Network Device Management for Proximity Beacon Operational Characteristics

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of low-power advertising devices, or proximity beacons, into wireless networks poses challenges in effective management, particularly in configuring and maintaining their operational characteristics, power management, placement planning, and validation within existing wireless network infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing a network device to manage proximity beacons by configuring operational characteristics, monitoring and reconfiguring them as needed, managing power levels, planning and maintaining their placement, and validating their functionality through a network device-coupled proximity beacon management system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If proximity beacons are integrated into wireless networks, then wireless network coverage and functionality are expanded, but management complexity and difficulty of controlling operational characteristics increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless network coverageVSAvoidmanagement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A network device acts as an intermediary between the proximity beacon and the network administrator. The network device receives configuration parameters from the administrator and transmits them to the proximity beacon, simplifying the management interface while maintaining full control over beacon operations including operational characteristics, power levels, and placement validation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The network device is designed to perform multiple functions: configuring operational characteristics of proximity beacons, managing their power consumption, validating their placement locations, and monitoring their performance. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate management systems into a single unified platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Use of energy by moving object

If proximity beacons operate autonomously with low power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but ability to monitor and reconfigure them remotely deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidremote management capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The proximity beacon operates in periodic cycles, alternating between low-power advertising mode and higher-power communication mode. During most of the time, it transmits advertising packets at low power intervals. When a network device needs to communicate configuration updates or retrieve status information, the beacon temporarily increases power consumption to establish bidirectional communication, then returns to low-power mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The proximity beacon includes feedback mechanisms that allow it to report its operational status, power consumption levels, and placement validation results back to the network device. This feedback enables the network device to make informed decisions about reconfiguration needs while the beacon maintains its low-power operation between feedback cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If operational characteristics of proximity beacons are strictly controlled, then network reliability is improved, but flexibility in adapting to different environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork reliabilityVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic configuration where operational characteristics of proximity beacons can be adjusted based on environmental conditions and network requirements. The network device can modify parameters such as transmit power, advertising intervals, and operational modes in response to changing conditions, allowing the beacons to adapt to different environments while maintaining overall network reliability through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10536803B2Proximity beacon management using a network device

Publication Date: 2020.01.14 EXTREME NETWORKS INC

AI summary

Management of a proximity beacon transmitter using a network device. Operational characteristics are generated for a proximity beacon transmitter coupled to a network device. The proximity beacon is configured through the network device. It is determined if the proximity beacon transmitter is operating according to the operational characteristics generated for the proximity beacon transmitter. The proximity beacon transmitter is reconfigured to operate according to the operational characteristics if it is determined that the proximity beacon transmitter is operating in nonconformity with the operational characteristics.