METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING DATA BETWEEN TWO SUBSCRIBERS

Abstract

The invention relates to method for transmitting data between a first subscriber (22) and a second subscriber (24) using at least one conversion unit (10), wherein the first subscriber (22), the second subscriber (24) and the conversion unit (10) are configured in each case for wireless near-field data transmission with a first transmission method and a second transmission method. The second transmission method has a plurality of variants, wherein the first subscriber (22) and the second subscriber (24) are configured in each case to carry out only those variants which are incompatible with one another. An identifier is transmitted by the conversion unit (10) in a first step using the first transmission method. This identifier of the conversion unit (10) is received by the subscribers (22, 24) using the first transmission method. A direct wireless connection is furthermore set up between the subscriber (22) and the subscriber (24) using the first transmission method, wherein identifications of the subscribers (22, 24) and/or the identifier of the conversion unit (10) are exchanged.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A method for transmitting data between a first subscriber and a second subscriber using at least one conversion unit, wherein the first subscriber, the second subscriber and the conversion unit are in each case configured for wireless data transmission in the near field with a first transmission method and a second transmission method, wherein the maximum data transmission rate of the second transmission method is higher than that of the first transmission method, wherein the second transmission method has a plurality of variants and wherein the first subscriber and the second subscriber are configured in each case to carry out only those variants which are incompatible with one another, comprising the steps of: a) periodic transmission of an identifier by the conversion unit and periodic transmission of an identification by the first subscriber and the second subscriber using the first transmission method, b) reception of the identifier of the conversion unit by the first subscriber and the second subscriber using the first transmission method, wherein the subscribers and the conversion unit similarly receive the transmitted identifications of the subscribers, c) setting up a direct wireless connection between the first subscriber and the second subscriber using the first transmission method, wherein the identifications of the subscribers and optionally the identifier of the conversion unit are exchanged. characterized in that the conversion unit is configured to carry out at least one variant of each subscriber, and in that the method furthermore comprises: d) setting up a connection switched by the conversion unit between the first subscriber and the second subscriber, wherein the subscribers in each case set up a connection to the conversion unit using the second transmission method and the conversion unit forwards data from the first subscriber to the second subscriber and, conversely, forwards data from the second subscriber to the first subscriber.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that metadata are exchanged via the direct wireless connection between the two subscribers, wherein the metadata are selected from information relating to the type of data to be transmitted, information relating to the data format, information relating to the required quality of the transmission, the quantity of data to be transmitted or a combination of at least two of these information elements.

19. The method as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that a subscriber, after receiving the identifier of the conversion unit, sets up a connection to the conversion unit using the first and/or the second transmission method, wherein the subscriber transmits its identification to the conversion unit.

20. The method as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that, for the forwarding of the data by the conversion unit according to step d), the subscribers transmit their respective identification to the conversion unit, wherein the conversion unit identifies the subscribers via their identification in the forwarding of the data.

21. The method as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the first transmission method is Bluetooth Low Energy.

22. The method as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the variants of the second transmission method are selected from Wi-Fi Direct, Multipeer Connectivity Framework, CFNetwork or Bluetooth (not Low Energy).

23. The method as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that, if a plurality of variants of the second transmission method are available for a connection between the conversion unit and a subscriber, the currently fastest available variant is selected.

24. The method as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that at least one subscriber is implemented as a mobile device, in particular as a Smartphone or as a tablet.

25. The method as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that one of the two subscribers is implemented as a server on which data are stored for retrieval.

26. A conversion unit characterized in that the conversion unit comprises first transmission means and second transmission means and is configured for use in the method as claimed in claim 17.

27. The conversion unit as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that the conversion unit comprises two or more transmission units which are configured in each case to use a different variant of the second transmission method.

28. The conversion unit as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that the conversion unit comprises a first transmission unit which is configured to carry out the Bluetooth Low Energy transmission method.

29. The conversion unit as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that the second transmission units are configured in each case to carry out variants of the second transmission method selected from Wi-Fi Direct, Multipeer Connectivity Framework, CFNetwork or Bluetooth (not Low Energy).

30. The conversion unit as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that at least one transmission unit is implemented as a mobile device, in particular as a Smartphone or tablet, wherein the mobile device is connected to the conversion unit.

