Wireless communication system, wireless access point and electronic device

Abstract

A wireless communication system includes a wireless access point and a plurality of electronic devices. The wireless access point transmits a packet including sleep map information. The plurality of electronic devices are connected to the wireless access point via a wireless channel and receive the packet, and operate in a power save mode. Each of the electronic devices disables exchanging data with the wireless access point via the channel for a default period according to the sleep map information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to wireless communication systems, wireless access points, and electronic devices with controllable power-saving mechanisms. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing number of electronic devices capable of using WiFi networks, competition and interference for bandwidth among these devices are becoming more severe. If too many electronic devices need to transmit data simultaneously, their transmission times will increase. This, in turn, will increase the power consumption of these devices and reduce overall transmission performance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In some embodiments, the wireless communication system includes a wireless access point and a plurality of electronic devices. The wireless access point is used to transmit a packet including a sleep permission map. The plurality of electronic devices are used to connect to the wireless access point via a channel and receive the packet, and operate in a power-saving mode. Each of these electronic devices is selectively prohibited from exchanging data with the wireless access point via the channel for a preset period of time according to the sleep permission map information.

[0004] In some implementations, the wireless access point includes a first transceiver circuit, a second transceiver circuit, and a processor circuit. The first transceiver circuit is used to connect to the Internet. The second transceiver circuit is used to connect to a plurality of electronic devices via a channel, wherein these electronic devices operate in a power-saving mode. The processor circuit is used to transmit a packet including a sleep permission map information to the electronic devices via the second transceiver circuit to control the electronic devices to determine, based on the sleep permission map information, whether to prohibit the electronic devices from exchanging data with the second transceiver circuit for a default period.

[0005] In some embodiments, the electronic device includes a transceiver circuit and a processor circuit. The transceiver circuit is configured to connect to a wireless access point via a channel to receive a packet including a sleep permission map. The processor circuit is configured to selectively prevent the transceiver circuit from exchanging data with the wireless access point during a default period of operation in power-saving mode, based on the sleep permission map information.

[0006] The features, implementation, and effects of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, using preferred embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0008] Figure 2A A flowchart illustrating a downlink frame switching method according to some embodiments of this disclosure is provided;

[0009] Figure 2B For the purposes of this disclosure, some embodiments are shown. Figure 1 The timing diagram of downlink frame switching in a wireless communication system;

[0010] Figure 3A A flowchart illustrating an uplink frame switching method according to some embodiments of this disclosure is provided;

[0011] Figure 3B For the purposes of this disclosure, some embodiments are shown. Figure 1 The timing diagram of uplink frame switching in the wireless communication system;

[0012] Figure 4 To illustrate some embodiments according to this disclosure Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the wireless access point in the diagram; and

[0013] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an electronic device is shown according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0014] All terms used herein have their common meanings. The definitions of the above terms in commonly used dictionaries, and examples of the use of any term discussed herein, are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope and meaning of this disclosure. Similarly, this disclosure is not limited to the various embodiments shown in this specification.

[0015] As used herein, "coupled" or "connected" can refer to two or more components making direct physical or electrical contact with each other, or indirectly making direct physical or electrical contact with each other, or to two or more components operating or acting on each other. As used herein, the term "circuit" can refer to a device consisting of at least one transistor and / or at least one active or passive component connected in a certain manner to process signals.

[0016] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any combination of one or more of the listed related items. The terms first, second, third, etc., are used herein to describe and distinguish the individual components. Therefore, a first component may also be referred to as a second component without departing from the intent of this disclosure. For ease of understanding, similar components in the figures will be designated with the same reference numerals.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 100 includes a wireless access point 110 and a plurality of electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n], wherein n can be a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0018] Wireless access point 110 connects to the Internet 101. In different embodiments, multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n] can be various electronic devices with wireless communication capabilities (e.g., but not limited to, smartphones, smart TVs, tablet computers, laptops, desktop computers, home game consoles, etc.). Multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n] can connect to wireless access point 110 via channel CH to use the Internet 101. In some embodiments, wireless access point 110 can establish channel CH based on a default communication standard. For example, the default communication standard can be IEEE 802.11 or its related standards (e.g., IEEE 802.11ax). In some embodiments, multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n] can operate in a power saving mode defined in the default communication standard and determine whether to further prohibit data exchange during a default period in the power saving mode based on the sleep permission map (SPM) information issued by wireless access point 110. In some embodiments, the above-mentioned data exchange refers to the act of transmitting and / or receiving data (e.g., receiving data from and / or transmitting data to wireless access point 110).

