 illustrates one example of steps initiated after potential simultaneous
detection of proximity that leads to actual determination of simultaneous
detection of proximity between two devices
FIG. 3 illustrates the elements of status reports of devices which is sent in
"simultaneous detection of proximity" request from device to the server.
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary procedure for the communication establishment
between the two devices.
Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary devices D1 and D2 which are communicating
with a servers.
FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary procedure for the Simultaneous Detection of
Proximity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
FiG. 1 shows the overall process for Simultaneous Proximity detection. In 110,
the first device D1 detects that it is in proximity to another device that has
-tr-iggered--Jts--Pxoximity--sensQL^
smartphones available and it helps in detecting if the phone is close to the ear
of the user, so that the touchscreen can be switched off, to prevent accidental
pressing of buttons on the screen. The proximity sensor detects if another
device is close to the first device, D1. In 120, Device D2, detects if it is in
proximity to another device by noting the triggering off of its proximity sensor.
In 130, device D1 initiates processes based on potential simultaneous proximity
detection. In 140, device D2 initiates processes based on potential
simultaneous proximity detection.
In 150, the processes initiated by devices D1 and D2 may lead to confirmation
of actual simultaneous proximity detection and may lead to information
exchange or other actions.
In the above steps in Fig.1, it is assumed that the clocks of device D1 and
device D2 are synchronized to a common clock such as the clock of the telecom
operator.
FIG. 2 shows an example of steps initiated after potential simultaneous
detection of proximity that leads to actual determination of simultaneous
detection of proximity between two devices, in 210, the first device D1 detects
that it is in proximity to another device that has triggered its Proximity sensor.
A proximity sensor is available in most smartphones available and it helps in
detecting if the phone is close to the ear of the user, so that the touchscreen
can be switched off, to prevent accidental pressing of buttons on the screen.
The proximity sensor detects if another device is close to the first device, D1.
In 220, Device D2, detects if it is in proximity to another device by noting the
triggering off of its proximity sensor.
In 230, device D1 sends at least one parameter defining proximity to a common
Server for determination of Simultaneous proximity with any other device. In
240, device D2 also sends at least one parameter defining proximity to the
common Server for determination of Simultaneous proximity with any other
device.
Tn 250, based on the information received by D1 and D2, the common server
decides if a Simultaneous proximity event has occurred and sends the decision
to the two requesting devices, D1 and D2.
One of the two devices may also act as the common server.
In the above steps in Fig.1, it is assumed that the clocks of device D1, device
D2 and common Server are synchronized to a common clock such as the clock
of the telecom operator.
Fig. 3 illustrates the parameter defining proximity that device D1 and device D2
may send to the common server. The parameter defining proximity consists of
timestamp of proximity detection by device D1 and by Device D2 (310). it may
also consist of position of the two devices D1 and D2 that may be acquired
through other sensors of the devices D1 and D2 (320). The devices may send
other additional information to the server as part of 330, which may help the
common server in a more accurate assessment of the proximity of the two
devices.
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary procedure for the Simultaneous Detection of
Proximity. Step 400 and the step 430 are the initiation steps wherein the
devices D1 and D2 may start the process of being in a state where it attempts
to detect proximity to another device through their proximity sensor. In step 410
device D1 detects potential proximity to device 2, through the triggering of its
proximity sensor. In step 440 device D2 detects potential proximity to device
D1, through the triggering of its proximity sensor. In step 420, device D1, sends
the information packet illustrated in Fig 3, to the common server. In step 450,
device D2, sends the information packet illustrated in Fig 3, to the common
server.
In 460, the common server checks if the devices D1 and D2 have sent their
proximity check request with similar timestamp. Based on its analysis of the
timestamps and other information of potential proximity detection by the two
devices D1 and D2, the common server ascertains occurrence of simultaneous
proximity detection. In 470, the common server sends its verdict to either or
both devices D1 and D2 or to a third entity on whether a simultaneous proximity
happened or not.
The common server could also be one or both of the devices D1 and D2.
Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary devices D1 and D2 which are communicating
with a server S. There may be more than two devices communicating with each
other in accordance with the invention defined hereinabove. The server S may
be one of the said devices. The exemplary devices D1, D2 comprises a
proximity sensor (PXS), a transmitter (T), a receiver (R), a memory (M1) and a
processor (P1) which are in connection with each other.
The exemplary server S comprises at least a processor (P) and a memory (M).
A Simultaneous Proximity detection occurs when two devices are able to
establish that they are in proximity to each other at similar point in time.
In 500, device D1 faces device D2. In 510, D2 faces D1. In 520, proximity
sensor of D1 is triggered by the proximity of D2 in 525, wherein D1 comes
closer than the defined proximity (540). Similarly, in 530, the proximity sensor
of D2 is triggered due to proximity of D1 in 525, wherein D2 comes closer than
the defined proximity (540).
FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary procedure for the Simultaneous Detection of
Proximity. Step 600 is the initiation step wherein the device D1 may start the
process of being in a state where it attempts to detect proximity to another
device through their proximity sensor. In step 610, Device D2 continues to
broadcast its Device identifier. This identifier could be a blluetooth beacon or a
wifi name or Bluetooth name or any other mechanism or a combination of these.
In step 620 device D1 detects potential proximity to device 2, through the
triggering of its proximity sensor. In step 630, Device D1 captures the identifier
of Device D2. In step 640, device D1, sends the information packet illustrated
in Fig 3, to the common server.
In 650, the common server checks if the devices D1 has sent proximity check
request with a Device identifier that is a valid identifier. Based on its analysis of
the device identifier and other information of potential proximity detection by the
device D1, the common server ascertains occurrence of simultaneous proximity
jieteMon .J nJS&O ,ihe_commo
D1 and D2 on whether a simultaneous proximity happened or not.
The common server could also be one or both of the devices D1 and D2.
Once the devices recognize the corresponding devices, the devices are then
able to trigger applications and behavior of the devices that are relevant to the
context. For example, if one device is a tablet in a restaurant and the other
device is a smartphone in the hands of a consumer, then after the above
process of simultaneous detection of proximity, the consumer smartphone can
display the menu of the restaurant and the consumer can order her food from
the menu displayed in her smartphone. Similarly, if a merchant has an app that
allows payment amount to be captured and when a consumer opens a
corresponding app and swipes it on the merchant smartphone, the consumer
app shows the amount to be billed that has been entered by the merchant,
thereby allowing the consumer to make the payment of that amount through
various mechanisms,
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and
described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within
the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person
skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one
skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the
drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed
by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur
to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the
invention.

We claim:
1. A method for detecting simultaneous proximity of at least two devices,
comprising:
detecting simultaneously each other's proximity by at least two devices
by their proximity sensors;
sending by the at least one device to a server at least one parameter
defining proximity with each other;
determining by the server simultaneous proximity of the devices on the
basis of parameters defining proximity; and
causing either the devices to communicate with each other through the
parameter defining the proximity or to performing any other action or
causing any other action or activity with any other set of devices or
programs.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein any of the devices acts as
the common server.
3. The method as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the parameters defining
proximity include a timestamp or a position or a battery power or using
signal strength of Bluetooth based beacon or Bluetooth or signal
strength of NFC (Near Field Communication), or signal strength of wifi
from the devices or from a third device which is used as a reference
device or a combination of these.
4. The method as claimed in claims any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the server
or the devices are synchronized to a common clock.
5. The method as claimed in claims any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the server
or the devices are not synchronized to a common clock.
6. A device for detecting simultaneous proximity of at least one another
device, comprising:
a proximity sensor for detecting simultaneously the said at least one
another device;
a transmitter for sending to a server at least one parameter defining
proximity with each other devices; and
a receiver for receiving from the server indication to cause the devices
to either communicate with each other or perform any other action or
causing any other action or activity with any other set of devices or
programs, after determining by the server simultaneous proximity of the
devices on the basis of parameters defining proximity.
7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the device acts as the
common server.
8. The device as claimed in claims 6 or 7, wherein the parameters defining
proximity include a timestamp or a position or a battery power or using
signal strength of Bluetooth based beacon or signal strength of wifi from
the devices or from a third device which is used as a reference device
or a combination of these.
9. The device as claimed in claims any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the server
or the devices are synchronized to a common clock.
lG.The_-devJce--as-xlaime-dJa.cla^
devices are not synchronized to a common clock.
11. A system for detecting simultaneous proximity of at least two devices,
by either of the devices:
at least two devices for detecting their proximity by either of their
proximity sensors;
either of the device for sending to a server at least one parameter
defining proximity with the other;
the server for determining proximity of the devices on the basis of
parameters defining proximity; and
causing the devices to either communicate with each other or perform
any other action or causing any other action or activity with any other set
of devices or programs.
12.The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein any of the devices acts as
the common server.
13.The system as claimed in claims 11 or 12, wherein the parameters
defining proximity include a Device Identifier of the otherdevice that may
include identifier of the Bluetooth beacon, name of the device Bluetooth,
identifier for NFC, timestamp or a position or a battery power or using
signal strength of Bluetooth based beacon or signal strength of NFC, or
signal strength of WiFi from the devices or from a third device which is
used as a reference device or a combination of these.
14.The system as claimed in claims any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the
server or the devices are synchronized to a common clock.
15.The system as claimed in claims any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the
server or the devices are not synchronized to a common clock.