31. A computer program which carries out the steps of the method as claimed in claim 17 which are to be carried out by a subscriber when said computer program runs on a computer.

32. The computer program which carries out the steps of the method as claimed in claim 17 which are to be carried out by the conversion unit, when said computer program runs on a computer.

Description

[0070] FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of the method according to the invention. The figure shows the subject-matter of the invention in schematic form only.

[0071] FIG. 1 shows a conversion unit 10 comprising a computer 12, a first transmission means 14 and two second transmission means 16. The computer 12 is connected to the first transmission means 14 and the two second transmission means 16. The first transmission means 14 is configured here to carry out a first transmission method and the second transmission means 16 are configured in each case to carry out a variant of a second transmission method. The first transmission method is, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy and the second transmission methods are different variants of WLAN-based transmission methods. One variant is, for example, Wi-Fi Direct and the other variant is, for example, Multipeer Connectivity Framework.

[0072] In one embodiment, the computer 12 is a computer available under the name of “Mac Mini” (from Apple, USA) and already includes the first transmission means 14 as a component contained in the Mac Mini in order to communicate by means of Bluetooth Low Energy. The Mac Mini already includes a second transmission means 16 which is configured to communicate by means of the Multipeer Connectivity Framework. In order to be able to communicate by means of Wi-Fi Direct also, a mobile device 18 is connected to the computer 12 as the further second transmission means 16. The mobile device 18 is implemented, for example, as a Smartphone which uses Android as the operating system.

[0073] Two subscribers 22 and 24 can furthermore be seen in FIG. 1. Each of the two subscribers 22 and 24 is configured to communicate by means of the first transmission method, here Bluetooth Low Energy. Furthermore, in the example shown, the first subscriber 22 is also configured for communication with a second transmission method, i.e. here by means of Wi-Fi Direct. In the example shown, the second subscriber 24 is similarly configured to carry out a second transmission method, here the Multipeer Connectivity Framework. The first subscriber 22, for example an Android-based Smartphone, is therefore able to communicate by means of the second transmission method with the second subscriber 24, here an iOS-based Smartphone.

[0074] In the proposed method, it is provided that the conversion unit 10 transmits its identifier and said identifier is received by the two subscribers 22, 24. This is indicated in FIG. 1 with the arrows with reference number 30. The two subscribers 22 and 24 initially set up a direct wireless connection to one another for the data transmission, wherein the first transmission method, here Bluetooth Low Energy, is used. This connection is indicated in FIG. 1 with the reference number 32. The two subscribers 22 and 24 exchange their identifications via the direct wireless connection 32 via which said subscribers are uniquely identifiable and, if necessary, can transmit metadata relating to the data to be transmitted. In the next step, each of the two subscribers 22, 24 sets up a wireless connection to the conversion unit 10 using the respectively supported variant of the second transmission method. These connections are indicated in FIG. 1 in each case with an arrow with the reference number 34. Each of the two subscribers 22, 24 transmits its identification to the conversion unit 10. The two subscribers 22, 24 can then quickly transmit data from one subscriber to the respective other subscriber, wherein the data are first transmitted by means of the connections 34 set up using the second transmission means to the conversion unit 10 which forwards said data to the respective other subscriber 22, 24. On completion of the data transmission, the connections can be disconnected once more.

[0075] The subject-matter of the invention is also a system which has a server to which the clients can log in, indicating the platform on which and the format in which the data to be transmitted are dispatched by them and the format in which they expect the data which are to be received from other clients, so that said data can be further processed by the respective client, a conversion unit which converts the data formats of the clients into the data formats required by other clients and makes them available on demand, a unit for selecting the data transmission paths which are to be used for the converted data formats, wherein the availability of the respective data transmission path and the highest possible data transmission rate are priority selection criteria, in such a way that the data transmission path offering the highest data transmission rate with a given availability is used, and a connection unit which forwards the converted data onto the respectively selected data transmission paths.

[0076] Here, a client is a subscriber participating in the communication enabled by the system. The system comprising the conversion unit and the clients or subscribers is configured to carry out the described methods so that features described in relation to the method are disclosed for the system and, conversely, features described in relation to the system are disclosed for the method.