[0019] For example, wireless access point 110 can transmit a packet SD carrying sleep permission graph information SPM to multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n]. The multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n] can decide whether to proceed with the sleep permission graph information SPM during a predetermined period (e.g., for a specific time period). Figure 2B or Figure 3B During a preset period TM, data exchange with the wireless access point 110 via the channel CH is prohibited. In other words, the wireless access point 110 can use the Set Sleep Permission Map (SPM) information to control one of the multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n] operating in power-saving mode to stop transmitting or receiving data for a period of time during the preset period. In this way, the wireless access point 110 can reduce the contention of the multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n] for the channel CH to improve system transmission efficiency and reduce the overall power consumption of the system. In some embodiments, the packet SD can be (but is not limited to) packets that will be sent to multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n] simultaneously. For example, the packet SD can be a beacon frame and / or a broadcast frame.

[0020] In some embodiments, similar to the traffic indication map information in the IEEE 802.11 specification, the sleep enable map information (SPM) can be information with a bitmap structure. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, the Sleep Permission Graph (SPM) includes multiple association identifiers (AIDs) A[1] to A[n], which correspond to multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n]. Each of the multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n] can determine whether to be further prohibited from exchanging data with the wireless access point 110 during the preset period based on a corresponding one of the multiple association identifiers A[1] to A[n]. For example, if identifier A[1] has a logic value of 1, electronic device 120[1] can operate in power-saving mode based on this identifier A[1] and is prohibited from exchanging data. Alternatively, if identifier A[1] has a logic value of 0, electronic device 120[1] can operate in power-saving mode based on this identifier A[1], but is not prohibited from subsequent data transmission. Similarly, each of the remaining electronic devices 120[2] to 120[n] can decide whether to further stop transmitting and receiving data when operating in power-saving mode, based on a corresponding one of the multiple associated identifiers A[2] to A[n].

[0021] Figure 2A The following flowchart illustrates a downlink frame switching method 200 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In operation S210, a wireless access point transmits packets with sleep permission map information to a plurality of electronic devices operating in power-saving mode. In operation S220, at least one first electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices is prohibited from exchanging data with the wireless access point for a default period according to the sleep permission map information. In operation S230, the remaining electronic devices among the plurality of electronic devices are not prohibited from receiving data from the wireless access point during the default period.

[0022] To explain Figure 2A For multiple operations, please refer to Figure 2B , Figure 2B For the purposes of this disclosure, some embodiments are shown. Figure 1 The timing diagram of downlink frame switching in the wireless communication system 100.

[0023] exist Figure 2BIn the example, the wireless access point 110 connects with multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[5] (i.e., n is 5) and a general electronic device that cannot identify the sleep permission graph information SPM, wherein the electronic devices 120[1] to 120[5] correspond to multiple association identifiers A[1] to A[5] respectively, and the general electronic device corresponds to the association identifier A[6].

[0024] In some embodiments, the wireless access point 110 can be used to set the aforementioned preset period (denoted as TM) based on the Delivery Traffic Indication Message (DTIM) count value (denoted as D_CNT). For example, the wireless access point 110 can set the interval for sending broadcast frames BC by setting the DTIM count value D_CNT. In this example, the DTIM period is 3, which means that the wireless access point 110 will send a broadcast frame BC once every 3 periods. In this example, the preset period TM is set to the same as the DTIM period, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[5] can be allowed to exchange data when the DTIM count value D_CNT has a default value (e.g., 0).

[0025] In this example, wireless access point 110 transmits a beacon frame (denoted as BCN) and a broadcast frame BC to multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[5] and general electronic devices when the DTIM count value D_CNT has a default value (e.g., 0). In some embodiments, the beacon frame BCN can be Figure 1 The packet SD in the packet may carry the sleep permission graph information SPM and the aforementioned traffic indication graph information. Before time T1, all electronic devices 120[1] to 120[5] and general electronic devices operate in power saving mode. At time T1, all electronic devices 120[1] to 120[5] and general electronic devices are woken up to receive beacon frames BCN and broadcast frames BC from the wireless access point 110.

