Bluetooth Link Merging for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Bluetooth network environments, maintaining separate links with multiple devices increases power consumption and resource usage, particularly when connecting devices like earphones, leading to complexity and delayed data transmission.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device creates a first link with a primary device and a second link with a secondary device, transmitting information associated with the first link through the second link, and sends ACK or NACK responses accordingly to optimize power usage and reduce unnecessary links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate links are created with each external device, then data transmission reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple Bluetooth links into a single link by having the first external device relay data packets to the second external device. The user device only maintains one active Bluetooth link with the first external device, while the first external device establishes a second link with the second external device. This combining approach maintains data transmission reliability through the relay mechanism while significantly reducing power consumption by eliminating the need to maintain multiple simultaneous links.
Solution Approach 2:
The first external device serves as an intermediary or mediator between the user device and the second external device. It receives data packets from the user device via the first link, forwards them to the second external device via the second link, and relays response messages back to the user device. This intermediary role allows reliable multi-device communication while keeping the user device's power consumption low by limiting it to a single active link.
2Reliability
If separate links are created with each external device, then data transmission completeness is improved, but time delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the communication path into a single primary link between the user device and the first external device, the patent eliminates the time delay associated with establishing and maintaining multiple simultaneous links. Data packets are transmitted directly over the first link without the overhead of managing multiple connections, reducing transmission time while maintaining completeness through the relay mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The first external device performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the second link with the second external device before data transmission begins. This allows the relay mechanism to be ready and waiting, so when data packets arrive over the first link, they can be immediately forwarded over the second link without additional setup delays, thereby reducing overall transmission time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple links are maintained, then device connectivity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple connectivity functions into a single link architecture. The user device only needs to manage one Bluetooth link with the first external device, while the first external device handles the second link with the second external device. This merging approach maintains adaptability and versatility by enabling communication with multiple devices while significantly reducing system complexity by eliminating the need for the user device to manage multiple simultaneous links.
Solution Approach 2:
The first external device acts as an intermediary that absorbs the complexity of managing multiple connections. It handles the establishment, maintenance, and management of the second link with the second external device, shielding the user device from this complexity. The user device simply communicates with the first external device through the single first link, thereby maintaining device connectivity while reducing system complexity.
4Productivity
If multiple links are created, then data transmission capability is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data transmission paths into a single active link at the user device. Data packets are transmitted over the first link to the first external device, which then relays them to the second external device via the second link. This combining approach maintains full data transmission capability by preserving the relay path while reducing resource consumption by eliminating the need for the user device to maintain multiple simultaneous transmission channels.
Data Source
AI summary
Method comprising: establishing a first link with a first external electronic device, based on the Bluetooth network; receiving information associated with a second link created between the first external electronic device and a second external electronic device, from the first external electronic device; attempting to receive a first data packet transmitted from the second external electronic device by monitoring the second link based at least partially on the information associated with the second link; identifying whether a response message is received from the first external electronic device; transmitting, to the second external electronic device, a response message indicating “ACK” for the first data packet, when the first data packet is normally received, and when the response message is received from the first external electronic device; and withholding a response message for reception of the first data packet, when the first data packet is not normally received.