[0077] In practice, the clients may preferably be Smartphones working with different operating systems such as, for example, Android or iOS, which cannot normally communicate with one another due to the different platforms. However, other mobile devices such as, for example, tablets, are also conceivable. However, the system according to the invention is not limited hereto.

[0078] A server is understood in this context to mean a unit which is able to process the data of a client in the conversion unit so that a client on a different platform can further process the converted data. The server may be designed, for example in the trade fair domain, i.e. where a stationary counter is available for presentation purposes, as a stationary central unit such as a PC.

[0079] However, it may also be designed as a functional unit of one of the clients, i.e. the last client to dispatch data. All other present and logged in clients are then connected and retrieve the new message. As soon as they have retrieved the message, they themselves again become servers in order to forward the message.

[0080] The system according to the invention is advantageously configured so that, following the interruption of the data transmission on one data transmission path, the data transmission is seamlessly resumed on a different available data transmission path. As a result, data losses during the data transmission, but also any repeated data transmissions which otherwise become necessary, are avoided.

[0081] The system is preferably designed so that the login of the clients on the server is initiated by a software application stored in the clients following reception of initialization signals from Bluetooth transmitters in the peripheral role in the clients. Therefore, as soon as a client enters the near field of the Bluetooth transmitters, a “handshake” (mediation) takes place between the client and the server, wherein the method of communication between the two devices is negotiated. The approach of a client to a Bluetooth transmitter results in an outright “wake-up” of the client and the software stored in it.

[0082] Near field is understood here to mean the field around the Bluetooth transmitter within which the signal of the Bluetooth transmitter can be received by a client.

[0083] The data transmission paths used for the data transmission are preferably selected according to a strictly hierarchical system in which the data transmission rates known per se of the data transmission paths are used in ascending order for the data transmission. It is therefore ensured that the respectively fastest available data transmission path is used.

[0084] Alternatively, it can be provided in the system that the data transmission paths are selected using a real-time test of their respective data transmission rates. In this method, previously stored fixed values for the data transmission rate are not therefore used, but rather data transmission rates actually measured in real time and available.

[0085] The following data transmission paths are preferably used in the system: TCP/IP, Bluetooth Low Energy, Multipeer Connectivity Framework and/or the Internet. This list can be supplemented at any time with the emergence of new technologies.

[0086] The infrastructures which are intended to be supported are defined in a service. The system then links the corresponding connectors, which are understood here to mean de facto adapters, used by the system in order to set up the fastest available connection and to transmit and receive the message in the negotiated transmission standard.

[0087] If an application then wishes to search for remote stations with the same service, the system uses all available connectors (implemented by the service) in order to find these remote stations.

[0088] A connection begins with the exchange of the identifiers of both peers (remote stations). Each remote station, each terminal device can be uniquely identified via this peer identifier or identification. Every infrastructure can be connected to a remote station across all network topologies.

[0089] If the infrastructure of one connector is lost (e.g. because the application is placed in the background and e.g. the TCP/IP connections are automatically capped by the operating system), the system switches to the next fastest infrastructure. If a message has just been transmitted, the message is forwarded at the same place.

[0090] Bluetooth Low Energy is a special case here: since the transmission rates are very limited, the possibility exists e.g. of the exclusive exchange of the peer identifiers if no other ad-hoc infrastructure is available. A Web server can then be accessed with these peer identifiers and a “tunneled” connection can be set up between the two terminal devices: Peer A connects to the Web server and indicates that it requires a connection to Peer B. Peer B in turn indicates to the Web server that it would like to be connected to Peer A. The Web server then provides a buffer, receives messages from both parties and forwards them to the respective partner.

[0091] Finally, it can be provided that the data to be transmitted are encrypted in the system with AES or RSA. This obviously serves to increase data security.

[0092] An example of the use of the system according to the invention is given below in addition to the embodiments described in the claims:

[0093] An end use shows the image of a virtual calling card of person A on a Smartphone on which a special app is running. Person A then meets person B who owns a Smartphone with the same app which implements the same service. The two Smartphones are interconnected via the system. Person A now drags the virtual calling card on the display of his Smartphones with his finger from left to right. This calling card should then appear to person B in the image to the same extent that it has disappeared from the visible area of person A. If the calling card of person A has been completely “swiped” from the visible area and is completely visible to person B, person B obtains the contact data of person A.

