Bluetooth Hub Relay Extends Range Without Power Increase
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bluetooth devices face challenges in managing multiple devices due to differing application interfaces and have limited communication range, which is further restricted by the need to maintain low power and cost designs, making it difficult to extend range without increasing transmission power or production costs.
Innovation Solution
A Bluetooth hub device with multiple transceivers and a database to manage service characteristics of connected devices, allowing for extended communication range and unified control of multiple Bluetooth devices without increasing power consumption or production costs, by acting as a relay and router between client devices and Bluetooth devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If transmission power is increased to extend communication range, then communication range is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay device as an intermediary node between Bluetooth devices and client devices. The relay receives data from Bluetooth devices via Bluetooth transceiver and forwards it to client devices via Wi-Fi or other communication interfaces, thereby extending communication range without requiring Bluetooth devices to increase their transmission power.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication path is segmented into multiple hops: Bluetooth device → relay device → client device. This segmentation allows the original Bluetooth low-power link to be combined with other communication technologies, achieving extended range while maintaining low power consumption at the Bluetooth device end.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple Bluetooth devices are managed directly by client device, then device control capability is improved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple Bluetooth device connections through a central relay device. The relay maintains connections with multiple Bluetooth devices and provides a unified interface to the client device, allowing users to control multiple devices through a single application rather than managing each device separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay device serves multiple functions: it acts as a Bluetooth master to manage multiple Bluetooth slaves, provides Wi-Fi connectivity to client devices, stores service characteristic databases, and handles data routing. This multi-functionality consolidates complexity into the relay while simplifying the client device interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for supporting wireless communication is provided. The device may comprise a first Bluetooth chip for communicating with a Bluetooth device and a second Bluetooth chip for communicating with a client device. The second Bluetooth chip may be configured to receive advertising data of the Bluetooth device from the first Bluetooth chip and broadcast advertising data including the received advertising data of the Bluetooth device. The first Bluetooth chip and the second Bluetooth chip may be configured to establish communication links between the client device and the second Bluetooth chip, between the second Bluetooth chip and the first Bluetooth chip, and between the first Bluetooth chip and the Bluetooth device.