[0026] During the period from time T1 to time T2 (hereinafter referred to as the first period, with a corresponding DTIM count value D_CNT of 0), the buffer circuit of wireless access point 110 (e.g., Figure 4The buffer circuit 440 stores data D1[1] to be transmitted to electronic device 120[1], data D1[3] to be transmitted to electronic device 120[3], data D1[4] to be transmitted to electronic device 120[4], and data D1[6] to be transmitted to a general electronic device. Under these conditions, the wireless access point 110 can set multiple associated identifiers A[2] and A[5] in the sleep permission graph information SPM to logic value 1 according to the data stored in the buffer circuit, so as to control electronic device 120[2] and electronic device 120[5] (i.e., electronic device that has no data to receive) to enter power saving mode and prohibit data exchange until the default period TM expires. In other embodiments, the wireless access point 110 can execute an algorithm based on other additional information to set the sleep permission graph information SPM to specify at least one specific electronic device to operate in power saving mode and prohibit data exchange until the default period TM expires. In some embodiments, the wireless access point 110 may set traffic indication information based on the correspondence between the data in the buffer circuit and the electronic device to be transmitted, and multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[5] and general electronic devices may determine whether they need to request data from the wireless access point 110 based on the traffic indication information.

[0027] In response to the sleep permission graph information SPM, multiple associated identifiers A[2] and A[5], multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[5] will operate in power-saving mode and suspend data transmission and reception for a preset period TM. Thus, multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[5] can be prohibited from exchanging data with wireless access point 110 via channel CH until the default period TM expires (e.g., the time T4 when the next DTIM count value D_CNT has a default value (e.g., 0)) (i.e., operation S220).

[0028] In the first cycle, the associated identifiers A[1], A[3], and A[4] (not shown) corresponding to the sleep permission graph information SPM of multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3], and 120[4] are logic values ​​of 0. Under this condition, the multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3], and 120[4] operate in power-saving mode but are not prohibited from transmitting and / or receiving data. Therefore, electronic devices 120[1], 120[3], and 120[4] can receive data from wireless access point 110 via channel CH according to the power-saving mode specification during the preset period TM (i.e., operation S230). In addition, since general electronic devices cannot recognize the sleep permission graph information SPM, general electronic devices are not prohibited from exchanging data. For example, in the first cycle, multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3], 120[4] and general electronic devices can receive data D1[1], data D1[3], data D1[4] and data D1[6] respectively from the wireless access point 110 according to the flow indication map information.

[0029] During the period from time T2 to time T3 (hereinafter referred to as the second period, with a corresponding DTIM count value D_CNT of 2), the buffer circuit of the wireless access point 110 stores data D2[3] to be transmitted to electronic device 120[3] and data D2[5] to be transmitted to electronic device 120[5]. Under these conditions, the wireless access point 110 can set multiple associated identifiers A[1], A[2], A[4] and A[6] in the sleep enable graph information SPM to a logic value of 1 based on these data, so as to control multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[2] and 120[4] to enter power-saving mode and be prohibited from exchanging data with general electronic devices.

[0030] At time T2, multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3], and 120[4], as well as a general-purpose electronic device, will wake up to receive a beacon frame BCN carrying a sleep permission map information SPM from the wireless access point 110. In response to multiple associated identifiers A[1] and A[4] in the sleep permission map information SPM, multiple electronic devices 120[1] and 120[4] will remain in power-saving mode and be prohibited from exchanging data with the wireless access point 110 via the channel CH for a preset period TM until time T4 (i.e., operation S220). In other words, in the previous cycle (i.e., the first cycle), multiple electronic devices 120[1] and 120[4] were originally operating in power-saving mode and could exchange data. In the second cycle, multiple electronic devices 120[1] and 120[4] are prohibited from exchanging data for a default period TM according to the sleep permission information SPM. Similarly, in the previous cycle (i.e., the first cycle), multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[5] have stopped exchanging data according to the Sleep Permission Map (SPM). Therefore, multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[5] will not receive beacon frames BCN from the wireless access point 110, and electronic device 120[5] will not receive data D2[5]. In addition, since general electronic devices cannot recognize the Sleep Permission Map (SPM), they can still continue to exchange data and receive beacon frames BCN in the second cycle.

[0031] In the second cycle, electronic device 120[3] is not prohibited from exchanging data according to the sleep permission graph information SPM, so electronic device 120[3] can receive data D2[3] from wireless access point 110 via channel CH according to the flow indication graph information (i.e., operation S230). Since the general electronic device cannot recognize the sleep permission graph information SPM, the general electronic device can continue to exchange data. In this example, in the second cycle, since wireless access point 110 has no data to transmit to the general electronic device, the general electronic device can enter sleep mode according to the power saving mode specification until time T3.

