Responsive periodic broadcast on synchronization channel with capability for peripheral device initiated messages

Abstract

Systems, apparatus, processes, and computer-readable media for wireless communication are disclosed. For example, a network device may transmit periodic broadcasts on a synchronization channel to a plurality of wireless communication devices. The network device may receive one or more wireless communication device initiated messages from one or more of the plurality of wireless communication devices in one or more reserved response slots on the synchronization channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication. For example, aspects of the present disclosure relate to periodic advertising with response (PAwR) having the ability to have messages initiated by peripheral devices on a synchronization channel. Background Art

[0002] Short-range wireless communication enables wireless communication over relatively short distances (e.g., within thirty meters). For example, Bluetooth® is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances using short-wavelength ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio waves from 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) to 2.485 GHz.

[0003] Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) is a form of Bluetooth® communication that allows communication with devices operating at low power. Such devices can include beacons, which are wireless communication devices that can use low-power communication technologies for positioning, proximity marketing, or other purposes. In some cases, such devices can be used as nodes (e.g., relay nodes) of a wireless mesh network that transmit and / or relay information to a management platform or hub associated with the wireless mesh network. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A simplified overview related to one or more aspects disclosed herein is given below. Accordingly, the following overview should not be considered a broad overview related to all contemplated aspects, nor should the following overview be considered to identify key or critical elements related to all contemplated aspects or to depict the scope associated with any particular aspect. Thus, the sole purpose of the following overview is to present in simplified form certain concepts related to one or more aspects involving the mechanisms disclosed herein prior to the detailed description given below.

[0005] Systems and techniques for wireless communication are described. According to at least one illustrative example, a network device for wireless communication is provided. The network device includes at least one memory and at least one processor (e.g., configured in a circuit), the at least one processor being coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: output a periodic advertisement on a synchronization channel for transmission to a plurality of wireless communication devices; and receive, in one or more reserved response time slots on the synchronization channel, one or more messages initiated by one or more of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

[0006] In another example, a method for wireless communication performed at a network device is provided. The method includes: the network device sending a periodic broadcast to a plurality of wireless communication devices on a synchronization channel; and the network device receiving, in one or more reserved response time slots on the synchronization channel, one or more messages initiated by one or more of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

[0007] In another example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions is provided, the instructions when executed by one or more processors cause the one or more processors to: output a periodic broadcast on a synchronization channel for transmission to a plurality of wireless communication devices; and receive, in one or more reserved response time slots on the synchronization channel, one or more messages initiated by one or more of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

[0008] In another example, an apparatus for wireless communication is provided. The apparatus includes: means for sending a periodic broadcast to a plurality of wireless communication devices on a synchronization channel; and means for receiving, in one or more reserved response time slots on the synchronization channel, one or more messages initiated by one or more of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

[0009] In another example, a wireless communication device for wireless communication is provided. The wireless communication device includes at least one memory and at least one processor, the at least one processor being coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: receive a periodic broadcast from a network device on a synchronization channel; and output a message initiated by the wireless communication device in a reserved response time slot on the synchronization channel for transmission to the network device.

[0010] In another example, a method for wireless communication performed at a wireless communication device is provided. The method includes: the wireless communication device receiving a periodic broadcast from a network device on a synchronization channel; and the wireless communication device sending a message initiated by the wireless communication device to the network device in a reserved response time slot on the synchronization channel.

[0011] In another example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions is provided, the instructions when executed by one or more processors cause the one or more processors to: receive a periodic broadcast from a network device on a synchronization channel; and output a message initiated by the wireless communication device in a reserved response time slot on the synchronization channel for transmission to the network device.

[0012] In another example, an apparatus for wireless communication is provided. The apparatus includes: means for receiving a periodic broadcast from a network device on a synchronization channel; and means for transmitting a message initiated by a wireless communication device to the network device in a reserved response time slot on the synchronization channel.

[0013] Aspects generally include methods, apparatuses, systems, computer program products, non-transitory computer-readable media, user equipment, user equipment, wireless communication devices, and / or processing systems as substantially described with reference to the figures and the specification and as illustrated in the figures and the specification.

[0014] Some aspects include a device having a processor configured to perform one or more operations of any of the methods outlined above. Additional aspects include a processing device for use in a device configured with processor-executable instructions to perform the operations of any of the methods outlined above. Additional aspects include a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor of a device to perform the operations of any of the methods outlined above. Additional aspects include a device having components for performing the functions of any of the methods outlined above.

[0015] The features and technical advantages of examples in accordance with the present disclosure have been outlined rather broadly above so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described hereinafter. The disclosed concepts and specific examples may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. When considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures, the characteristics (both the organization and method of operation) of the concepts disclosed herein, as well as the associated advantages, will be better understood. Each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description and not as a definition of the limits of the claims. The foregoing and other features and aspects will become more apparent from the following description, claims, and figures.

[0016] This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used alone to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to the appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all of the drawings, and each claim. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The accompanying drawings are presented to assist in describing various aspects of the present disclosure, and the drawings are provided only for illustration of the aspects and not for limitation thereof. To gain a detailed understanding of the above-described features of the present disclosure, a more specific description of what was briefly summarized above can be obtained by referring to the aspects, some of which are illustrated in the drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings only illustrate certain typical aspects of the present disclosure and should not be considered as a limitation of its scope, as the description may allow other equally effective aspects. The same reference numerals in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example environment in which the systems and / or methods described herein can be implemented according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing example components of a device according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 3 is a signaling diagram showing an example of a communication transmission according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 4 is a signaling diagram showing an example of a communication transmission between a network device and two sets of wireless communication devices according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 5 is a signaling diagram showing an example of a communication transmission according to some aspects of the present disclosure, the communication transmission including a set of reserved time slots for messages initiated by a peripheral device located at the start of a sequence of response time slots.

[0023] Figure 6 is a signaling diagram showing an example of a communication transmission according to some aspects of the present disclosure, the communication transmission including a set of reserved time slots for messages initiated by a peripheral device located at the end of a sequence of response time slots.

[0024] Figure 7 is a signaling diagram showing an example of a communication transmission between a network device and a set of wireless communication devices according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for wireless communication at a network device according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for wireless communication at a wireless communication device according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 10FIG. 0 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computing system according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The disclosed systems and techniques may employ the computing system for periodic broadcast with response having the ability to initiate messages for peripheral devices on a synchronization channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] For illustrative purposes, certain aspects of the present disclosure are provided below. Alternative aspects may be designed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, well-known elements of the present disclosure will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure relevant details of the present disclosure. Some aspects described herein may be applied independently, and some of them may be applied in combination, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the aspects of the present application. However, it will be apparent that the various aspects may be practiced without these specific details. The drawings and description are not intended to be restrictive.

[0029] The following description provides example aspects and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure. Instead, the following description of the example aspects will provide those skilled in the art with a viable description for implementing the example aspects. It should be understood that various changes may be made to the functions and arrangements of the elements without departing from the scope of the present application as set forth in the appended claims.

[0030] A system may include one or more wireless communication devices controlled by a network entity. For example, an electronic shelf label (ESL) system may include one or more wireless communication devices (e.g., ESLs) controlled by a network entity (such as a management entity (ME)) via at least one network device (such as an access point (AP)). In one or more examples, to facilitate control by the management entity, each ESL may have a wireless connection (e.g., a Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) connection or other connection) to the access point (AP), which is communicatively connected to the management entity (e.g., via the Internet, such as wirelessly, via an Ethernet connection, etc.). In some cases, commands from the management entity may be wirelessly sent by the access point to the ESL. Responses or information from the ESL may also be received by the access point and provided by the access point to the management entity. Although the ESL is used herein as an illustrative example of a wireless communication device, the management entity as an example of a network entity, and the access point as an example of a network device to describe the example, the systems and techniques described herein are applicable to any type of system or network.

[0031] In an ESL system, periodic advertisement (PA) is often utilized to provide regular and predictable payload transmission from a central device (e.g., which may be simply referred to as "central" and may be in the form of a network device such as an access point) to one or more peripheral devices (e.g., which may each be simply referred to as "peripheral" and may each be in the form of a wireless communication device such as an ESL). For example, PA can be used to send information from the central device to multiple peripheral devices, where the multiple peripheral devices can be within one or more groups of peripheral devices. PA is typically unidirectional (e.g., one-way transmission), such that PA is only sent from the central device to one or more peripheral devices in one direction. Unfortunately, the unidirectionality of PA prevents PA from being able to operate as the basis of a true network.

[0032] Periodic advertisement with response (PAwR) can be used in an ESL system to provide two-wayness (e.g., two-way transmission between the central device and one or more peripheral devices). Whenever the central device chooses to send (e.g., transmit) a request to a peripheral device, the peripheral devices synchronized within a particular group of peripheral devices can be addressed by the central device on a synchronization channel (e.g., a radio frequency (RF) channel between the central device and the peripheral device). In some cases, as used herein, a synchronization channel refers to a channel on which (in time) synchronized transmissions occur. For example, a channel includes the frequency on which one or more communications are sent. A frequency hopping sequence defines the channel, where the sequence advances at a fixed determined interval. The central device and one or more peripheral devices can simultaneously track the sequence in a predefined frequency hopping pattern (e.g., so that the central device knows when to send a request and the peripheral devices know when to listen and / or receive the request).

[0033] A request sent from a central device to a peripheral device in a specific group can be a PA that includes a synchronization message sent by the central device to the peripheral devices in the specific group on a synchronization channel. For example, wireless communication devices within a specific group can wake up (e.g., from a low-power (LP) mode) at the same PA transmission of a specific PAwR sequence (train) regarding the group. The PA consists of a set of periodic transmissions, where when applied to PAwR, the set of transmissions is collectively referred to as a PA sequence or a PAwR sequence. Each transmission of the PA sequence (or PAwR sequence) occurs at an exact time point with a fixed interval between transmissions. A communication channel (e.g., one of 37 available communication channels) is selected for each transmission, where the communication channel follows a frequency hopping sequence. Synchronization between the central device and the peripheral devices in the group is based on the periodicity of the PA. The periodically sent messages (e.g., synchronization messages) include zero, one, or more commands (e.g., corresponding operation codes (OpCodes) and parameters associated with each command). If the central device expects a response from a specific peripheral device (e.g., a synchronization message from the central device requests a response from a specific peripheral device), the peripheral device will respond in a specific response time slot based on the position of the peripheral device within the sequence included in the synchronization message sent by the central device.

[0034] However, the signaling arrangement of the response time slots on the synchronization channel may cause the peripheral device to need to wait for the central device to request an update (e.g., request a response) from the peripheral device so that the peripheral device can provide updated data to the central device on the synchronization channel (e.g., via the response from the peripheral device in the response time slot). Therefore, in order to send a peripheral device-initiated message (e.g., a message initiated by a wireless communication device) from the peripheral device to the central device, the peripheral device cannot use the synchronization channel. Instead, to send a peripheral device-initiated message to the central device, the peripheral device relies on using unconnected broadcasts on an extremely crowded legacy channel (e.g., a legacy broadcast channel) outside of the synchronization channel located between the central device and the peripheral device.

