Wireless Access Point Sleep-Wake Control for Beacon Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network devices face challenges in managing resource consumption, particularly power, in scenarios where resources are scarce or fluctuating, necessitating more sophisticated methods to optimize resource usage.

Innovation Solution

Network devices can selectively reduce and restore functionality by powering down or reducing the functionality of components like receivers and transmitters, using low-power transceivers for monitoring, and communicating time windows for reduced functionality to client devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If network devices continuously consume resources (data, memory, processor, power), then the device remains always on and ready for communication, but power consumption increases and resources are wasted when no devices are present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The access point implements periodic action by alternating between reduced functionality mode (when no client devices are detected) and full functionality mode (when client devices are detected). The system periodically monitors for client devices and switches between these states, thereby conserving power when unnecessary while maintaining availability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The access point dynamically adjusts its operational state based on real-time detection of client devices. The system transitions between different functionality levels (reduced vs. full) according to the presence or absence of client devices, making the power consumption profile adaptive rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If the access point reduces functionality to conserve power, then power consumption decreases, but communication reliability may be affected when client devices are present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The access point employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring for client devices and using this information to adjust its functionality. When client devices are detected, the system receives feedback and restores full functionality to ensure communication reliability. This closed-loop control ensures that power savings do not compromise communication availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If the access point stops transmitting beacons to save power, then power consumption decreases, but client devices cannot detect or connect to the access point

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddevice discoverability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The access point implements periodic beacon transmission only when necessary. When no client devices are detected, the system stops periodic beacon transmissions to conserve power. When client devices are detected, the system resumes beacon transmissions to maintain network visibility and ease of connection for client devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS20250358598A1Methods and systems for managing power consumption of the network devices

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 ADEIA MEDIA HOLDINGS INC

AI summary

Methods and systems for managing power consumption of network devices are disclosed. An example method can comprise detecting a triggering condition and reducing functionality of a network device based on detecting the triggering condition. The method can comprise detecting, at the network device, a user device, restoring functionality of the network device in response to detecting the user device, and transmitting information to the user device after restoring functionality of the network device.