[0032] During the period from time T3 to time T4 (hereinafter referred to as the third cycle, with a corresponding DTIM count value D_CNT of 1), the buffer circuit of the wireless access point 110 stores data D3[2] to be transmitted to electronic device 120[2], data D2[5] to be transmitted to electronic device 120[5], and data D3[6] to be transmitted to general electronic device. Under these conditions, the wireless access point 110 can set multiple associated identifiers A[1], A[3], and A[4] in the sleep enable graph information SPM to a logic value of 1 based on these data, so as to prevent multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3], and 120[4] that have entered power saving mode from exchanging data.

[0033] At time T3, electronic device 120[3] wakes up to receive a beacon frame BCN from wireless access point 110 carrying sleep permission map information SPM. In response to the association identifier A[3] in the sleep permission map information SPM, electronic device 120[3] will be prohibited from exchanging data with wireless access point 110 for a preset period TM until time T4 (i.e., operation S220). In other words, in the previous cycle (i.e., the second cycle), electronic device 120[3] operates in power-saving mode but is not prohibited from exchanging data. In the third cycle, electronic device 120[3] is prohibited from exchanging data with wireless access point 110 according to the sleep permission information SPM. Similarly, in the previous cycle (i.e., the second cycle), multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[2], 120[4] and 120[5] have stopped exchanging data with wireless access point 110. Therefore, multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[2], 120[4] and 120[5] will not receive beacon frames BCN, and electronic device 120[5] will not receive data D2[5]. In addition, since the general electronic device cannot recognize the sleep permission map information SPM, the general electronic device receives beacon frames BCN in the third cycle and receives data D3[6] from the wireless access point 110 according to the flow indication map information. After receiving data D3[6], the general electronic device can enter sleep mode according to the power saving mode specification until time T4.

[0034] At time T4, since the previous preset period TM has ended, multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[2], 120[3], 120[4], and 120[5] are no longer prohibited from exchanging data with the wireless access point 110. Furthermore, since the DTIM count value D_CNT corresponding to time T4 has a default value (e.g., 0), the wireless access point 110 will transmit the beacon frame BCN and the broadcast frame BC. Under these conditions, all electronic devices 120[1] to 120[5] and general electronic devices will be awakened to receive the beacon frame BCN and the broadcast frame BC from the wireless access point CH.

[0035] During a DTIM cycle (hereinafter referred to as the fourth cycle) starting from time T4, the buffer circuit of the wireless access point 110 stores data D4[1] to be transmitted to electronic device 120[1], data D4[4] to be transmitted to electronic device 120[4], data D2[5] to be transmitted to electronic device 120[5], and data D3[2] to be transmitted to electronic device 120[2]. Under these conditions, the wireless access point 110 can set multiple association identifiers A[3] and A[6] in the sleep enable graph information SPM to a logic value of 1 based on these data, so as to prevent electronic device 120[3] and general electronic device from exchanging data.

[0036] In response to the associated identifier A[3] in the hibernation permission graph information SPM, the electronic device 120[3] enters a power-saving mode and is prohibited from exchanging data for a preset period TM until the current default period TM expires (i.e., the time when the next DTIM count value D_CNT has a default value) (i.e., operation S220). Since the general electronic device cannot recognize the hibernation permission graph information SPM, the general electronic device will not be prohibited from exchanging data.

[0037] In the fourth cycle, since multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[2], 120[4] and 120[5] are not prohibited from exchanging data according to the sleep permission graph information SPM, electronic devices 120[1], 120[2], 120[4] and 120[5] can receive data from wireless access point 110 via channel CH within a preset period TM (i.e., operation S230). For example, in the fourth cycle, multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[2], 120[4] and 120[5] can sequentially receive data D4[1], data D3[2], data D4[4] and data D2[5] from wireless access point 110 according to the flow indication graph information. Furthermore, in the fourth cycle, since wireless access point 110 has no data to transmit to the general electronic device, the general electronic device can enter sleep mode according to the power saving mode specification.

[0038] Similarly, the wireless access point 110 can set the sleep permission map information SPM based on the data temporarily stored in the buffer circuit to allocate the channel CH to multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[5]. Through the above mechanism, electronic devices operating in power-saving mode can obtain a longer sleep time, and the number of devices receiving beacon frames BCN at the same time will be reduced. In this way, the contention of multiple electronic devices for the channel CH can be reduced and the wake-up time of electronic devices can be reduced, thereby reducing the overall power consumption and maintaining a certain transmission performance.