[0035] This document describes systems and techniques for providing Periodic Advertisement with Response (PAwR) that has the ability to have messages initiated by peripheral devices on a synchronization channel. For example, the systems and techniques provide solutions that allow peripheral devices to be able to send (e.g., transmit) messages initiated by the peripheral device on the synchronization channel between the central device and the peripheral device. In one or more examples, a configurable number of response slots in the synchronization channel can be reserved for messages initiated by the peripheral device, such that the peripheral device can send messages (e.g., messages initiated by the peripheral device) to the central device at will by using these reserved response slots. In one or more examples, the response slots can be reserved statically by static allocation (e.g., a specific response slot can be statically reserved for only messages initiated by the peripheral device), or reserved dynamically by dynamic allocation (e.g., response slots for which the central device does not expect a response can be dynamically reserved for messages initiated by the peripheral device). In some examples, the reserved response slots for messages initiated by the peripheral device can be located anywhere within a sequence of response slots (e.g., a sequence of response slots specified within a synchronization message from the central device).

[0036] In some aspects, the peripheral device can send a message initiated by the peripheral device in a reserved response slot among a plurality of response slots reserved for the group to which the peripheral device belongs. In other aspects, a peripheral device belonging to a first group can use a response slot reserved for peripheral devices of one or more other groups to send a message initiated by the peripheral device. For example, a peripheral device from the first group can send a message initiated by the peripheral device in a reserved response slot among a plurality of response slots reserved for the second group (e.g., without waiting for an AP synchronization message for its own group). These aspects are possible based on the peripheral device knowing that the central device will listen for messages initiated by the peripheral device in the response slots reserved for the second group.

[0037] One advantage of the systems and techniques described in this document is to avoid spectrum congestion on traditional broadcast channels and to maintain the internal scheduling of peripheral devices (e.g., ESLs), which can allow peripheral devices to maintain a low-power mode even for messages initiated by the peripheral device. Another advantage is to avoid the need for separate non-connectable broadcasts by using the systems and techniques described in this document. Yet another advantage of the systems and techniques is that, by having reserved time slots for messages initiated by the peripheral device, the peripheral device can control the time point at which the peripheral device sends information to the central device, rather than having to wait for a request from the central device and / or wait for the central device to start scanning traditional channels.

[0038] Additional aspects of the present disclosure are described in more detail below.

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example environment 100 in which the systems and / or methods described herein can be implemented. AsFigure 1 As shown, the environment 100 may include at least one access point (AP) 110, at least one wireless communication device 120, a management entity (ME) 130, and a network 140. The devices in the environment 100 may be interconnected via wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections.

[0040] The access point 110 may include one or more devices capable of receiving, generating, storing, processing, providing, and / or routing information associated with access point synchronization and / or handover, as described elsewhere herein. The access point 110 may include a communication device and / or a computing device. The access point 110 may be configured to transmit beacons (e.g., BLE beacons), and to scan for and locate other devices (e.g., other devices communicating using the BLE protocol).

[0041] The wireless communication device 120 may include one or more devices capable of receiving, generating, storing, processing, and / or providing information associated with access point synchronization and / or handover, as described elsewhere herein. The wireless communication device 120 may include a communication device and / or a computing device. In some aspects, the wireless communication device 120 may be, may include, or may be included in an electronic shelf label (ESL).

[0042] The management entity 130 includes one or more devices capable of receiving, generating, storing, processing, providing, and / or routing information associated with access point synchronization and / or handover, as described elsewhere herein. The management entity 130 may include a communication device and / or a computing device. For example, the management entity 130 may include a server, such as an application server, a client server, a web server, a database server, a host server, a proxy server, a virtual server (e.g., executing on computing hardware), or a server in a cloud computing system. In some aspects, the management entity 130 includes computing hardware used in a cloud computing environment. The management entity 130 may provide control of a system (e.g., an ESL system) including the access point 110, the wireless communication device 120, and / or the device 130. The access point 110 may be communicatively connected to the management entity 130 via a network (not shown), such as the Internet.

[0043] The network 140 may include one or more wireless networks. For example, the network 140 may include a personal area network (e.g., a Bluetooth network). The network 140 enables communication between the devices in the environment 100.

[0044] Figure 1 The number and arrangement of the devices and networks shown are provided as an example. In practice, there may be Figure 1the devices and / or networks shown in as compared to additional devices and / or networks, fewer devices and / or networks, different devices and / or networks, or differently arranged devices and / or networks. Additionally, Figure 1 two or more of the devices shown in may be implemented within a single device, or Figure 1 a single device shown in may be implemented as multiple distributed devices. Additionally or alternatively, a set of devices of environment 100 (e.g., one or more devices) may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of devices of environment 100.

[0045] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing example components of device 200 according to the present disclosure. Device 200 may correspond to access point 110, wireless communication device 120, and / or management entity 130. In some aspects, access point 110, wireless communication device 120, and / or management entity 130 may include one or more devices 200 and / or one or more components of device 200. As Figure 2 shown in , device 200 may include bus 205, processor 210, memory 215, storage component 220, input component 225, output component 230, and / or communication component 235.

[0046] Bus 205 may include components that permit communication between components of device 200. Processor 210 may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. Processor 210 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another type of processing component. In some aspects, processor 210 may include one or more processors that can be programmed to perform functions. Memory 215 may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and / or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., flash memory, magnetic memory, and / or optical memory) that stores information and / or instructions used by processor 210.

[0047] Storage component 220 may store information and / or software related to the operation and use of device 200. For example, storage component 220 may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and / or a solid state disk), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a cassette tape, a magnetic tape, and / or another type of non-transitory computer-readable medium, as well as corresponding drives.

[0048] The input component 225 may include components that allow the device 200 to receive information, such as via user input (e.g., a touch screen display, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, buttons, switches, and / or a microphone). Additionally or alternatively, the input component 225 may include components for determining the orientation or position of the device 200 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) component or a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) component) and / or sensors for sensing information (e.g., an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an actuator, or another type of orientation or environmental sensor). The output component 230 may include components that provide output information from the device 200 (e.g., a display, a speaker, a haptic feedback component, and / or an audio or visual indicator).

[0049] The communication component 235 may include one or more transceiver-like components (e.g., a transceiver and / or separate receiver and transmitter), which enable the device 200 to communicate with other devices, such as via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. The communication component 235 may allow the device 200 to receive information from another device and / or provide information to another device. For example, the communication component 235 may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, an infrared interface, a radio frequency interface, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a wireless local area interface (e.g., a Wi-Fi interface or a BLE interface), and / or a cellular network interface.

[0050] The communication component 235 may include one or more antennas for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted from one or more other devices, cloud networks, etc. The antenna may be a single antenna or an antenna array (e.g., an antenna phased array) capable of facilitating simultaneous transmit and receive functionality. The antenna may be an omnidirectional antenna such that signals can be received from all directions and transmitted in all directions. The wireless signals may be transmitted via a wireless network. The wireless network may be any wireless network, such as a cellular or telecommunications network (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G, etc.), a wireless local area network (e.g., a WiFi network), Bluetooth TM network, and / or other networks.

[0051] One or more transceiver-like components (e.g., a wireless transceiver) of the communication component 235 may include an RF front end that includes one or more components, such as an amplifier, a mixer for signal downconversion (also known as a signal multiplier), a frequency synthesizer (also known as an oscillator) that provides signals to the mixer, a baseband filter, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), one or more power amplifiers, and other components. The RF front end generally may handle the selection and conversion of wireless signals to baseband or intermediate frequency and may convert the RF signals to the digital domain.

[0052] In some cases, the CODEC may be implemented (e.g., by processor 210) to encode and / or decode data transmitted and / or received using one or more wireless transceivers. In some cases, encryption-decryption may be implemented (e.g., by processor 210) to encrypt and / or decrypt data transmitted and / or received by one or more wireless transceivers (e.g., according to the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and / or Data Encryption Standard (DES) standards).

[0053] In some aspects, device 200 may represent an ESL. In addition to the above components, the ESL may also include a battery. In some aspects, the output component 230 of the ESL may be an electronic paper (e-paper) display or a liquid crystal display (LCD).

[0054] Device 200 may perform one or more of the processes described herein. Device 200 may perform these processes based on software instructions stored by a non-transitory computer-readable medium (such as memory 215 and / or storage component 220) and executed by processor 210. A computer-readable medium is defined herein as a non-transitory memory device. A memory device includes a memory space within a single physical storage device or a memory space distributed across multiple physical storage devices.

[0055] The software instructions may be read into memory 215 and / or storage component 220 from another computer-readable medium or from another device via communication component 235. When executed, the software instructions stored in memory 215 and / or storage component 220 may cause processor 210 to perform one or more of the processes described herein. Additionally or alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to perform one or more of the processes described herein. Accordingly, the aspects described herein are not limited to any particular combination of hardware circuitry and software.

[0056] Figure 2 The number and arrangement of the components shown are provided as an example. In practice, device 200 may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or components in a different arrangement compared to the components shown in Figure 2 In addition or alternatively, a set of components of device 200 (e.g., one or more components) may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components of device 200.

[0057] As described above, in an ESL system, a PA is typically used to provide periodic and predictable payload transmissions from a central device (e.g., which may be in the form of a network device such as an access point) to one or more peripheral devices (e.g., each of which may be in the form of a wireless communication device such as an ESL). The PA can be used to send information from the central device to multiple peripheral devices, and the multiple peripheral devices can be within one or more groups of peripheral devices. The PA is typically unidirectional (e.g., one-way transmission), such that the PA only sends from the central device to one or more peripheral devices in one direction.

[0058] The ESL system can use periodic broadcast with response (PAwR) to provide two-way communication (e.g., two-way transmission between the central device and one or more peripheral devices). Whenever the central device selects to send (e.g., transmit) a request (e.g., a PA containing a synchronization message sent on a synchronization channel) to a peripheral device, the peripheral devices synchronized within the group of peripheral devices can be addressed by the central device on a synchronization channel (e.g., a synchronization frequency channel between the central device and the peripheral device). If the central device expects a response from the peripheral device (e.g., a synchronization message from the central device requests a response from a specific peripheral device), the specific peripheral device will respond in a specific response time slot based on the position of the peripheral device within the sequence included in the synchronization message sent by the central device.

[0059] Figure 3 and Figure 4 shows a signaling diagram illustrating an example of PAwR in an ESL system. Specifically, Figure 3 the signaling diagram of shows an example PAwR for a group of wireless network devices (e.g., device 1 305a, device 2 305b, device 3 305c, device 4 305d, and device 5 305e), and Figure 4 the signaling diagram of shows an example PAwR for two groups of wireless network devices 420a, 420b (e.g., the first group includes ESL1 to ESL 11, and the second group includes ESL 12 to ESL 22). Specifically, Figure 3 is a signal timing diagram showing a part of the communication between an access point (e.g., access point 110) and a wireless communication device 120 (e.g., an ESL). Referring to Figure 1 Figure 3 the signal sequence shown in can be implemented by Figure 1 the communication connection of, the access point 110, and / or one or more of the wireless communication devices 120.

[0060] can be selected from Figure 1 the wireless communication devices 120 of Figure 3Devices (e.g., Device 1 305a, Device 2 305b, Device 3 305c, Device 4 305d, and Device 5 305e) and can each receive a periodic broadcast (PA) during a scan period 310. The scan period 310 can occur at regularly scheduled intervals and can repeat periodically such that the devices (e.g., Device 1 305a, Device 2 305b, Device 3 305c, Device 4 305d, and Device 5 305e) can wake up to scan for messages during the repeated scan period 310. An access point (e.g., Figure 1 Access Point 110) can provide a periodic broadcast (PA) to the devices (e.g., Device 1 305a, Device 2 305b, Device 3 305c, Device 4 305d, and Device 5 305e) via broadcast or multicast during the scan period 310. For the access point (e.g., Figure 1 Access Point 110), the scan period 310 can be its primary transmission period. In some cases, the scan period 310 can be not a fixed time because the access point (e.g., Figure 1 Access Point 110) can send data of different lengths from the start of the scan period 310.