[0094] As a result, the contact data and the position of a virtual calling card are intended to be transmitted. It is important for the contact data to be encrypted and complete. The transmission speed is of secondary importance here, so the channel is defined as follows: [0095] Binary—due to the encryption [0096] Notifying—for reliable forwarding.

[0097] Conversely, it is important for the position of the virtual calling cards to be transmitted to the extent possible in real time, so the channel is defined as follows: [0098] Text only (only the horizontal coordinate is transmitted) [0099] Broadcasting—for fast updating.

[0100] Since the message is transmitted as text only, the entire overhead is eliminated. Information indicating how long the message is and whether it has been encrypted or signed is not transmitted. This information is quite simply not required, since text-only channels cannot be encrypted or signed and are ended with a control character (EOM).

[0101] A further example of an application:

[0102] Company x wishes to access the contact data of a user using the system according to the invention. The app will receive the corresponding communication and indicate to the user “Company x wishes to access your contact data”. It must be possible to ensure that no one else can pass themselves off as “company x” in order to get hold of the user data. For this purpose, the public certificates of authorized remote stations (such as companies) are linked in the system. Company x receives the corresponding private certificate and then transmits the communication packets signed with the private certificate. The technical recipient can now verify the authenticity of the sender on the basis of the public certificate and can, for example, indicate the request for access to the contact data only in the case of a positive check.

[0103] An example of a procedure between a hotel guest and a hotelier may appear as follows:

[0104] The hotel guest installs the relevant app for the system. [0105] The app loads stored public certificates from a server at the first start-up and at regular intervals [0106] The hotel guest enters the hotel [0107] A terminal device with the installed app of the hotelier regularly scans the environment and then discovers the terminal device of the hotel guest [0108] The hotelier app generates a random AES password, encrypts it with a standard password stored statically in the app, signs it with a private certificate and transmits the encrypted and signed password to the guest app [0109] The guest app validates the signing of the packet on the basis of the public certificate, decrypts the specific point-to-point password with the generic password and uses this password from then on for the encryption and decryption of all communication packets [0110] Following successful validation, the message “Hotelier wishes to access your contact data” is indicated on the display.

[0111] The system is described briefly in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0112] FIG. 2 shows the simplified structure of the system. An example of the structure of the system according to the invention is shown. It is in no way limited to this simplified representation.

[0113] The following components are shown: the server 1, the clients 2, 3 and 4, shown here as Smartphones, the conversion unit 5 and the Bluetooth transmitter 6. If a client 2, 3 or 4 enters the near field of the Bluetooth transmitter 6, it receives the latter's initialization signals so that the login of the client on the server 1 is initiated by the software application (app) stored on the client. A handshake then takes place between the client 2, 3 or 4 and the server 1, wherein the method of communication between the two devices is negotiated. The result of this handshake obviously depends on the platform on which the respective client is operated. In the case of a Smartphone, this will typically be the Android or iOS platform. However, the operation of the system according to the invention is not limited hereto. In other words, the approach of a client 2, 3 or 4 to the near field of the Bluetooth transmitter 6 to some extent causes a “wake-up” of the client and the software stored in it.

[0114] Once the communication between the client and the server has been negotiated, a communication can be started via a conversion unit 5 in which the data formats of the clients 2, 3 or 4 are converted into the data formats required by other clients logged in to the system and are made available on demand. As mentioned, a further client wishing to communicate with the first client must obviously be logged in for in this purpose. The server 1 therefore determines how and which data formats of a first client must be converted so that a further client can further process the data.

[0115] A connection unit (not shown) which forwards the converted data onto the data transmission paths is provided for the transmission of the data from one client to the next. The data transmission path used for the data transmission is preferably selected according to a strictly hierarchical system. The data transmission rates known per se of the individual data transmission paths (WiFi, GSM, UMTS, LTE, etc.) are used in ascending order for the data transmission, so that it is ensured that the respectively fastest available data transmission path is used.