[0039] Figure 3A The following flowchart illustrates an uplink frame switching method 300 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In operation S310, a wireless access point transmits packets with sleep permission map information to a plurality of electronic devices operating in power-saving mode. In operation S320, at least one of the plurality of electronic devices, belonging to a first group, is prohibited from exchanging data with the wireless access point during a default period based on the sleep permission map information. In operation S330, at least one of the plurality of electronic devices, belonging to a second group, is not prohibited from transmitting data to the wireless access point during the default period based on the sleep permission map information.

[0040] To explain Figure 3A For multiple operations, please refer to Figure 3B , Figure 3BFor the purposes of this disclosure, some embodiments are shown. Figure 1 The timing diagram for uplink frame switching in the wireless communication system 100 is shown. (Similar to...) Figure 2B In this example, the DTIM period is 3 (i.e., the wireless access point 110 transmits a broadcast frame BC once every 3 periods), and the preset period TM is set to be the same as the DTIM period, but this disclosure is not limited to the above settings. In this example, before time T1, multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[5] and general electronic devices operate in power-saving mode.

[0041] In some embodiments, the wireless access point 110 can set a sleep permission map information SPM to control the electronic devices 120[1] to 120[5] to transmit data in batches. For example, in the first three cycles, the wireless access point 110 sets multiple association identifiers A[2], A[4] and A[6] in the sleep permission map information SPM to a logic value of 1 to prevent multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[4] from exchanging data with general electronic devices (i.e., operation S310). In the last three cycles, the wireless access point 110 sets multiple association identifiers A[1], A[3] and A[5] in the sleep permission map information SPM to a logic value of 1 to prevent multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3] and 120[5] from exchanging data (i.e., operation S310). In other words, the wireless access point 110 can group the electronic devices 120[1] to 120[5] and general electronic devices by means of the sleep permission map information SPM. The first group of electronic devices (i.e., multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3], and 120[5]) can transmit data to the wireless access point 110 in the first three cycles. The second group of electronic devices (i.e., multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[4]) can transmit data to the wireless access point 110 in the last three cycles. Since the general-purpose electronic devices cannot recognize the sleep permission graph information SPM, the general-purpose electronic devices can still transmit data in each cycle.

[0042] In detail, at time T1, all electronic devices 120[1] to 120[5] and general electronic devices are awakened to receive beacon frames BCN (which carry sleep permission graph information SPM) and broadcast frames BC from the wireless access point 110. In response to multiple association identifiers A[2] and A[4] in the sleep permission graph information SPM, multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[4] will be prohibited from exchanging data for a preset period TM until the default period TM expires (e.g., time T4 when the next DTIM count value D_CNT has a default value (e.g., 0)) (i.e., operation S320).

[0043] In the first cycle, since multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3], and 120[5] and general electronic devices are not prohibited from exchanging data and all have data to transmit to the wireless access point 110, electronic devices 120[1], 120[3], 120[5] and general electronic devices can transmit data to the wireless access point 110 via channel CH during the default period TM (i.e., operation S330). For example, in the first cycle, multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3], 120[5] and general electronic devices can sequentially transmit data D1[1], data D1[3], data D1[5] and data D1[6] to the wireless access point 110 via channel CH. If multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3], 120[5] and general electronic devices have no data to transmit to the wireless access point 110, they can enter a sleep state according to the power saving mode specification until time T2.

[0044] At time T2, multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3] and 120[5] and a general electronic device are awakened to receive a beacon frame BCN carrying the sleep permission map information SPM from the wireless access point 110. During the second cycle, multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[4] are continuously prohibited from transmitting data to the wireless access point 110 (i.e., operation S320).

[0045] Since the sleep permission graph information SPM remains unchanged, multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3], and 120[5] and the general electronic device can transmit data to the wireless access point 110 in the second cycle (i.e., operation S330). In the second cycle, the general electronic device and multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3], and 120[5] can sequentially transmit data D2[6], data D2[1], data D2[3], and data D2[5] to the wireless access point 110 via the channel CH.

[0046] Similarly, at time T3, multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3], and 120[5] and a general-purpose electronic device are awakened to receive a beacon frame BCN carrying the sleep permission map information SPM from the wireless access point 110. During the third cycle, multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[4] are continuously prohibited from transmitting data to the wireless access point 110 (i.e., operation S320).