[0061] Transmissions can include multiple broadcasts in a sequence. One or more parts of the broadcasts can be directed to one or more of the devices (e.g., Device 1 305a, Device 2 305b, Device 3 305c, Device 4 305d, and Device 5 305e). The devices (e.g., Device 1 305a, Device 2 305b, Device 3 305c, Device 4 305d, and Device 5 305e) can decode or filter messages that are intended for each specific device and are sent during a period when all devices are receiving. In this way, the devices (e.g., Device 1 305a, Device 2 305b, Device 3 305c, Device 4 305d, and Device 5 305e) can be reprogrammed, updated, and / or sent requests from the access point (e.g., Figure 1 Access Point 110), or relayed from another device (e.g., Figure 1 Access Point 110) through the access point (e.g., Figure 1 Management Entity 130). The periodic broadcast (PA) from the access point (e.g., Figure 1 Access Point 110) can set a response period for one or more of the devices (e.g., Device 1 305a, Device 2 305b, Device 3 305c, Device 4 305d, and Device 5 305e).

[0062] As shown, devices (e.g., device 1 305a, device 2 305b, device 3 305c, device 4 305d, and device 5 305e) are each assigned response periods 320, 322, 324, 326, 328 at a time after the scan period 310. In some cases, the assignment of response periods to specific devices may not be permanent. In some aspects, the assignment can be inferred based on the payload of the synchronization message. The first response period 320 can begin after an idle time 315 after the scan period 310, where the idle period is long enough to provide the transmitter device with an opportunity to perform other Bluetooth-related activities. The assigned response periods can also be limited or specified to a particular frequency of the channel on which to respond. For example, in Figure 3 device 1 305a is assigned response period 320, device 2 305b is assigned response period 322, device 3 305c is assigned response period 324, device 4 305d is assigned response period 326, and device 5 305e is assigned response period 328. An access point (e.g., Figure 1 access point 110 of

[0063] can store attributes of the devices (e.g., device 1 305a, device 2 305b, device 3 305c, device 4 305d, and device 5 305e), including whether the device is capable of transmitting or responding. Periodic advertising with multiple responses (PAwMR) can be referred to as the PA signaling followed by a response. Figure 1 For example, device 3 305c (e.g., Figure 1 wireless communication device 120 of Figure 1 can be an ESL and can receive a price update in the PA from an access point (e.g., Figure 1 access point 110 of Figure 1 during the scan period 310. The PA received at device 3 305c can include the specified start time of response period 324, or can include a schedule including the response start time of the device including device 3 305c. The response of device 3 305c to the access point (e.g.,

[0064] Figure 1 access point 110 of

[0064] Figure 1 access point 110) can include an acknowledgement, a status code, and / or other information such as battery life, received signal strength, and / or error notification. The response of device 3 305c can include information to be relayed by the access point (e.g.,

[0064] Figure 1 access point 110 of

[0064] Figure 1 access point 110) to another device. The response can include a packet with a header and can conform to any Bluetooth protocol. The response can be sent to the access point (e.g.,

[0064] Figure 1 access point 110 of

[0064] Figure 1 access point 110) in the data channel of the Bluetooth protocol. The PA and the responses from all devices (e.g., device 1 305a, device 2 305b, device 3 305c, device 4 305d, and device 5 305e) can use the channels of the Bluetooth protocol.A device (e.g., device 5 305e) that has been assigned a response period may not respond and may determine that it has nothing to transmit. In other words, a device (e.g., device 1 305a, device 2 305b, device 3 305c, device 4 305d, and device 5 305e) may determine what response (if any) is required and may or may not respond to a request sent from an access point (e.g., Figure 1 access point 110). Response periods 320, 322, 324, 326, 328 may be assigned based on requests for such periods during the open transmission time, which are sent to an access point (e.g., Figure 1 access point 110). Response periods 320, 322, 324, 326, 328 may be assigned based on which devices the access point (e.g., Figure 1 access point 110) has requested to send data or acknowledgments. The PA message and response may be on the hopping frequency of the broadcast channel, the time synchronization channel, and / or the extended channel in Bluetooth.

[0065] As previously mentioned, Figure 4 an example PAwR of two sets of wireless network devices 420a, 420b is shown (e.g., a first set including ESL 1 to ESL 11, and a second set including ESL 12 to ESL 22). Specifically, Figure 4 is a signaling diagram showing an example of a communication transmission 400 between a network device 410 (e.g., a central device, which may be an access point) and two sets of wireless communication devices 420a, 420b (e.g., peripheral devices, which may be ESLs). Referring to Figure 1 ,, Figure 4 the signal sequence shown in may be implemented by Figure 1 one or more communication connections, access point 110, and / or wireless communication device 120.

[0066] In Figure 4 , the signaling diagram is shown in a graph form, where the x-axis represents time in milliseconds (ms) and the y-axis represents specific wireless communication devices 420a, 420b (e.g., ESL 1, ESL 2, ESL 3, ESL 4, ESL 5, ESL 6, ESL 7, ESL 8, ESL 9, ESL 10, ESL 11, ESL 12, ESL 13, ESL 14, ESL 15, ESL 16, ESL 17, ESL 18, ESL 19, ESL 20, ESL 21, and ESL 22). Specifically, Figure 4The x-axis of the graph represents time starting from 0 ms and ending at 25 ms. The time can be divided into two sub-frames, each sub-frame having a length of 12.5 ms. Thus, the two sub-frames can include a first sub-frame from 0 ms to 12.5 ms and a second sub-frame from 12.5 ms to 25 ms. In one or more examples, as Figure 4 shown, there can be more or fewer than two sub-frames, and / or each sub-frame can be longer or shorter than 12.5 ms, as Figure 4 shown.

[0067] In one or more examples, wireless communication devices 420a, 420b (e.g., peripheral devices) can be assigned (e.g., by network device 410 and / or by a network entity such as a management entity) to different groups (e.g., two groups) of wireless communication devices 420a, 420b. For example, wireless communication device 420a (e.g., ESL 1, ESL 2, ESL 3, ESL 4, ESL 5, ESL6, ESL 7, ESL 8, ESL 9, ESL 10, and ESL 11) can be assigned to a first group (e.g., group 1), and wireless communication device 420b (e.g., ESL 12, ESL 13, ESL 14, ESL 15, ESL 16, ESL 17, ESL 18, ESL 19, ESL 20, ESL 21, and ESL 22) can be assigned to a second group (e.g., group 2).

[0068] In Figure 4 during the operation of PAwR, at time 0 ms of the first time sub-frame, network device 410 (e.g., a central device, such as an AP) can send 430a a PA containing a synchronization message (e.g., an AP synchronization message) on the synchronization channel between network device 410 and wireless communication devices 420a, 420b to a first group (e.g., group 1) of wireless communication devices 420a (e.g., ESL 1, ESL 2, ESL 3, ESL 4, ESL 5, ESL 6, ESL7, ESL 8, ESL 9, ESL 10, and ESL 11). As previously described, the synchronization message can include one or more commands. For example, the command can include an operation code (OpCode) and parameters associated with the command. At time 0 ms, the first group of wireless communication devices 420a (e.g., ESL 1, ESL 2, ESL 3, ESL 4, ESL5, ESL 6, ESL 7, ESL 8, ESL 9, ESL 10, and ESL 11) can receive 435a the PA containing the synchronization message on the synchronization channel.

[0069] In one or more examples, network device 410 may be configured to send a PA at specific time intervals (e.g., time sub-frames), such as every 12.5 ms, as Figure 4 shown. In one or more examples, the specific time interval (e.g., sub-frame) may be shorter or longer than 12.5 ms, as Figure 4 shown. Wireless communication devices 420a, 420b may respond to the PA by using their specific corresponding response time slots in time.

[0070] In one or more examples, sending a synchronization message 430a to a first group of wireless communication devices 420a (e.g., group 1) (e.g., ESL 1, ESL 2, ESL 3, ESL 4, ESL 5, ESL 6, ESL 7, ESL 8, ESL 9, ESL 10, and ESL 11) may indicate corresponding response time slots for one or more of the wireless communication devices 420a in the first group (e.g., ESL1, ESL 2, ESL 3, ESL 4, ESL 5, ESL 6, ESL 7, ESL 8, ESL 9, ESL 10, and / or ESL 11) for sending a 440a response to network device 410. If a wireless communication device 420a (e.g., ESL 1, ESL 2, ESL 3, ESL 4, ESL 5, ESL 6, ESL 7, ESL 8, ESL 9, ESL 10, and ESL 11) is addressed within the synchronization message, the wireless communication device 420a (e.g., ESL 1, ESL 2, ESL 3, ESL 4, ESL 5, ESL 6, ESL 7, ESL 8, ESL9, ESL 10, and ESL 11) may respond (e.g., send 440a) in its corresponding response time slot, as indicated within the synchronization message.

[0071] For example, the synchronization message may indicate a specific sequence for one or more wireless communication devices in the wireless communication device 420a (e.g., ESL 1, ESL 2, ESL 3, ESL 4, ESL 5, ESL 6, ESL 7, ESL 8, ESL 9, ESL 10, and / or ESL 11) to respond in time (e.g., transmit 440a) (e.g., respond at response time slots located every 0.625 ms after 5 ms from the start of the subframe). For example, the sequence may indicate that the wireless communication device 420a (e.g., ESL 1) should respond in the response time slot located at 5 ms, the wireless communication device 420a (e.g., ESL 2) should respond in the response time slot located at 5.625 ms, the wireless communication device 420a (e.g., ESL 3) should respond in the response time slot located at 6.25 ms, the wireless communication device 420a (e.g., ESL 4) should respond in the response time slot located at 6.875 ms, the wireless communication device 420a (e.g., ESL 5) should respond in the response time slot located at 7.5 ms, the wireless communication device 420a (e.g., ESL 6) should respond in the response time slot located at 8.125 ms, the wireless communication device 420a (e.g., ESL 7) should respond in the response time slot located at 8.75 ms, the wireless communication device 420a (e.g., ESL 8) should respond in the response time slot located at 9.375 ms, the wireless communication device 420a (e.g., ESL 9) should respond in the response time slot located at 10 ms, the wireless communication device 420a (e.g., ESL 10) should respond in the response time slot located at 10.625 ms, and the wireless communication device 420a (e.g., ESL 11) should respond in the response time slot located at 11.25 ms.

[0072] After one or more wireless communication devices 420a (e.g., ESL 1, ESL 2, ESL 3, ESL 4, ESL 5, ESL 6, ESL 7, ESL 8, ESL 9, ESL 10, and ESL 11) have received 435a the PA containing the synchronization message from the network device 410 according to the sequence specified within the synchronization message, one or more wireless communication devices 420a (e.g., ESL 1, ESL 2, ESL 3, ESL 4, ESL 5, ESL 6, ESL 7, ESL 8, ESL 9, ESL 10, and / or ESL 11) may send 440a their responses within their respective response time slots. After one or more wireless communication devices 420a (e.g., ESL 1, ESL 2, ESL 3, ESL 4, ESL 5, ESL 6, ESL 7, ESL 8, ESL 9, ESL 10, and / or ESL 11) have sent 440a their responses within their respective time slots, the network device 410 may receive 445a the responses sent by it at those specific response time slot times.

