Low-Energy Bluetooth Discovery Using Stable Service Identifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) device discovery techniques face challenges due to frequent changes in device addresses, making it difficult to efficiently identify and connect with specific devices, leading to unnecessary power consumption and inefficient communication.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and apparatus that utilize identifiers associated with device groups or services to facilitate proximity-based device discovery, allowing for selective connection procedures based on matching identifiers, thereby reducing the need to connect with all devices in the vicinity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices use frequent address changes for security and privacy, then device security and privacy are improved, but device discovery efficiency and power consumption are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments device identification into two parts: a static service identifier that remains constant for a given service, and a dynamic device-specific identifier that may change. This allows devices to change addresses frequently for security while maintaining consistent service identification through the static service identifier, resolving the contradiction between security and discovery efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a service identifier as an intermediary element that mediates between the static service information and dynamic device addresses. The service identifier acts as a stable reference point that doesn't change with device address updates, enabling efficient discovery of devices providing specific services without being affected by frequent address changes.
2Reliability
If devices change addresses frequently, then device privacy is improved, but power consumption during device discovery is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the identification into service identifier (static) and device identifier (dynamic), the system can maintain privacy through frequent address changes while reducing power consumption by using the stable service identifier for initial filtering and identification, avoiding the need to investigate all devices thoroughly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables partial action by allowing devices to advertise only their service identifiers initially, which is a partial form of identification. This partial advertising approach reduces the amount of data transmitted and processed during discovery, thereby reducing power consumption while still providing sufficient information for selective connection.
3Reliability
If all devices in vicinity are investigated for connection, then connection reliability is improved, but time consumption and power usage are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having devices advertise their service identifiers in advance before connection is needed. This preliminary advertising of service information allows the discovering device to pre-filter and identify relevant devices without needing to investigate all devices in detail, reducing discovery time while maintaining connection reliability through subsequent proper connection procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for facilitating efficient device discovery. In regards to a method implemented by a master device, a first identifier is received from a remote source. The method also receives one or more wireless device discovery packets comprising a second identifier from a proximate device, wherein the wireless device discovery packet comprises information compliant with a short-range communication technology to advertise presence of the proximate device or information compliant with a short-range communication technology to scan for proximate devices according to proximity-based communication technology. The method then, causes, in an instance in which at least the portion of the first identifier matches at least the portion of the second identifier, a wireless short-range communication connection procedure to be initiated between the apparatus and the proximate device, wherein the wireless short-range communication connection procedure complies with the proximity-based communication technology.