Bluetooth Mesh Relay Node Configuration for Collision Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Bluetooth mesh networks face challenges in efficiently managing relay functions in Bluetooth LE mesh networks, leading to data collisions and increased network traffic due to unnecessary message retransmissions, especially when all nodes perform relay functions.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for configuring nodes to enable or disable relay functions dynamically based on specific events or commands, reducing the number of relay nodes by transmitting activation or deactivation messages within a specific time frame, and selecting nodes capable of performing relay functions to minimize collisions and optimize network performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all nodes perform relay functions in Bluetooth mesh network, then message coverage is improved, but data collisions and network traffic increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage coverageVSAvoiddata collisions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by enabling relay function selectively at specific nodes rather than uniformly across all nodes. The network dynamically configures which nodes perform relay functions based on local conditions such as message traffic patterns and network topology, thereby maintaining message coverage while reducing unnecessary retransmissions and data collisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the relay function configurable and changeable at runtime. Nodes can dynamically enable or disable their relay functionality based on network conditions, message types, and traffic patterns. This dynamic configuration allows the network to optimize relay node selection continuously, reducing data collisions while maintaining adequate message coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If relay function is enabled at all nodes, then message transmission reliability is improved, but network traffic increases due to unnecessary retransmissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage transmission reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork traffic

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by enabling relay function selectively at specific nodes rather than uniformly across all nodes. The network dynamically configures which nodes perform relay functions based on local conditions such as message traffic patterns and network topology, thereby maintaining message coverage while reducing unnecessary retransmissions and data collisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by enabling relay function at only the necessary subset of nodes rather than all nodes. The system determines the minimum number of relay nodes required to maintain message transmission reliability and configures only those nodes to perform relay functions, thereby reducing network traffic from unnecessary retransmissions while maintaining adequate reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Area of stationary object

If relay nodes are increased to improve message delivery, then network coverage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidrelay node configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling automatic relay node configuration through message exchange between devices. Nodes autonomously determine whether to perform relay functions based on received configuration messages and local network conditions, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing device complexity while maintaining adequate network coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the relay function configurable and changeable at runtime. Nodes can dynamically enable or disable their relay functionality based on network conditions, message types, and traffic patterns. This dynamic configuration allows the network to optimize relay node selection continuously, reducing data collisions while maintaining adequate message coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10075831B2Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data in mesh network using Bluetooth

Publication Date: 2018.09.11 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein are a method for performing, by a first node, a relay function in a Bluetooth mesh network and an apparatus performing the method. The method includes transmitting a first message for activating or deactivating the relay function of the first node to a plurality of neighboring nodes when a specific event is generated and activating or deactivating the relay function depending on whether a first indication message to request the activation of the relay function is received or not in a response to the first message within a first specific time from at least one of the plurality of neighboring nodes. The specific event is one of receiving a command indicating the setting of the relay function, a specific cycle, or receiving a second message for activating or deactivating the relay function from the neighboring nodes.