[0073] Then, during the operation of PAwR, at 12.5 ms of the second time subframe, the network device 410 may send 430b a PA containing a synchronization message to a second group (e.g., group 2) of wireless communication devices 420b (e.g., ESL 12, ESL 13, ESL 14, ESL 15, ESL 16, ESL 17, ESL 18, ESL 19, ESL 20, ESL 21, and ESL 22) on the synchronization channel between the network device 410 and the wireless communication devices 420a, 420b. Additionally, at 12.5 ms, the second group of wireless communication devices 420b (e.g., ESL 12, ESL 13, ESL 14, ESL 15, ESL 16, ESL 17, ESL 18, ESL 19, ESL 20, ESL 21, and ESL 22) may receive 435b the PA containing the synchronization message on the synchronization channel.

[0074] Sending 430b of synchronization messages to a second group (e.g., group 2) of wireless communication devices 420b (e.g., ESL 12, ESL 13, ESL 14, ESL 15, ESL 16, ESL 17, ESL 18, ESL 19, ESL 20, ESL 21, and ESL 22) may indicate corresponding response time slots for one or more of the wireless communication devices 420b in the second group (e.g., ESL 12, ESL 13, ESL 14, ESL 15, ESL 16, ESL 17, ESL 18, ESL 19, ESL 20, ESL 21, and / or ESL 22) for sending 440b responses to the network device 410. If a wireless communication device 420b (e.g., ESL 12, ESL 13, ESL 14, ESL 15, ESL 16, ESL 17, ESL 18, ESL 19, ESL 20, ESL 21, and ESL 22) is addressed within the synchronization message, the wireless communication device 420b (e.g., ESL 12, ESL 13, ESL 14, ESL 15, ESL 16, ESL 17, ESL 18, ESL 19, ESL 20, ESL 21, and ESL 22) may respond (e.g., send 440b) in its corresponding response time slot as indicated within the synchronization message.

[0075] For example, the synchronization message may indicate a specific sequence for one or more wireless communication devices in the wireless communication device 420b (e.g., ESL 12, ESL 13, ESL 14, ESL 15, ESL 16, ESL 17, ESL 18, ESL 19, ESL 20, ESL 21, and / or ESL 22) to respond in time (e.g., transmit 440b) (e.g., respond at response time slots located every 0.625 ms after 5 ms from the start of the subframe). For example, the sequence may indicate that the wireless communication device 420b (e.g., ESL 12) should respond in the response time slot located at 17.5 ms, the wireless communication device 420b (e.g., ESL 13) should respond in the response time slot located at 18.125 ms, the wireless communication device 420b (e.g., ESL 14) should respond in the response time slot located at 18.75 ms, the wireless communication device 420b (e.g., ESL 15) should respond in the response time slot located at 19.375 ms, the wireless communication device 420b (e.g., ESL 16) should respond in the response time slot located at 20 ms, the wireless communication device 420b (e.g., ESL 17) should respond in the response time slot located at 20.625 ms, the wireless communication device 420b (e.g., ESL 18) should respond in the response time slot located at 21.25 ms, the wireless communication device 420b (e.g., ESL 19) should respond in the response time slot located at 21.875 ms, the wireless communication device 420b (e.g., ESL 20) should respond in the response time slot located at 22.5 ms, the wireless communication device 420b (e.g., ESL 21) should respond in the response time slot located at 23.125 ms, and the wireless communication device 420b (e.g., ESL 22) should respond in the response time slot located at 23.75 ms.

[0076] After one or more wireless communication devices 420b (e.g., ESL 12, ESL 13, ESL 14, ESL 15, ESL 16, ESL 17, ESL 18, ESL 19, ESL 20, ESL 21, and ESL 22) have received 435b a PA containing a synchronization message from network device 410 according to the sequence specified within the synchronization message, one or more wireless communication devices 420b (e.g., ESL 12, ESL 13, ESL 14, ESL 15, ESL 16, ESL 17, ESL 18, ESL 19, ESL 20, ESL 21, and / or ESL 22) may send 440b their responses within their respective response time slots. After one or more wireless communication devices 420b (e.g., ESL 12, ESL 13, ESL 14, ESL 15, ESL 16, ESL 17, ESL 18, ESL 19, ESL 20, ESL 21, and / or ESL 22) have sent 440b their responses within their corresponding time slots, network device 410 may receive 445b the responses it sent during those specific response time slot times. Then, PAwR may continue similarly for subsequent time subframes.

[0077] As previously mentioned, PAwR does not provide an opportunity for wireless communication devices (e.g., wireless communication devices 420a, 420b, peripheral devices such as ESLs) to send (e.g., transmit) messages initiated by peripheral devices to network devices (e.g., network device 410, central devices such as access points) on the synchronization channel. In one or more aspects, the system and technology provide PAwR with the ability to have messages initiated by peripheral devices on the synchronization channel. The system and technology provide a solution to allow peripheral devices (e.g., Figure 4 wireless communication devices 420a, 420b in the form of ESLs) to be able to send (e.g., transmit) messages initiated by peripheral devices on the synchronization channel between a central device (e.g., Figure 4 network device 410 in the form of an access point) and the peripheral device. In one or more aspects, a configurable number of response time slots in the synchronization channel may be reserved for messages initiated by peripheral devices, such that peripheral devices can send messages (e.g., messages initiated by peripheral devices) to the central device at will by using these reserved response time slots. The response time slots may be reserved statically by static allocation (e.g., a specific response time slot may be statically reserved for only messages initiated by peripheral devices), or reserved dynamically by dynamic allocation (e.g., response time slots for which the central device does not expect a response may be dynamically reserved for messages initiated by peripheral devices). The reserved response time slots for messages initiated by peripheral devices may be located anywhere within the response time slot sequence (e.g., the response time slot sequence specified within the synchronization message from the central device).

[0078] Figure 5 and Figure 6 each shows a set 520, 620 of reserved time slots for messages initiated by a peripheral device located at different positions (e.g., at the start or end) within a sequence of response time slots. For example, Figure 5 shows a set 520 of reserved time slots for messages initiated by a peripheral device located at the start of the response time slot sequence 510, and Figure 6 shows a set 620 of reserved time slots for messages initiated by a peripheral device located at the end of the response time slot sequence 610.

[0079] Specifically, Figure 5 is a signaling diagram showing an example of a communication transmission 500, the communication transmission 500 including a set 520 (e.g., r0, r1, r2) of reserved time slots for messages initiated by a peripheral device located at the start of the response time slot sequence 510 (e.g., r0, r1, r2, r3, r4, r5, r6, r7, r8, r9, r 10 、r 11 ). Figure 5 shows a plurality of time slots 530a, 530b, 510 distributed over time (e.g., the x-axis represents time in ms). The sequence of response time slots 510 is shown as being located between two transmission time slots 530a, 530b. A network device (e.g., a central device such as an access point) can send an AP to one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a wireless communication device such as an ESL) in each of the transmission time slots 530a, 530b. A set 520 of reserved time slots from the start portion of the response time slot 510 can be reserved only for messages initiated by a peripheral device sent by the peripheral device.

[0080] Figure 6 is a signaling diagram showing an example of a communication transmission 600, the communication transmission 600 including a set 620 (e.g., r0, r1, r2) of reserved time slots for messages initiated by a peripheral device located at the end of the response time slot sequence 610 (e.g., r0, r1, r2, r3, r4, r5, r6, r7, r8, r9, r 10 、r 11 ). Figure 6A plurality of time slots 630a, 630b, 610 are shown distributed over time (e.g., the x-axis represents time in ms). The sequence of response time slots 610 is shown to be located between two transmission time slots 630a, 630b. A network device (e.g., a central device such as an access point) may send an AP to one or more peripheral devices (e.g., wireless communication devices such as ESLs) in each of the transmission time slots 630a, 630b. A set 620 of reserved time slots from the end portion of the response time slot 610 may be reserved only for peripheral device-initiated messages sent by the peripheral devices.

[0081] A peripheral device may be in a group to which the peripheral device belongs (such as, Figure 4 the wireless communication devices 420a in group 1 (e.g., ESL1, ESL2, ESL3, ESL4, ESL5, ESL6, ESL7, ESL8, ESL9, ESL10, and ESL11)), a plurality of response time slots (e.g., Figure 5 the set 520 of reserved time slots, Figure 6 the set 620 of reserved time slots, etc.) reserved for the group send peripheral device-initiated messages in the reserved response time slots. As described above, the peripheral devices within a particular group may wake up at the same PA transmission for a particular PAwR sequence for that group. In some cases, the peripheral devices belonging to a particular group may use the response time slots reserved for the peripheral devices of one or more other groups to send peripheral device-initiated messages. For example, the peripheral devices from the first group (e.g., Figure 4 group 1 including ESL1, ESL2 to ESL 11) may send peripheral device-initiated messages in the reserved response time slots among the plurality of response time slots reserved for the second group (e.g., Figure 4 group 2 including ESL12, ESL 13 to ESL 22) and / or other groups. By using the response time slots reserved for peripheral device-initiated messages, the peripheral devices may send peripheral device-initiated messages to the central device (e.g., AP) without waiting for the synchronization messages for their own group.

[0082] As previously mentioned, the response time slots may be statically reserved by static allocation (e.g., a particular response time slot may be statically reserved to be used only for peripheral device-initiated messages), or dynamically reserved by dynamic allocation (e.g., the response time slots for which the central device does not expect a response may be dynamically reserved for peripheral device-initiated messages). Details regarding the static allocation of the reserved response time slots and the dynamic allocation of the reserved response time slots are discussed below.

[0083] In one or more aspects, for the static allocation of the reserved response time slots for receiving peripheral device-initiated messages, for any synchronization message, N response time slots may be reserved (e.g., asFigure 5 and Figure 6 three reserved time slots in the sets 520, 620 of reserved time slots shown), for use only in messages initiated by a peripheral device (e.g., for transmission of messages in the direction from a peripheral device to a central device), such that these reserved time slots may not be used for transmission of messages in the direction from the central device to the peripheral device. These reserved N response time slots may be used by any peripheral device within a group of peripheral devices to send a response.

[0084] Which one of the reserved N available response time slots to select for transmission may be determined by the peripheral device itself. The peripheral device may determine which one of the reserved N available response time slots to use by using a random policy (e.g., randomly selecting a time slot) or by following a policy related to some information associated with the peripheral device itself, such as a device ID (EID), a Bluetooth address (BD_ADDR), a private key, and / or any other characteristic of the device. Obviously, but not exclusively, a peripheral device having a command in a synchronization message from the central device (e.g., a command to send a response to the central device, which may be inferred from a sequence in the synchronization message specifying a response time slot for that peripheral device to respond to the central device) is less likely to consume any of the reserved N available response time slots, since the peripheral device may simply use a dedicated response time slot associated with the command.

