Peripheral BLE Device Connection Switching via Pre-Shared Initiator Address
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication systems face challenges in determining which devices should establish connections among multiple devices within a given range, particularly when a peripheral device is already connected to one central device but needs to switch to another unconnected central device, and do not consider scenarios where a user wants to switch connections.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus and method that allows a peripheral device to easily switch its connection to a desired unconnected central device by using a special initiator or advertiser address, which is shared in advance, enabling the control unit to establish or maintain connections based on user-operated requests and unique identifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single central selects a single high-priority peripheral from among a plurality of peripherals attempting to establish connections, then connection establishment is simplified, but the system cannot support scenarios where a peripheral needs to switch connections to a different central or where multiple centrals need to connect to a single peripheral
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the peripheral device store multiple initiator addresses (from different central devices) in advance before connection switching is needed. When a connection switch is required, the peripheral simply uses the pre-stored address of the target central device to initiate the connection, eliminating the need for complex real-time selection logic and enabling seamless connection switching between multiple centrals.
2Measurement precision
If predetermined information specifying a device to be connected is used in connection requests, then connection targeting is precise, but connection flexibility and switching capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the initiator address in connection requests changeable rather than fixed. The peripheral device can dynamically select which initiator address to use based on the desired connection target. This allows the same peripheral to precisely target different central devices by simply changing the initiator address in its connection request, achieving both precision and flexibility.
3Device complexity
If a peripheral device uses a fixed initiator address for connection requests, then connection management is simplified, but the ability to switch connections to different centrals is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the initiator address into multiple selectable options rather than using a single fixed address. The peripheral device maintains a collection of different initiator addresses corresponding to different central devices, and can segment its connection management into distinct connection scenarios, each using the appropriate initiator address from the collection.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus comprises: at least one processor or circuit configured to perform operations of following units: a communication unit configured to establish a connection with an external device for communication; and a control unit configured to control, in accordance with information pertaining to a connection request received from a second external device while a connection is established with a first external device, whether or not to cause the communication unit to establish a connection with the second external device instead of the first external device, wherein the control unit causes a connection to be established with the second external device in a case where the information pertaining to the connection request includes information shared in advance with the second external device instead of predetermined information specifying a device to be connected.