Access Point WUR Information Collection for Seamless Roaming

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the IEEE 802.11ba standard, there is no method for a terminal to collect information necessary to roam from a first access point to a second access point when the wake-up cannot be executed in the first access point, leading to connectivity issues.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus and method that allows a terminal to collect and receive information about another access point's Wake-Up Radio (WUR) capabilities, enabling it to determine a suitable roaming destination and transition from a power saving state to a normal state for seamless roaming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the terminal remains in power saving state using WUR, then power consumption is reduced, but the terminal cannot obtain roaming information to connect to other access points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidroaming information

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The access point pre-collects and stores WUR information from neighboring access points before the terminal needs to roam. This preliminary action ensures that when the terminal wakes up and needs roaming information, the data is already available at the connected access point, eliminating the need for the terminal to actively search while in power-saving mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connected access point acts as an intermediary that holds and transmits roaming information to the terminal. Instead of the terminal directly querying multiple access points (which would require waking up the PCR), the information is mediated through the currently connected access point, allowing the terminal to remain in power-saving state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal actively collects roaming information from other access points, then roaming capability is improved, but power saving features are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroaming capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Roaming information is collected in advance by the access point during periods when the terminal is not needing it. The terminal receives this pre-collected information through beacon frames or other communication mechanisms while remaining in power-saving mode, thus gaining roaming capability without active energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the access point collects and transmits WUR information of other access points, then terminal roaming is enabled, but communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroaming functionalityVSAvoidcommunication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The WUR information of neighboring access points is merged into the existing beacon frame structure or management frames that are already being transmitted by the access point. This combining approach allows roaming information to be delivered without requiring separate dedicated communication channels or additional wake-up transmissions, thus minimizing overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11470554B2Communication apparatus and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 CANON KK

AI summary

A communication apparatus that operates as an access point in compliance with IEEE 802.11ba and communicates with a WUR (Wake-Up Radio) function for transiting a terminal from a power saving state to a normal state, comprises a collection unit that collects, from another access point, information related to a WUR of the other access point; and a notification unit that notifies the terminal of the information related to the WUR of the other access point collected by the collection unit.