[0085] In one or more examples, the central device may add a "bit" (e.g., which may be set to "1" or "0") to the synchronization message, which indicates whether the central device will scan these reserved N response time slots for receiving any peripheral device-initiated messages from any peripheral device. For example, if the central device sets the additional bit to "1" in the synchronization message, this may indicate to the peripheral device receiving the synchronization message that the central device will scan the reserved N response time slots for receiving any possible peripheral device-initiated messages. Conversely, if the central device sets the additional bit to "0" in the synchronization message (e.g., for power saving purposes, such as when the central device is battery-powered), this may indicate to the peripheral device receiving the synchronization message that the central device will not scan the reserved N response time slots for receiving any peripheral device-initiated messages. In one or more examples, the central device may determine whether to set the additional bit to "1" or "0" on a per-synchronization-message basis or based on a specific duration. In some cases, when there are no reserved time slots, the central device may not perform a scan. In other respects, no indication is provided for the central device to perform a scan, in which case the central device may always scan the reserved N response time slots.

[0086] In one or more aspects, for the dynamic allocation of reserved response time slots for receiving messages initiated by a peripheral device, the peripheral device can choose to use a response time slot that has not been indicated by the sequence in the synchronization message to be used for the response to the central device to send the message initiated by the peripheral device. For example, not all response time slots within a subframe can be indicated by the sequence in the synchronization message to be used for the response to the central device. When a peripheral device that wants to communicate with the central device (e.g., send a message initiated by the peripheral device) receives a synchronization message from the central device, the peripheral device can choose (e.g., determine) to send the message (e.g., the message initiated by the peripheral device) on any response time slot within the subframe that has not been indicated by the sequence in the synchronization message to be used for the response to the central device. Then, the central device can scan for responses in all response time slots (e.g., including those not indicated by the sequence in the synchronization message to be used for the response to the central device).

[0087] In one or more examples, similar to the static allocation of reserved response time slots, for the dynamic allocation of reserved response time slots, the central device can add a "bit" (e.g., which can be set to "1" or "0") to the synchronization message, and this "bit" indicates whether the central device is willing to expend effort to scan response time slots not indicated by the sequence in the synchronization message to be used for the response to the central device. For example, if the central device sets this additional bit to "1" in the synchronization message, this can indicate to the peripheral device receiving the synchronization message that the central device will scan response time slots not indicated by the sequence in the synchronization message to be used for the response to the central device. Conversely, if the central device sets this additional bit to "0" (e.g., for power saving purposes) in the synchronization message, this can indicate to the peripheral device receiving the synchronization message that the central device will not scan response time slots not indicated by the sequence in the synchronization message to be used for the response to the central device. In one or more examples, the central device can determine whether to set the additional bit to "1" or "0" on a per-synchronization-message basis or on the basis of a specific duration.

[0088] For static allocation of reserved response time slots or dynamic allocation of reserved response time slots, if messages are sent in the same response time slot, messages initiated by peripheral devices from two or more peripheral devices may clash (e.g., conflict). In one or more examples, a network device (e.g., a central device such as an access point) and / or a network entity (e.g., a management entity) can send (e.g., at a later AP synchronization message opportunity) an acknowledgement (ACK) (e.g., via a specific command) to the peripheral device via the network device to indicate that a message initiated by the peripheral device from the peripheral device has been successfully received by the network device and / or the network entity. In the absence of receiving an ACK from the network device and / or the network entity, the peripheral device can simply continue to send (e.g., transmit) messages initiated by the peripheral device within the reserved response time slot until the peripheral device receives an ACK.

[0089] An advantage of this method of using reserved response time slots within synchronization messages on the synchronization channel to send messages initiated by peripheral devices is that it reduces spectrum congestion on the traditional broadcast channel because the synchronization channel is used instead of the traditional broadcast channel for transmission. Additionally, a separate unconnected broadcast is not required for the transmission of messages based on peripheral devices because instead the response to the PA in the synchronization channel is utilized.

[0090] Another advantage of this method is that it does not require changing the internal scheduling of the peripheral device (e.g., ESL) because this method re-uses existing response time slots on the synchronization channel for the transmission of messages initiated by the peripheral device. Since this method re-uses existing response time slots on the synchronization channel for the transmission of messages initiated by the peripheral device, the peripheral device is able to remain in a lower power mode even for the transmission of messages based on the peripheral device. The lower power mode can include a low power (LP) mode, a mode that only requires sufficient power to perform necessary operations, or other lower power operation modes. For example, using the method described herein, the peripheral device can operate in a mode where the peripheral device only uses sufficient power required to track (and in some cases respond to) PAwR messages. Compared to the normal power operation mode, a peripheral device operating in the LP mode can use less radio activity and / or can access fewer functions over a certain period of time, which results in lower memory consumption and in turn lower power consumption.

[0091] Figure 7 An example of signaling between a central device and multiple peripheral devices for this method is shown, where this method uses reserved response time slots within synchronization messages on the synchronization channel to send messages based on peripheral devices. Specifically, Figure 7is a signaling diagram showing an example of a communication transmission 700 between a network device 710 and a group of wireless communication devices 720a, 720b, 720c, 720d within a PAwR network. The network device 710 can be a central device, such as an access point (AP). The wireless communication devices 720a, 720b, 720c, 720d can include peripheral devices, such as ESLs. For example, the wireless communication device 720a can be a first ESL (referred to as ESL 1), the wireless communication device 720b can be a second ESL (referred to as ESL 2), the wireless communication device 720c can be a third ESL (referred to as ESL 3), and the wireless communication device 720d can be a fourth ESL (referred to as ESL 4). In some cases, the wireless communication devices 720a, 720b, 720c, 720d can be part of a group of wireless communication devices (e.g., a group of peripheral devices, such as ESLs) that receive PAs (including synchronization messages) from the network device 710 based on a specific PAwR sequence of the PAwR network. For example, the group of wireless communication devices can wake up (e.g., wake up from a low power (LP) mode) at the same PA transmission regarding the PAwR sequence.

[0092] As Figure 7 shown, during the operation of PAwR having the ability to initiate messages for peripheral devices on the synchronization channel, the network device 710 can statically (e.g., at network creation or as part of an image) or dynamically (e.g., via a synchronization message) provide (e.g., send) information 730 indicating reserved response time slots to be used for transmitting messages initiated by peripheral devices to a group of wireless communication devices including devices 720a, 720b, 720c, 720d. The network device 710 can send the information 730 to the wireless communication device 720a, the wireless communication device 720b, the wireless communication device 720c, and the wireless communication device 720d in a single transmission, and / or to other wireless communication devices in the group. The network device 710 can scan the reserved response time slots for any possible messages initiated by peripheral devices, such as when it is indicated in the synchronization message (e.g., via a bit set to "1") that the network device 710 will perform this scanning function.

[0093] In an illustrative example, a wireless communication device 720c (e.g., ESL 3) may determine a message 740 initiated by a peripheral device to be sent (e.g., transmitted). When determining to send the message 740 initiated by the peripheral device, the wireless communication device 720c may determine a time slot in a reserved response time slot (e.g., reserved for a group of wireless communication devices including the wireless communication device 720c) for sending the message 740 initiated by the peripheral device to the network device 710. Then, the wireless communication device 720c may use the determined time slot in the reserved response time slot on the synchronization channel to send the message 740 initiated by the peripheral device to the network device 710. The network device 710 may receive the message 740 initiated by the peripheral device sent from the wireless communication device 720c through the synchronization channel.

[0094] In one or more examples, after the network device 710 receives the message 740 initiated by the peripheral device, the network device 710 may send back an acknowledgment (ACK) message 750 to the wireless communication device 720c (e.g., ESL 3) in the next synchronization message. The wireless communication device 720c may continue to re - send the message 740 initiated by the peripheral device on the reserved response time slot until the wireless communication device 720c receives the ACK message 750 from the network device 710.

[0095] In one or more aspects, an existing PAwR peripheral device (e.g., ESL) may know the timing of the response time slot for responding to an AP synchronization message from a central device (e.g., network device 710, such as an AP) (e.g., by storing information defining the timing). The peripheral device may utilize this information and supplementary information (e.g., which may include a reserved response time slot for a message initiated by the peripheral device) to select a time slot in the reserved response time slot for the transmission of the message initiated by the peripheral device. Subsequently, the peripheral device may use the selected time slot to send the message initiated by the peripheral device on the synchronization channel.

[0096] As previously mentioned, in one or more aspects, the central device can add one or more "bits" (e.g., which can be set to "1" or "0") to the synchronization message indicating whether the central device will scan (e.g., listen for) reserved response time slots. For example, in some cases, for any response time slot that the central device will scan (e.g., listen for), a bit value of 1 can be included in the synchronization message, and for any response time slot that the central device will not scan, a bit value of 0 can be included. In some cases, multiple such bits can be included in a bitmask (also referred to as a bitmap) to indicate whether the central device will scan a particular response time slot. The bitmask (or bitmap) can be included in the synchronization message. This bit (or the complete bitmask or bitmap) can indicate to the peripheral device (e.g., ESL) whether the central device (e.g., access point) will scan (e.g., listen for) reserved response time slots for messages initiated by any peripheral device.

[0097] In one or more aspects, to ensure successful delivery of messages initiated by a peripheral device (e.g., an ESL) from the peripheral device to the central device (e.g., network device 710 such as an AP) (e.g., to avoid collisions of messages initiated by peripheral devices), after sending a message initiated by the peripheral device within a reserved response time slot, the peripheral device can repeat sending the message initiated by the peripheral device in other reserved response time slots (e.g., repeat sending during one or more subsequent sub - frames). In some examples, the peripheral device can randomly select which of the reserved response time slots to send the message initiated by the peripheral device.

[0098] In one or more aspects, for deployments where multiple peripheral devices (e.g., ESLs) can be expected to send messages initiated by the peripheral devices to the central device (e.g., access point), multiple mechanisms can be employed to avoid contention (e.g., collisions). In one or more examples, dynamic configuration can be utilized, where a bit (e.g., referred to herein as an "AP scan bit") can be added to the synchronization message to indicate that the central device will scan (e.g., listen for) all reserved response time slots.

[0099] In one or more examples, an AP scan bit can be added to the synchronization message to indicate that the central device will scan all reserved response time slots and that only the peripheral devices whose device ID (EID) is even (or odd) should send the peripheral device-initiated messages for that subframe. In one example, an AP scan bit set to "1" in the synchronization message can indicate that the central device will scan all reserved response time slots and that only the peripheral devices whose device ID (EID) is even should send the peripheral device-initiated messages for that subframe. Conversely, for example, an AP scan bit set to "0" in the synchronization message can indicate that the central device will scan all reserved response time slots and that only the peripheral devices whose device ID (EID) is odd should send the peripheral device-initiated messages for that subframe.

[0100] In one or more examples, a peripheral device (e.g., an ESL) can wait for an ACK in N subsequent (e.g., the next two) synchronization messages to confirm the successful delivery of the peripheral device-initiated message. In the case where the peripheral device does not receive an ACK in N subsequent (e.g., the next two) synchronization messages, the peripheral device can use range-bound random subframe selection to retry the transmission of the peripheral device-initiated message. For example, the peripheral device can randomly select the nth subframe from all subframes (e.g., from a range of 1 - 128 subframes) for retrying the transmission of the peripheral device-initiated message. In one or more examples, the range of subframes can be a lower value (e.g., less than 128 subframes) or a larger value (e.g., more than 128 subframes), depending on the number of expected peripheral devices within the deployment.

