BLE Advertising Device Scan Request Feedback Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication, there is a lack of indication to the advertising device that the master device has received its advertisement packet, leading to inefficiencies in data transfer and power consumption, as the device continues to advertise intermittently without knowing if its data has been received.

Innovation Solution

The method involves reporting scan requests from the link layer to the application layer, allowing the application to determine actions based on receipt confirmation, such as modifying scan response packets or changing operation modes, thereby enabling the advertising device to confirm data receipt and adjust its operation accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the advertising device continuously transmits advertisement packets to ensure data delivery, then the reliability of data transmission is improved, but the power consumption increases and over-the-air traffic is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the scanning device sends a scan request packet after receiving the advertisement packet, and the advertising device sends a scan response packet in return. This feedback loop allows the advertising device to confirm whether its advertisement was successfully received and processed, enabling it to adjust its transmission behavior accordingly and avoid continuous unnecessary transmissions that would waste energy and air traffic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the advertising device's transmission behavior dynamic by allowing it to adjust its operation based on feedback from scan requests. Instead of continuously transmitting advertisement packets regardless of reception status, the device can modify its transmission pattern based on whether scan requests are received, thereby optimizing both power consumption and transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the advertising device continuously transmits advertisement packets to ensure data delivery, then the reliability of data transmission is improved, but the over-the-air traffic increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidover-the-air traffic
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback mechanism through scan request and scan response packets enables the advertising device to confirm successful data delivery. This allows the device to stop transmitting advertisement packets after confirmation, significantly reducing unnecessary over-the-air traffic while maintaining reliable data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The advertising device dynamically adjusts its transmission behavior based on feedback from scan requests. By modifying its transmission pattern from continuous to conditional based on reception confirmation, the device reduces the quantity of over-the-air traffic while ensuring reliable data delivery when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If the advertising device stops transmitting advertisement packets to save power, then the power consumption is reduced, but the ability to communicate with scanning devices is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The advertising device dynamically adjusts its transmission state based on feedback from scan requests. When scan requests are received, the device activates to send scan response packets and confirm communication. When no scan requests are received after a certain period, the device stops transmitting to save power. This dynamic behavior maintains communication capability when needed while significantly reducing power consumption during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2800341B1A method and technical equipment for short range data transmission
Publication Date: 2017.04.19 SILICON LAB FINLAND
  • EP2800341B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2800341B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2800341B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a technical equipment for short range data transmission, e.g. Bluetooth low energy. The method comprises receiving, as a response to a transmitted advertisement packet, a scan request from a scanning device; reporting the scan request from a link layer to an application layer; determining a following action according to the scan request and performing the determined action.