[0047] Since the sleep permission graph information SPM remains unchanged, multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3] and 120[5] and the general electronic device can transmit data to the wireless access point 110 in the third cycle (i.e., operation S330). In the third cycle, the general electronic device has no data to transmit to the wireless access point 110 and can enter sleep mode according to the power saving mode specification, while multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3] and 120[5] can sequentially transmit data D3[1], data D3[3] and data D3[5] to the wireless access point 110 via channel CH respectively.

[0048] At time T4, since the previous preset period TM has ended, the multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[4] are no longer prohibited from exchanging data. Furthermore, since the DTIM count value D_CNT corresponding to time T4 has a default value (e.g., 0), the wireless access point 110 will transmit the beacon frame BCN (which carries the sleep permission map information SPM) and the broadcast frame BC. Under these conditions, all electronic devices 120[1] to 120[5] and general electronic devices will wake up to receive the beacon frame BCN and the broadcast frame BC from the wireless access point CH.

[0049] In response to multiple associated identifiers A[1], A[3] and A[5] in the sleep permission graph information SPM, multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3] and 120[5] will be prohibited from transmitting data to the wireless access point 110 for a preset period TM until the preset period TM expires (e.g., the time when the next DTIM count value D_CNT has a default value (e.g., 0)) (i.e., operation S320).

[0050] During a period between time T3 and time T4 (hereinafter referred to as the fourth cycle, with a corresponding DTIM count value D_CNT of 0), since multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[4] and the general electronic device all have data to transmit to the wireless access point 110, multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[4] and the general electronic device can transmit data from the wireless access point 110 to the wireless access point 110 via the channel CH within the default period TM (i.e., operation S330). For example, in the fourth cycle, multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[4] and the general electronic device can sequentially transmit data D4[2], data D4[4] and data D4[6] to the wireless access point 110 via the channel CH.

[0051] At time T5, multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[4] and a general electronic device are awakened to receive a beacon frame BCN carrying the Sleep Allow Map Information (SPM) from the wireless access point 110. During a period between time T4 and time T5 (hereinafter referred to as the fifth cycle, with a corresponding DTIM count value D_CNT of 2), multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3] and 120[5] are continuously prohibited from transmitting data to the wireless access point 110 (i.e., operation S320).

[0052] Since the sleep permission graph information SPM remains unchanged, multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[4] and the general electronic device can transmit data to the wireless access point 110 in the fifth cycle (i.e., operation S330). For example, in the fifth cycle, multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[4] and the general electronic device can sequentially transmit data D5[2], data D5[4] and data D5[6] to the wireless access point 110 via channel CH.

[0053] At time T6, multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[4] and a general electronic device are awakened to receive a beacon frame BCN carrying the Sleep Permission Map (SPM) information from the wireless access point 110. During a period between time T5 and time T6 (hereinafter referred to as the sixth cycle, with a corresponding DTIM count value D_CNT of 1), multiple electronic devices 120[1], 120[3] and 120[5] continuously stop transmitting data to the wireless access point 110 (i.e., operation S320).

[0054] Since the sleep permission graph information SPM remains unchanged, multiple electronic devices 120[2] and 120[4] and the general electronic device can transmit data to the wireless access point 110 in the sixth cycle (i.e., operation S330). For example, in the sixth cycle, the general electronic device, electronic device 120[4] and electronic device 120[2] can sequentially transmit data D6[6], data D6[4] and data D6[2] to the wireless access point 110 via channel CH respectively.

[0055] Similarly, wireless access point 110 can control multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[5] to transmit data to wireless access point 110 in batches via channel CH by setting the sleep permission graph information SPM. Figure 3BIt can be seen that the more electronic devices that want to transmit data during the same period, the longer the contention time for channel CH will be. For example, taking the first cycle as an example, each electronic device only starts transmitting data to the wireless access point 110 via channel CH after the previous electronic device has completed data transmission. There is a contention time t1 between the time when electronic device 120[1] starts transmitting data D1[1] and the time when electronic device 120[3] starts transmitting data D1[3]. There is a contention time t2 between the time when electronic device 120[1] starts transmitting data D1[1] and the time when electronic device 120[5] starts transmitting data D1[5]. There is a contention time t3 between the time when electronic device 120[1] starts transmitting data D1[1] and the time when general electronic device starts transmitting data D1[6]. Among them, the contention time t3 is longer than the contention time t2, and the contention time t2 is longer than the contention time t1.