[0101] In one or more examples, a peripheral device can combine one or more events together in a non-request message (e.g., a peripheral device-initiated message) subject to the message length per response time slot (e.g., there is a limit to the number of bits that the peripheral device can send within a given response time slot). Thus, if the peripheral device has multiple events, the peripheral device can combine the events into a single peripheral device-initiated message (e.g., subject to not exceeding the maximum message length for that particular response time slot) and send the peripheral device-initiated message in that response time slot. Combining the events into a single peripheral device-initiated message allows avoiding multiple transmissions from the peripheral device.

[0102] In cases where the deployment expects very frequent peripheral device-initiated messages, the central device (e.g., an access point) can allocate alternative subframes or alternative groups that will be reserved only for peripheral device-initiated messages. For these cases, the central device (e.g., an access point) will not assign an EID in that subframe. Alternatively, the number of response time slots per frame (e.g., which can include multiple subframes) can be increased per subframe.

[0103] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of process 800 of wireless communication showing a method of Periodic Advertisement with Response (PAwR) having the ability to initiate messages for peripheral devices on a synchronization channel. Process 800 may be performed by a network device (e.g., Figure 7 network device 710) or by a component or system of a network device (e.g., a chipset). The network device may include a central device such as an AP (e.g., Figure 1 AP 110 and / or Figure 4 AP 410). Operations of process 800 may be implemented as software components executed and run on one or more processors (e.g., Figure 10 processor 1010 or other processors). Additionally, transmission and reception of signals by the network device in process 800 may be implemented, for example, via one or more antennas and / or one or more transceivers such as one or more wireless transceivers (e.g., using Figure 10 communication interface 1040).

[0104] At block 810, the network device (or its component) may send (e.g., using Figure 10 communication interface 1040) a periodic advertisement on the synchronization channel to a plurality of wireless communication devices. For example, the synchronization channel is between the network device and the plurality of wireless communication devices. In some cases, the plurality of wireless communication devices are peripheral devices (e.g., ESL).

[0105] At block 820, the network device (or its component) may receive (e.g., using Figure 10 communication interface 1040) messages initiated by one or more of the plurality of wireless communication devices in one or more reserved response time slots on the synchronization channel. For example, the one or more reserved response time slots are reserved for the one or more messages initiated by the one or more wireless communication devices. One or more reserved response time slots may be selected (e.g., by the network device) from the plurality of response time slots available for responding to the periodic advertisement. For example, as Figure 5 shown, a set 520 of reserved time slots for messages initiated by peripheral devices is selected from a sequence of response time slots 510 available for responding to the periodic advertisement.

[0106] In some aspects, the periodic advertisement includes a synchronization message. For example, the synchronization message may include a sequence for the plurality of wireless communication devices to respond to the periodic advertisement (e.g., Figure 5 transmission 530a, Figure 6transmission 630a, etc.). The sequence may indicate one or more unused response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast. One or more reserved response time slots may be selected from the one or more unused response time slots (e.g., a reserved response time slot may be selected as Figure 5 the sequence of response time slot 510 of Figure 6 the sequence of response time slot 610 of

[0107] In some cases, the network device (or its component) may send (e.g., using Figure 10 the communication interface 1040 of

[0108] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a process 900 of wireless communication that utilizes periodic broadcast with response (PAwR) having the ability to initiate messages for peripheral devices on the synchronization channel. Process 900 may be performed by a wireless communication device (e.g., Figure 1 the wireless communication device 120 of Figure 4 which may be a peripheral device, such as Figure 10 the ESL 1 420a of Figure 10 or by a component or system (e.g., a chipset) of the wireless communication device. The operations of process 900 may be implemented as software components executed and run on one or more processors (e.g.,

[0109] At block 910, the wireless communication device (or its component) may receive (e.g., using Figure 10 the communication interface 1040 of Figure 1 the periodic broadcast from the network device on the synchronization channel. For example, the synchronization channel is between the network device and a plurality of wireless communication devices including the wireless communication device. The network device may include a central device, such as an AP (e.g., Figure 4 the AP 110 of

[0110] At block 920, a wireless communication device (or its component) may send a message initiated by the wireless communication device (e.g., using the communication interface 1040) to a network device in a reserved response time slot on a synchronization channel. For example, the reserved response time slot is reserved for transmitting one or more messages initiated by one or more wireless communication devices. The reserved response time slot (and other reserved response time slots) may be selected (e.g., by the network device) from among a plurality of response time slots available for responding to a periodic broadcast. For example, as shown, a set 520 of reserved time slots for messages initiated by a peripheral device is selected from a sequence of response time slots 510 available for responding to a periodic broadcast. Figure 10 In some aspects, the periodic broadcast includes a synchronization message. For example, the synchronization message may include a sequence for multiple wireless communication devices to respond to the periodic broadcast (e.g., transmission 530a, transmission 630a, etc.). This sequence may indicate one or more unused response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast. The reserved response time slot (and other reserved response time slots) may be selected from one or more unused response time slots (e.g., the reserved response time slot may be selected as a sequence of response time slots 510, a sequence of response time slots 610, etc.). In some cases, the synchronization message indicates whether the network device will scan the reserved response time slot (and other reserved response time slots) for one of the subframes or durations. Figure 5 As shown, a set 520 of reserved time slots for messages initiated by a peripheral device is selected from a sequence of response time slots 510 available for responding to a periodic broadcast.

[0111] In some aspects, the periodic broadcast includes a synchronization message. For example, the synchronization message may include a sequence for multiple wireless communication devices to respond to the periodic broadcast (e.g., transmission 530a, transmission 630a, etc.). This sequence may indicate one or more unused response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast. The reserved response time slot (and other reserved response time slots) may be selected from one or more unused response time slots (e.g., the reserved response time slot may be selected as a sequence of response time slots 510, a sequence of response time slots 610, etc.). In some cases, the synchronization message indicates whether the network device will scan the reserved response time slot (and other reserved response time slots) for one of the subframes or durations. Figure 5 transmission 530a, Figure 6 As described above, in some cases, to ensure that a message initiated by a wireless communication device is delivered to the network device, the wireless communication device may expect to receive a delivery confirmation in the next AP synchronization message. If the confirmation is not received, the wireless communication device may retry sending (e.g., by re - sending) the message initiated by the peripheral device in a different reserved response time slot. In one example, the wireless communication device (or its component) may receive a confirmation message from the network device indicating that the message initiated by the wireless communication device has been received. In another example, the wireless communication device (or its component) may determine that a confirmation message indicating that the message initiated by the wireless communication device has been received has not been received from the network device. Based on the determination that the confirmation message has not been received from the network device, the wireless communication device (or its component) may re - send the message initiated by the wireless communication device to the network device in an additional reserved response time slot on the synchronization channel. Figure 5 a sequence of response time slots 510, Figure 6 a sequence of response time slots 610, etc.). In some cases, the synchronization message indicates whether the network device will scan the reserved response time slot (and other reserved response time slots) for one of the subframes or durations.

[0112] As described above, in some cases, to ensure that a message initiated by a wireless communication device is delivered to the network device, the wireless communication device may expect to receive a delivery confirmation in the next AP synchronization message. If the confirmation is not received, the wireless communication device may retry sending (e.g., by re - sending) the message initiated by the peripheral device in a different reserved response time slot. In one example, the wireless communication device (or its component) may receive a confirmation message from the network device indicating that the message initiated by the wireless communication device has been received. In another example, the wireless communication device (or its component) may determine that a confirmation message indicating that the message initiated by the wireless communication device has been received has not been received from the network device. Based on the determination that the confirmation message has not been received from the network device, the wireless communication device (or its component) may re - send the message initiated by the wireless communication device to the network device in an additional reserved response time slot on the synchronization channel.

[0113] A network device and / or a wireless communication device may include various components, such as one or more input devices, one or more output devices, one or more processors, one or more microprocessors, one or more microcomputers, one or more cameras, one or more sensors, one or more receivers, transmitters, and / or transceivers, and / or other components configured to perform the steps of the processes described herein.

[0114] configured to perform Figure 8 The components of the network device for process 800 and / or the wireless communication device configured to perform Figure 9 process 900 may be implemented in circuitry. For example, the components may include electronic circuits or other electronic hardware and / or may be implemented using electronic circuits or other electronic hardware, which may include one or more programmable electronic circuits (e.g., microprocessors, graphics processing units (GPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), central processing units (CPUs), and / or other suitable electronic circuits), and / or may include computer software, firmware, or any combination thereof and / or be implemented using computer software, firmware, or any combination thereof to perform the various operations described herein.

[0115] Process 800 and process 900 are shown as logic flowcharts, the operations of which represent a series of operations that may be implemented in hardware, computer instructions, or a combination thereof. In the context of computer instructions, the operations represent computer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media that, when executed by one or more processors, perform the operations. Generally, computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform a particular function or implement a particular data type. The order of the described operations is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described operations may be combined in any order and / or in parallel to implement the process.

[0116] Additionally, process 800, process 900, and / or other processes described herein may be executed under the control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions and may be implemented as code (e.g., executable instructions, one or more computer programs, or one or more applications) executed jointly on one or more processors, by hardware, or a combination thereof. As described above, the code may be stored, for example, in the form of a computer program including multiple instructions executable by one or more processors on a computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium. The computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium may be non-transitory.

[0117] Figure 10FIG. 0 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computing system 1000 that may be employed by the disclosed systems and techniques for periodic broadcast with response (PAwR) having the ability to initiate messages for peripheral devices (e.g., initiated by one or more ESLs) on a synchronous channel. Specifically, Figure 10 FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a computing system 1000, which may be any computing device, such as a component that makes up an internal computing system, a remote computing system, a camera, or any of its components, where the components of the system communicate with each other using connection 1005. Connection 1005 may be a physical connection using a bus or a direct connection into a processor 1010, such as in a chipset architecture. Connection 1005 may also be a virtual connection, a networked connection, or a logical connection.

[0118] In some aspects, computing system 1000 is a distributed system, where the functionality described in this disclosure may be distributed within a data center, multiple data centers, a peer-to-peer network, etc. In some aspects, one or more of the described system components represent many such components, each component performing some or all of the functionality of the described component. In some aspects, the components may be physical or virtual devices.

[0119] The example system 1000 includes at least one processing unit (CPU or processor) 1010 and a connection 1005 that communicatively couples various system components, including a system memory 1015 (such as a read-only memory (ROM) 1020 and a random access memory (RAM) 1025), to the processor 1010. The computing system 1000 may include a cache 1012 of high-speed memory that is directly connected to, adjacent to, or integrated as part of the processor 1010.

[0120] Processor 1010 may include any general-purpose processor and hardware services or software services, such as services 1032, 1034, and 1036 stored in a storage device 1030, which are configured to control the processor 1010 as well as a dedicated processor, where software instructions are incorporated into the actual processor design. Processor 1010 may be substantially a self-contained computing system that includes multiple cores or processors, buses, memory controllers, caches, etc. A multi-core processor may be symmetric or asymmetric.

[0121] To enable user interaction, computing system 1000 includes an input device 1045, which can represent any number of input mechanisms, such as a microphone for voice, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphical input, a keyboard, a mouse, motion input, etc. Computing system 1000 may also include an output device 1035, which can be one or more of a plurality of output mechanisms. In some cases, a multimodal system can enable a user to provide multiple types of input / output to communicate with computing system 1000.

