Bluetooth Piconet Restructuring for Remote Device Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices are limited in their ability to operate in multiple piconets, preventing them from establishing direct connections between remote devices due to limited coverage areas, which hinders efficient data packet transfer between devices that cannot belong to the same piconet.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that dynamically and sequentially restructure Bluetooth piconets by creating and terminating connections between devices, allowing data packets to be routed between remote devices by forming new piconets and terminating existing ones, enabling data transfer between devices that are initially part of different piconets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If BLE devices operate in multiple piconets simultaneously, then data transfer between remote devices is enabled, but device complexity and connection management become unmanageable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic piconet restructuring where devices sequentially change their piconet memberships over time. A device can be a member of multiple piconets at different time intervals, with the network controller coordinating the sequential reorganization. This dynamic approach enables remote device communication while avoiding the complexity of simultaneous multi-piconet operation, as devices only maintain one active piconet connection at any given moment.
2Productivity
If direct connections are established between remote devices, then data transfer efficiency improves, but connection stability deteriorates due to limited coverage areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate devices that act as bridges between remote devices with limited direct coverage. Instead of attempting direct long-range connections that would be unstable, data packets are routed through one or more intermediate Bluetooth devices that are within range of both the source and destination. This intermediary approach maintains connection stability by using only short-range reliable links while achieving end-to-end data transfer between remote devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data transfer path into multiple hops through intermediate devices. Rather than establishing a single direct connection between remote devices, the communication route is divided into several sequential connections through intermediary nodes. Each segment uses stable short-range connections, and the overall data transfer is achieved by concatenating these segmented paths, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling remote communication.
3Adaptability or versatility
If piconet structures are reorganized to enable remote device communication, then data transfer capability improves, but network reconfiguration time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary routing calculations where the network controller pre-determines optimal data paths through intermediate devices before actual data transfer begins. The controller analyzes the current piconet topology and pre-computes the sequence of piconet reorganizations needed to establish communication between source and destination devices. This preliminary planning minimizes reconfiguration time by avoiding ad-hoc decisions during data transfer and enabling batch reorganization operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and computer program for operating a Bluetooth network is presented. The method comprises providing a Bluetooth system comprising a plurality of Bluetooth devices forming Bluetooth piconets disconnected from each other; and providing a route for a data packet between two remote Bluetooth devices through the Bluetooth system by sequentially changing structures of the Bluetooth piconets, wherein at least some of the plurality of Bluetooth devices sequentially create and terminate connections with different Bluetooth devices as a result of the sequential change of the structures of the Bluetooth piconets.