[0056] Generally speaking, such as Figure 3B As shown, the longer the contention time, the longer the wake-up time of the corresponding electronic device. Through the aforementioned grouping mechanism, the number of electronic devices that can transmit data to the wireless access point 110 in the same cycle can be reduced. This reduces both contention time and wake-up time, thereby reducing power consumption. Furthermore, electronic devices operating in power-saving mode can achieve longer sleep times, and the number of devices receiving beacon frames (BCN) simultaneously can be reduced, thus further reducing overall power consumption.

[0057] The above-described settings for the default period TM and the hibernation permission graph information SPM, as well as the number of electronic devices, are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Various suitable settings for the default period TM and the hibernation permission graph information SPM, and the number of electronic devices, are all within the scope of this disclosure.

[0058] In some embodiments, the power-saving mechanism implemented using the Sleep Permission Graph (SPM) information described above can also be compatible with existing power-saving mechanisms (e.g., WMM-PS (WMM power save) mode, P2P (Peer-to-Peer) mode, and / or TWT (target wake time) mode). For example, if the wireless communication system 100 operates in P2P mode, the wireless access point 110 can be regarded as the group owner in P2P mode, and the multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n] can be regarded as the group client in P2P mode. Under this condition, the wireless access point 110 can declare a NOA (Notice of Absence) period, during which the multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n] need to stop exchanging data. During non-NOA periods, the multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n] can obtain additional sleep time or grouping effects according to the Sleep Permission Graph (SPM) information, thereby reducing power consumption in P2P mode. Alternatively, if electronic device 120[1] operates in TWT mode, electronic device 120[n] can wake up at the target wake-up time to receive the beacon frame BCN and a trigger frame, and exchange data with multiple electronic devices 120[2] to 120[n] at different times than the time when they exchange data with the wireless access point 110.

[0059] Figure 4 To illustrate some embodiments according to this disclosure Figure 1 A schematic diagram of wireless access point 110 is shown. Wireless access point 110 includes transceiver circuit 410, transceiver circuit 420, processor circuit 430, and buffer circuit 440. Transceiver circuit 410 is used to connect to the Internet 101. Transceiver circuit 420 is used to connect to via channel CH. Figure 1 Multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n] in the middle.

[0060] Processor circuit 430 is coupled to transceiver circuit 410, transceiver circuit 420, and buffer circuit 440. Processor circuit 430 can send and receive data via transceiver circuit 410 and transceiver circuit 420. Processor circuit 430 can also transmit packets SD to multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n] via transceiver circuit 420 to control the multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n] to determine whether TM is prohibited from exchanging data with transceiver circuit 420 during a preset period. For example, processor circuit 430 can execute one or more program codes to perform Figure 2A Operation S210 in the process. Alternatively, processor circuitry 430 can execute one or more program codes to perform... Figure 3A Operation S310 in the middle. Buffer circuit 440 can be used to temporarily store multiple data to be transmitted (such as...) Figure 2B (as shown), or temporarily stored data transmitted from multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n] (such as... Figure 3B (As shown).

[0061] Figure 5 The diagram illustrates an electronic device 500 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The electronic device 500 can be used to implement... Figure 1 Any one of the multiple electronic devices 120[1] to 120[n].

[0062] Electronic device 500 includes transceiver circuitry 510 and processor circuitry 520. Transceiver circuitry 510 is used to connect to wireless access point 110 via channel CH. Processor circuitry 520 is used to prevent transceiver circuitry 510 from exchanging data with wireless access point 110 during the default period TM based on sleep permission graph information SPM. For example, processor circuitry 520 may execute one or more program codes to perform... Figure 2A Operations S220 and S230 are described in the text. Alternatively, the processor circuit 520 can execute one or more program codes to perform... Figure 3A Operations S320 and S330.

[0063] In summary, the wireless communication system, wireless access point, and electronic device in some embodiments of this disclosure can utilize sleep permission map information to selectively stop at least one of the electronic devices operating in power-saving mode from exchanging data, thereby reducing the number of electronic devices that can exchange data with the wireless access point at the same time and reducing channel contention. This improves overall transmission performance and reduces overall power consumption.

[0064] Although the embodiments of this disclosure are described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit this disclosure. Those skilled in the art can make changes to the technical features of this disclosure based on its express or implied content. All such changes may fall within the scope of patent protection sought by this disclosure. In other words, the scope of patent protection of this disclosure shall be determined by the claims of this specification.