[0122] Computing system 1000 may include a communication interface 1040, which can generally govern and manage user input and system output. The communication interface can perform or facilitate the reception and / or transmission of wired or wireless communication using wired and / or wireless transceivers, including using audio jack / plug, microphone jack / plug, Universal Serial Bus (USB) port / plug, Apple TM Lightning TM port / plug, Ethernet port / plug, fiber optic port / plug, proprietary wired port / plug, 3G, 4G, 5G, and / or other cellular data network wireless signaling, Bluetooth TM wireless signaling, Bluetooth TM Low Energy (BLE) wireless signaling, iBeacon TM wireless signaling, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) wireless signaling, Near Field Communication (NFC) wireless signaling, Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) wireless signaling, 802.11 Wi-Fi wireless signaling, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) signaling, Visible Light Communication (VLC), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Infrared (IR) communication wireless signaling, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) signaling, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) signaling, ad hoc network signaling, radio wave signaling, microwave signaling, infrared signaling, visible light signaling, ultraviolet light signaling, wireless signaling along the electromagnetic spectrum, or some combination thereof.

[0123] The communication interface 1040 may also include one or more distance sensors (e.g., LIDAR sensors, laser rangefinders, RF radars, ultrasonic sensors, and infrared (IR) sensors) configured to collect data and provide measurements to the processor 1010, whereby the processor 1010 may be configured to perform the determinations and calculations required to obtain the various measurements of the one or more distance sensors. In some examples, the measurements may include time-of-flight, wavelength, azimuth, elevation, range, linear velocity, and / or angular velocity or any combination thereof. The communication interface 1040 may also include one or more global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers or transceivers for determining the location of the computing system 1000 based on one or more signals received from one or more satellites associated with one or more GNSS systems. GNSS systems include, but are not limited to, the U.S.-based GPS, the Russian-based Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), the Chinese-based BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), and the European-based Galileo GNSS. There is no limitation on operating on any particular hardware arrangement, and thus the basic features here may be easily replaced by improved hardware or firmware arrangements when they are developed.

[0124] The storage device 1030 can be a non-volatile and / or non-transitory and / or computer-readable memory device and can be a hard disk or other types of computer-readable media that can store data accessible by a computer, such as a tape cassette, a flash memory card, a solid-state memory device, a digital versatile disc, a cassette tape, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a magnetic stripe / magnetic stripe card, any other magnetic storage media, flash memory, memristor memory, any other solid-state memory, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) optical disc, a rewritable compact disc (CD) optical disc, a digital video disc (DVD) optical disc, a Blu-ray disc (BDD) optical disc, a holographic optical disc, another optical media, a secure digital (SD) card, a micro secure digital (microSD) card, a Memory Stick® card, a smart card chip, an EMV chip, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a mini / micro / nano / pico SIM card, another integrated circuit (IC) chip / card, a random access memory (RAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a flash EPROM (FLASHEPROM), a cache memory (e.g., a level 1 (L1) cache, a level 2 (L2) cache, a level 3 (L3) cache, a level 4 (L4) cache, a level 5 (L5) cache, or other (L#) cache), a resistive random access memory (RRAM / ReRAM), a phase change memory (PCM), a spin transfer torque RAM (STT-RAM), another memory chip or cartridge, and / or a combination thereof.

[0125] The storage device 1030 may include software services, servers, services, etc., which, when the code defining such software is executed by the processor 1010, cause the system to perform functions. In some aspects, the hardware services that perform a particular function may include software components stored in a computer-readable medium that are associated with the necessary hardware components (e.g., processor 1010, connection 1005, output device 1035, etc.) to perform that function. The term "computer-readable medium" includes, but is not limited to, portable or non-portable storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other media capable of storing, containing, or carrying instructions and / or data. The computer-readable medium may include a non-transitory medium in which data can be stored and that does not include carrier waves and / or transient electronic signals propagated wirelessly or via a wired connection. Examples of non-transitory media may include (but are not limited to) magnetic disks or tapes, optical storage media (such as compact discs (CDs) or digital video discs (DVDs)), flash memory, memory, or memory devices. The computer-readable medium may have code and / or machine-executable instructions stored thereon, and the code and / or machine-executable instructions may represent a process, function, subroutine, program, routine, subroutine, module, software package, class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. Code segments may be coupled to another code segment or hardware circuit by passing and / or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or sent via any suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.

[0126] Specific details are provided in the above description to provide a thorough understanding of the aspects and examples provided herein, but those skilled in the art will recognize that this application is not limited thereto. Thus, while the illustrative aspects of this application have been described in detail herein, it should be understood that the inventive concept may be embodied and employed in other ways differently, and the appended claims are intended to be constructed to include such variations, except as limited by the prior art. The various features and aspects of the above application may be used singly or in combination. Additionally, the aspects may be utilized in any number of environments and applications outside of the environments and applications described herein without departing from the broader scope of this specification. Therefore, the specification and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. For purposes of illustration, the methods are described in a particular order. It should be understood that in alternative aspects, the methods may be performed in an order different from that described.

[0127] For clarity, in some instances, the present technology may be presented as including separate functional blocks that include devices, device components, steps, or routines in a method embodied as software or a combination of hardware and software. In addition to those components shown and / or described herein, additional components may be used. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown in block diagram form as components so as not to obscure these aspects with unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring these aspects.

[0128] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0129] Aspects may be described above as processes or methods depicted as flowcharts, flow diagrams, data flow diagrams, structure diagrams, or block diagrams. Although a flowchart may describe operations as a sequential process, many operations may be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process terminates when its operations are completed, but may have additional steps not included in the figure. A process may correspond to a method, function, procedure, subroutine, subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination may correspond to the function returning to the calling function or the main function.

[0130] The processes and methods according to the above examples may be implemented using computer-executable instructions stored in or otherwise accessible from a computer-readable medium. Such instructions may include, for example, instructions and data that cause or otherwise configure a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or a processing device to perform a particular function or a group of functions. Portions of the computer resources used may be accessed over a network. The computer-executable instructions may be, for example, binary files, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, firmware, source code. Examples of computer-readable media that may be used to store instructions, information used, and / or information created during the methods according to the described examples include magnetic or optical disks, flash memory, USB devices equipped with non-volatile memory, networked storage devices, and the like.

[0131] In some aspects, a computer-readable storage device, medium, and memory can include a cable or wireless signal that includes a bit stream, etc. However, when mentioned, non-transitory computer-readable storage media expressly exclude media such as energy, carrier signals, electromagnetic waves, and signals themselves.

[0132] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of a variety of different technologies and techniques can be used to represent information and signals. For example, in some cases, depending in part on the particular application, in part on the desired design, in part on the corresponding technology, etc., data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout the above description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0133] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented or executed using hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, a hardware description language, or any combination thereof, and can be in any of a variety of size form factors. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the program code or code segments (e.g., a computer program product) for performing the necessary tasks can be stored in a computer-readable or machine-readable medium. The processor can perform the necessary tasks. Examples of size form factors include laptop computers, smart phones, mobile phones, tablet devices, or other small-size form factor personal computers, personal digital assistants, rack-mounted devices, stand-alone devices, etc. The functionality described herein can also be embodied in peripheral devices or add-on cards. As another example, such functionality can also be implemented on a circuit board between different chips or different processes executed in a single device.

[0134] Instructions, the media for carrying such instructions, the computing resources for executing them, and other structures for supporting such computing resources are example components for providing the functionality described in this disclosure.

[0135] The techniques described herein may also be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Such techniques may be implemented in any of a variety of devices, such as a general purpose computer, a wireless communication device handset, or an integrated circuit device, which have a variety of uses including applications incorporated in wireless communication device handsets and other devices. Any features described as modules or components may be implemented together in an integrated logic device or separately as discrete but interoperable logic devices. If implemented in software, the techniques may be at least partially realized by a computer-readable data storage medium comprising program code including instructions that, when executed, perform one or more of the methods, algorithms, and / or operations described above. The computer-readable data storage medium may form part of a computer program product, which may include packaging material. The computer-readable medium may include a memory or data storage medium, such as random access memory (RAM) (such as synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM)), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic or optical data storage media, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the techniques may be at least partially realized by a computer-readable communication medium that carries or transmits program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that is accessible, readable, and / or executable by a computer, such as a propagated signal or wave.

[0136] The program code may be executed by a processor, which may include one or more processors, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general purpose microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry. This processor may be configured to perform any of the techniques described in this disclosure. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor; but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Thus, as used herein, the term “processor” may refer to any of the foregoing structures, any combination of the foregoing structures, or any other structure or device suitable for implementation of the techniques described herein.

[0137] One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, without departing from the scope of this specification, the less than (“<”) and greater than (“>”) symbols or terms used herein may be replaced, respectively, with the less than or equal to (“≤”) and greater than or equal to (“≥”) symbols.

[0138] In cases where a component is described as “configured to” perform certain operations, such configuration can be implemented, for example, by designing an electronic circuit or other hardware to perform those operations, by programming a programmable electronic circuit (e.g., a microprocessor or other suitable electronic circuit) to perform those operations, or any combination thereof.

[0139] The phrase “coupled to” or “communicatively coupled to” refers to any component that is physically connected directly or indirectly to another component, and / or any component that communicates directly or indirectly with another component (e.g., connected to other components via a wired or wireless connection and / or other suitable communication interfaces).

[0140] Claim language or other language that recites “at least one” in a set and / or “one or more” in a set indicates that one member of the set or multiple members of the set (in any combination) satisfy the claim. For example, claim language that recites “at least one of A and B” or “at least one of A or B” means A, B, or A and B. In another example, claim language that recites “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” means A, B, C, or A and B, or A and C, or B and C, or A and B and C. The language “at least one” in a set and / or “one or more” in a set does not limit the set to the items listed in the set. For example, claim language that recites “at least one of A and B” or “at least one of A or B” can mean A, B, or A and B, and can additionally include items not listed in the set of A and B.

[0141] Exemplary aspects of the present disclosure include:

[0142] Aspect 1. A network device for wireless communication, the network device comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor, coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: output a periodic broadcast on a synchronization channel for transmission to a plurality of wireless communication devices; and receive, in one or more reserved response time slots on the synchronization channel, one or more messages initiated by one or more of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

[0143] Aspect 2. The network device according to Aspect 1, wherein the network device is an access point.

[0144] Aspect 3. The network device according to any one of Aspects 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of wireless communication devices are peripheral devices.

[0145] Aspect 4. The network device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the synchronization channel is between the network device and the plurality of wireless communication devices.

[0146] Aspect 5. The network device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the one or more reserved response time slots are reserved for transmission of messages initiated by the one or more wireless communication devices by the one or more wireless communication devices.

[0147] Aspect 6. The network device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein one or more reserved response time slots are selected from a plurality of response time slots for responding to a periodic broadcast.

[0148] Aspect 7. The network device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein the periodic broadcast includes a synchronization message.

[0149] Aspect 8. The network device according to Aspect 7, wherein the synchronization message includes a sequence for the plurality of wireless communication devices to respond to the periodic broadcast.

[0150] Aspect 9. The network device according to Aspect 8, wherein the sequence indicates one or more unused response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast.

[0151] Aspect 10. The network device according to Aspect 9, wherein one or more reserved response time slots are selected from one or more unused response time slots for responding to a periodic broadcast.