[0116] The system has, in particular, the following features:

[0117] 1. A system for converting and switching data of clients (2, 3, 4) on identical or different platforms, so that the data of one client can be further processed on the other clients, and for selecting the data transmission paths for this purpose in a near field, having:

[0118] a server (1) to which the clients (2, 3, 4) can log in, indicating the platform on which and the format in which the data to be transmitted are dispatched by them and the format in which they expect the data which are to be received from other clients so that said data can be further processed by the respective client,

[0119] a conversion unit (5) which converts the data formats of the clients (2, 3, 4) into the data formats required by other clients and makes them available on demand,

[0120] a unit for selecting the data transmission paths which are to be used for the converted data formats, wherein the availability of the respective data transmission path and the highest possible data transmission rate are priority selection criteria, in such a way that the data transmission path offering the highest data transmission rate with a given availability is used, and

[0121] a connection unit which forwards the converted data onto the respectively selected data transmission paths.

[0122] 2. The system according to feature 1, in which the server (1) is designed as a stationary central unit.

[0123] 3. The system according to feature 1, in which the server (1) is formed as a functional unit of a client which was the last client to dispatch data.

[0124] 4. The system according to one of features 1 to 3, which is configured so that, following the interruption of the data transmission on one data transmission path, the data transmission is seamlessly resumed on a different available data transmission path without data loss.

[0125] 5. The system according to one of features 1 to 4, in which the login of the clients (2, 3, 4) on the server (1) is initiated by a software application stored in the clients following reception of initialization signals from Bluetooth transmitters (6) in the peripheral role in the clients (2, 3, 4).

[0126] 6. The system according to one of features 1 to 5, in which the data transmission paths are selected on the basis of a strictly hierarchical system in which their known data transmission rates are used in ascending order for the data transmission.

[0127] 7. The system according to one of features 1 to 6, in which the data transmission paths are selected using a real-time test of their respective data transmission rates.

[0128] 8. The system according to one of features 1 to 7, in which the following data transmission paths are used: TCP/IP, Bluetooth Low Energy, Multipeer Connectivity Framework and/or the Internet.

[0129] 9. The system according to one of features 1 to 8, in which the data to be transmitted are encrypted with AES or RSA.

[0130] In connection with the described system, the method according to the invention can also be described with the following features:

[0131] 10. A method for converting and switching data of clients (2, 3, 4) on identical or different platforms, so that the data of one client can be further processed on the other clients, and for selecting the data transmission paths for this purpose in a near field, comprising:

[0132] login of the clients (2, 3, 4) on a server (1), indicating the platform on which and the format in which the data to be transmitted are dispatched by them and the format in which they expect the data which are to be received from other clients so that said data can be further processed by the respective client,

[0133] conversion of the data formats of the clients (2, 3, 4) into the data formats required by other clients and making said data formats available on demand,

[0134] selection of the data transmission paths which are to be used for the converted data formats in the near field, wherein the availability of the respective data transmission path and the highest possible data transmission rate are priority selection criteria, in such a way that the data transmission path offering the highest data transmission rate with a given availability is used, and

[0135] introduction of the converted data onto the respectively selected data transmission paths.

[0136] 11. The method according to feature 10, in which the server (1) is designed as a stationary central unit.

[0137] 12. The method according to feature 10, in which the server (1) is formed as a functional unit of a client which was the last client to dispatch data.

[0138] 13. The method according to one of features 10 to 12, furthermore comprising: the seamless resumption of the data transmission following interruption of the data transmission on one data transmission path on another available data transmission path without data loss.

[0139] 14. The method according to one of features 10 to 13, in which the login of the clients on the server (1) is initiated by a software application stored in the clients following reception of initialization signals from Bluetooth transmitters (6) in the peripheral role in the clients (2, 3, 4).

[0140] 15. The method according to one of features 10 to 14, in which the data transmission paths are selected on the basis of a strictly hierarchical system in which their known data transmission rates are used in ascending order for the data transmission.

[0141] 16. The method according to one of features 10 to 15, in which the data transmission paths are selected using a real-time test of their respective data transmission rates.

[0142] 17. The method according to one of features 10 to 16, in which the following data transmission paths are used: TCP/IP, Bluetooth Low Energy, Multipeer Connectivity Framework and/or the Internet.

[0143] 18. The method according to one of features 10 to 17, in which the data to be transmitted are encrypted with AES or RSA.