[0065] [Symbol Explanation]

[0066] 100: Wireless Communication System

[0067] 101: Internet

[0068] 110: Wireless Access Point

[0069] 120: Electronic devices

[0070] 200: Downlink Frame Switching Method

[0071] 300: Uplink Frame Switching Method

[0072] 410, 420, 510: Transceiver circuits

[0073] 430, 520: Processor circuit

[0074] 440: Buffer circuit

[0075] 500: Electronic devices

[0076] A[1]~A[n]: Association identifiers

[0077] BC: Broadcast Frame

[0078] BCN: Beacon Frame

[0079] CH: Channel

[0080] D_CNT: Delivery volume indicator message count value

[0081] D1[1], D1[3], D1[4], D1[5], D1[6]: Data

[0082] D2[1], D2[3], D2[5], D2[6]: Data

[0083] D3[1], D3[2], D3[3], D3[5]: data

[0084] D4[1], D4[2], D4[4], D4[6]: Data

[0085] D5[2], D5[4], D5[6]: Data

[0086] D6[2], D6[4], D6[6]: Data

[0087] S210, S220, S230, S310, S320, S330: Operation

[0088] SD: Packet

[0089] SPM: Hibernation Permission Graph Information

[0090] T1~T6: Time

[0091] t1~t3: Competition Time

Claims

1. A wireless communication system, characterized in that, include: A wireless access point is used to transmit packets including sleep permission graph information and traffic indication graph information; as well as Multiple electronic devices are used to connect to the wireless access point via the channel and wake up in power-saving mode to receive the packet. Each of the plurality of electronic devices is selectively prohibited from exchanging data with the wireless access point via the channel for a preset period according to the hibernation permission map information, and in response to the hibernation permission map information indicating that a corresponding electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices is prohibited from exchanging data with the wireless access point, the corresponding electronic device is prohibited from exchanging data with the wireless access point, regardless of whether the traffic indication map information indicates that the corresponding electronic device expects to obtain data from the wireless access point.

2. The wireless communication system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of electronic devices is used to determine whether to prohibit data exchange during the preset period based on a corresponding one of the plurality of associated identifiers in the hibernation permission graph information.

3. The wireless communication system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, If the wireless access point stores first data to be transmitted to the first electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices, the wireless access point is also used to set the sleep permission diagram information according to the first data, so as to transmit the first data to the first electronic device via the channel during the default period.

4. The wireless communication system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, If the first electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices operated in the power-saving mode in the previous cycle but was not prohibited from exchanging data with the wireless access point, the first electronic device determines, based on the sleep permission graph information, whether to further prohibit data exchange during the preset period.

5. The wireless communication system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, If the first electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices was operating in the power-saving mode in the previous cycle and was prohibited from exchanging data with the wireless access point, the first electronic device will continue to be prohibited from exchanging data with the wireless access point according to the sleep permission graph information.

6. The wireless communication system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first device of the first electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices operates in the power-saving mode according to the hibernation permission diagram information and stops exchanging data with the wireless access point until the default period expires.

7. The wireless communication system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The wireless access point is also used to set the hibernation permission map information to control the multiple electronic devices to transmit data in batches.

8. The wireless communication system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The wireless access point is also used to set the preset period based on the delivery volume indicator message count value.

9. A wireless access point, characterized in that, include: The first transceiver circuit is used to connect to the Internet; A second transceiver circuit is used to connect via a channel to multiple electronic devices, wherein the multiple electronic devices operate in a power-saving mode. as well as The processor circuitry is configured to transmit packets including a sleep permission map and a flow indication map to the plurality of electronic devices via the second transceiver circuitry, to control the plurality of electronic devices to determine, based on the sleep permission map information, whether to prohibit them from exchanging data with the second transceiver circuitry during a default period, and in response to the sleep permission map information indicating that a corresponding electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices is prohibited from exchanging data with the second transceiver circuitry, the corresponding electronic device is prohibited from exchanging data with the second transceiver circuitry, regardless of whether the flow indication map information indicates that the corresponding electronic device expects to obtain data from the second transceiver circuitry.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, include: Transceiver circuitry for connecting to a wireless access point via a channel to receive packets including sleep permission graph information and traffic indication graph information; as well as The processor circuitry is configured to selectively prevent the transceiver circuitry from exchanging data with the wireless access point during a default period of operation in power-saving mode, based on the sleep permission graph information, and to prevent the transceiver circuitry from exchanging data with the wireless access point in response to the sleep permission graph information indicating that the transceiver circuitry is prohibited from exchanging data with the wireless access point, regardless of whether the traffic indication graph information indicates that the transceiver circuitry expects to obtain data from the wireless access point.

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