[0152] Aspect 11. The network device according to any one of Aspects 7 to 10, wherein the synchronization message indicates whether the network device will scan the one or more reserved response time slots for one of a subframe or a duration.

[0153] Aspect 12. The network device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: output an acknowledgment message that is sure to have received a message initiated by the wireless communication device by the wireless communication device for transmission to the wireless communication device among the plurality of wireless communication devices.

[0154] Aspect 13. A wireless communication device for wireless communication, the wireless communication device comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: receive a periodic broadcast from a network device on a synchronization channel; and output a message initiated by the wireless communication device in a reserved response time slot on the synchronization channel for transmission to the network device.

[0155] Aspect 14. The wireless communication device according to Aspect 13, wherein the wireless communication device is a peripheral device.

[0156] Aspect 15. The wireless communication device according to any one of Aspects 13 or 14, wherein the network device is an access point.

[0157] Aspect 16. The wireless communication device according to any one of Aspects 13 to 15, wherein the synchronization channel is between the network device and a plurality of wireless communication devices.

[0158] Aspect 17. The wireless communication device according to any one of Aspects 13 to 16, wherein the reserved response time slot is reserved for transmitting messages initiated by one or more wireless communication devices by one or more wireless communication devices.

[0159] Aspect 18. The wireless communication device according to any one of Aspects 13 to 17, wherein the reserved response time slot is selected from a plurality of response time slots for responding to periodic broadcasts.

[0160] Aspect 19. The wireless communication device according to any one of Aspects 13 to 18, wherein the periodic broadcast includes a synchronization message.

[0161] Aspect 20. The wireless communication device according to Aspect 19, wherein the synchronization message includes a sequence for a plurality of wireless communication devices to respond to the periodic broadcast.

[0162] Aspect 21. The wireless communication device according to Aspect 20, wherein the sequence indicates one or more unused response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast.

[0163] Aspect 22. The wireless communication device according to Aspect 21, wherein the reserved response time slot is selected from the one or more unused response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast.

[0164] Aspect 23. The wireless communication device according to any one of Aspects 19 to 22, wherein the synchronization message indicates whether the network device will scan one or more reserved response time slots for one of a subframe or a duration.

[0165] Aspect 24. The wireless communication device according to any one of Aspects 13 to 23, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: receive, from the network device, an acknowledgment message confirming receipt of the message initiated by the wireless communication device by the wireless communication device.

[0166] Aspect 25. The wireless communication device according to any one of aspects 13 to 23, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: determine that an acknowledgment message confirming receipt of the message initiated by the wireless communication device has not been received from the network device; and based on the determination that the acknowledgment message has not been received from the network device, output the message initiated by the wireless communication device in an additional reserved response time slot on the synchronization channel for retransmission to the network device.

[0167] Aspect 26. A method of wireless communication performed at a network device, the method comprising: sending, by the network device, a periodic broadcast on a synchronization channel to a plurality of wireless communication devices; and receiving, by the network device, one or more messages initiated by one or more of the plurality of wireless communication devices in one or more reserved response time slots on the synchronization channel.

[0168] Aspect 27. The method according to aspect 26, wherein the network device is an access point.

[0169] Aspect 28. The method according to any one of aspects 26 or 27, wherein the plurality of wireless communication devices are peripheral devices.

[0170] Aspect 29. The method according to any one of aspects 26 to 28, wherein the synchronization channel is between the network device and the plurality of wireless communication devices.

[0171] Aspect 30. The method according to any one of aspects 26 to 29, wherein one or more reserved response time slots are reserved for transmission of one or more messages initiated by one or more wireless communication devices.

[0172] Aspect 31. The method according to any one of aspects 26 to 30, wherein the one or more reserved response time slots are selected from a plurality of response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast.

[0173] Aspect 32. The method according to any one of aspects 26 to 31, wherein the periodic broadcast includes a synchronization message.

[0174] Aspect 33. The method according to aspect 32, wherein the synchronization message includes a sequence for the plurality of wireless communication devices to respond to the periodic broadcast.

[0175] Aspect 34. The method according to aspect 33, wherein the sequence indicates one or more unused response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast.

[0176] Aspect 35. The method according to aspect 34, wherein one or more reserved response time slots are selected from one or more unused response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast.

[0177] Aspect 36. The method according to any one of aspects 32 to 35, wherein the synchronization message indicates whether the network device will scan one or more reserved response time slots for one of the subframes or durations.

[0178] Aspect 37. The method according to any one of aspects 26 to 36, further comprising: sending, to a wireless communication device among a plurality of wireless communication devices, an acknowledgment message confirming receipt of a message initiated by the wireless communication device for wireless communication.

[0179] Aspect 38. A method for wireless communication performed at a wireless communication device, the method comprising: receiving, by the wireless communication device, a periodic broadcast from a network device on a synchronization channel; and sending, by the wireless communication device, a message initiated by the wireless communication device to the network device in a reserved response time slot on the synchronization channel.

[0180] Aspect 39. The method according to aspect 38, wherein the wireless communication device is a peripheral device.

[0181] Aspect 40. The method according to any one of aspects 38 or 39, wherein the network device is an access point.

[0182] Aspect 41. The method according to any one of aspects 38 to 40, wherein the synchronization channel is between the network device and a plurality of wireless communication devices.

[0183] Aspect 42. The method according to any one of aspects 38 to 41, wherein the reserved response time slot is reserved for transmission of one or more messages initiated by the wireless communication device.

[0184] Aspect 43. The method according to any one of aspects 38 to 42, wherein the reserved response time slot is selected from a plurality of response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast.

[0185] Aspect 44. The method according to any one of aspects 38 to 43, wherein the periodic broadcast includes a synchronization message.

[0186] Aspect 45. The method according to aspect 44, wherein the synchronization message includes a sequence for a plurality of wireless communication devices to respond to the periodic broadcast.

[0187] Aspect 46. The method according to aspect 45, wherein the sequence indicates one or more unused response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast.

[0188] Aspect 47. The method according to aspect 46, wherein the reserved response time slot is selected from one or more unused response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast.

[0189] Aspect 48. The method according to any one of aspects 44 to 47, wherein the synchronization message indicates whether the network device will scan one or more reserved response time slots for one of the subframes or durations.

[0190] Aspect 49. The method according to any one of aspects 38 to 48, further comprising: receiving, from the network device, an acknowledgment message confirming receipt of the message initiated by the wireless communication device by the wireless communication device.

[0191] Aspect 50. The method according to any one of aspects 38 to 48, further comprising: determining that an acknowledgment message confirming receipt of the message initiated by the wireless communication device has not been received from the network device; and based on the determination that the acknowledgment message has not been received from the network device, retransmitting the message initiated by the wireless communication device to the network device in an additional reserved response time slot on the synchronization channel.

[0192] Aspect 51. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform any operation of any one of aspects 26 to 37.

[0193] Aspect 52. An apparatus comprising components for performing any operation of any one of aspects 26 to 37.

[0194] Aspect 53. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform any operation of any one of aspects 38 to 50.

[0195] Aspect 54. An apparatus comprising components for performing any operation of any one of aspects 38 to 50.

[0196] The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, where the reference to a singular element is not intended to mean "one and only one" but "one or more" unless specifically stated otherwise.

Claims

1. A network device for wireless communication, the network device comprising: At least one memory; And At least one processor, the at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: Output a periodic broadcast on a synchronization channel for transmission to a plurality of wireless communication devices; And In one or more reserved response time slots on the synchronization channel, receive one or more messages initiated by one or more of the plurality of wireless communication devices from one or more of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

2. The network device according to claim 1, wherein, The network device is an access point.

3. The network device according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of wireless communication devices are peripheral devices.

4. The network device according to claim 1, wherein, The synchronization channel is between the network device and the plurality of wireless communication devices.

5. The network device according to claim 1, wherein, The one or more reserved response time slots are reserved for transmission of the one or more messages initiated by the one or more wireless communication devices.

6. The network device according to claim 1, wherein, The one or more reserved response time slots are selected from a plurality of response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast.

7. The network device according to claim 1, wherein The periodic broadcast includes a synchronization message.

8. The network device according to claim 7, wherein, The synchronization message includes a sequence for the plurality of wireless communication devices to respond to the periodic broadcast.

9. The network device according to claim 8, wherein, The sequence indicates one or more unused response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast.

10. The network device according to claim 9, wherein, The one or more reserved response time slots are selected from one or more unused response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast.

11. The network device according to claim 7, wherein, The synchronization message indicates whether the network device will scan the one or more reserved response time slots for one of a subframe or a duration.

12. The network device according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to: Output an acknowledgment message indicating that a message initiated by the wireless communication device has been received with certainty for transmission to the wireless communication device among the plurality of wireless communication devices.

13. A wireless communication device for wireless communication, the wireless communication device comprising: At least one memory; And At least one processor, the at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to: Receive a periodic broadcast from a network device on a synchronization channel; And Output a message initiated by the wireless communication device in a reserved response time slot on the synchronization channel for transmission to the network device.

14. The wireless communication device according to claim 13, wherein, The wireless communication device is a peripheral device.

15. The wireless communication device according to claim 13, wherein, The network device is an access point.

16. The wireless communication device according to claim 13, wherein, The synchronization channel is between the network device and a plurality of wireless communication devices.

17. The wireless communication device according to claim 13, wherein, The reserved response time slot is reserved for transmission of one or more messages initiated by one or more wireless communication devices.

18. The wireless communication device according to claim 13, wherein, The reserved response time slot is selected from a plurality of response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast.

19. The wireless communication device according to claim 13, wherein, The periodic broadcast includes a synchronization message.

20. The wireless communication device according to claim 19, wherein, The synchronization message includes a sequence for a plurality of wireless communication devices to respond to the periodic broadcast.

21. The wireless communication device according to claim 20, wherein, The sequence indicates one or more unused response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast.

22. The wireless communication device according to claim 21, wherein, The reserved response time slot is selected from one or more unused response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast.

23. The wireless communication device according to claim 19, wherein, The synchronization message indicates whether the network device will scan one or more reserved response time slots for one of a subframe or a duration.

24. The wireless communication device according to claim 13, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to: Receive, from the network device, an acknowledgment message confirming receipt of the message initiated by the wireless communication device.

25. The wireless communication device according to claim 13, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to: Determine that an acknowledgment message confirming receipt of the message initiated by the wireless communication device has not been received from the network device; And Based on determining that the acknowledgment message has not been received from the network device, output, in an additional reserved response time slot on the synchronization channel, the message initiated by the wireless communication device for retransmission to the network device.

26. A method of wireless communication performed at a network device, the method comprising: Sending, by the network device, a periodic broadcast on a synchronization channel to a plurality of wireless communication devices; And Receiving, by the network device, one or more messages initiated by one or more of the plurality of wireless communication devices in one or more reserved response time slots on the synchronization channel.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein, The one or more reserved response time slots are reserved for transmission of the one or more messages initiated by the one or more wireless communication devices.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein, Select the one or more reserved response time slots from a plurality of response time slots for responding to the periodic broadcast.

29. A method of wireless communication performed at a wireless communication device, the method comprising: Receiving, by the wireless communication device, a periodic broadcast on a synchronization channel from a network device; And Sending, by the wireless communication device, a message initiated by the wireless communication device to the network device in a reserved response time slot on the synchronization channel.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein, The reserved response time slot is reserved for transmission of one or more messages initiated by the wireless communication device.

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