Beacon Relay Control for Wireless Network Traffic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current beacon technologies, such as BLE beacons, face limitations in relaying signals effectively across wide areas and determining optimal relay conditions, leading to inefficiencies in communication range expansion and traffic management.

Innovation Solution

A method for analyzing beacon packet data units to determine relay condition information, such as terminal identification, and deciding whether to relay the beacon packet based on this information, ensuring that the signal is only relayed to the correct destination or within specified limits, using components like the beacon manager and communication modules in electronic devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If beacon packets are relayed extensively to expand communication range, then the coverage area is improved, but unnecessary traffic and network congestion increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication rangeVSAvoidnetwork traffic
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces relay condition information as an intermediary mechanism to control beacon packet relaying. Electronic devices evaluate specific conditions (destination ID matching, relay count thresholds, geographic location) before relaying packets, acting as intelligent intermediaries that filter and manage network traffic. This prevents unrestricted relaying while maintaining extended communication range through selective packet forwarding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If relay condition information is added to beacon packets to enable selective relaying, then traffic management is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic management efficiencyVSAvoidpacket processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring relay condition information within beacon packets before transmission. Devices evaluate these pre-established conditions (destination identification, relay count limits, geographic constraints) without requiring complex real-time decision-making. This approach simplifies the processing burden while maintaining efficient traffic management through predetermined relaying rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If beacon packets are relayed without condition checking, then communication speed is maintained, but delivery accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission speedVSAvoiddelivery accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by implementing selective relaying based on evaluated conditions rather than universal relaying. Devices perform partial relaying only when specific conditions are met (destination match, relay count not exceeded, geographic constraints satisfied), maintaining communication speed for valid packets while improving delivery accuracy through condition-based filtering. This avoids the excessive action of relaying all packets regardless of destination or network state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2911416B1Method and apparatus for controlling operations of electronic device
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2911416B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2911416B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2911416B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a beacon relay method for an electronic device. A method to operate an electronic device is provided. The method includes receiving a beacon signal. The method also includes analyzing information in the received beacon signal. The method further includes determining whether to relay the beacon signal based on the analyzed information.