Beacon Frame Storage Capability Advertising

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users connecting to WiFi networks cannot a priori know the storage capabilities of available networks, requiring them to disconnect and reconnect to discover storage resources, which is cumbersome, especially in areas with multiple networks.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating data about storage capabilities into beacon frames transmitted by WiFi access points, allowing terminals to identify and select networks with matching storage resources without prior connection, by including a wireless local area network identifier and storage capability data within the beacon frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If users connect to WiFi networks to discover storage capabilities, then storage information can be obtained, but the process requires disconnecting and reconnecting to multiple networks which is time-consuming and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capability informationVSAvoidtime to discover storage resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by including storage capability information in beacon frames that are transmitted periodically by access points before any connection is established. This allows terminals to discover storage resources in advance by simply scanning for beacon frames, eliminating the need to connect and disconnect from multiple networks to gather storage information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If storage capability data is included in beacon frames, then terminals can identify storage resources without prior connection, but the beacon frame structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of network selectionVSAvoidbeacon frame structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the nested doll principle by embedding storage capability information elements within the existing beacon frame structure. The storage information is nested as information elements inside the beacon frame, which itself is part of the WiFi protocol structure. This allows additional functionality to be added without fundamentally changing the beacon frame architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple WiFi networks are available at a given place, then users have more network choices, but it becomes more difficult to identify which network has the desired storage capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork selection flexibilityVSAvoidstorage capability detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the color changes principle by using information elements with specific identifiers and structures within beacon frames to clearly mark and differentiate storage capability information. This structured approach with identifiable markers makes it easy for terminals to quickly scan and compare storage capabilities across multiple networks without confusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP2897418B1Advertising storage capabilities accessible via a wireless local area network
Publication Date: 2016.06.01 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP2897418B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2897418B1 patent drawingFigure 2~6

AI summary

A method for advertising capabilities of at least one storage (ST1) accessible via a wireless local area network (WLAM1) comprising at least one wireless access point (AP1), this wireless access point periodically transmitting beacon frames containing a wireless local area network identifier designating this network, comprises the step of inserting, in each beacon frame transmitted by a wireless access point (AP1), data describing the capabilities of at least one storage (ST1) accessible via the wireless local area network (WLAN1) designated by this wireless local area network identifier.