Bluetooth Trigger for NAN Service Discovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, particularly Wi-Fi networks, face challenges in the setup and coordination of direct communication between mobile stations without an intermediate access point, limiting the efficiency of service discovery and data transmission.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a mechanism where peer wireless stations use a lower powered interface, such as Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy, to trigger service discovery over a higher powered interface, like Wi-Fi or NAN, by exchanging messages with Bloom filters to identify and connect to available services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If peer wireless stations use direct communication without an intermediate access point, then device autonomy and network flexibility are improved, but setup and coordination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice autonomyVSAvoidsetup and coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a standardized discovery and coordination protocol that acts as an intermediary mechanism between peer devices. This protocol provides pre-defined procedures for service discovery, capability exchange, and connection establishment, reducing the coordination complexity that would otherwise arise from direct peer-to-peer interactions without centralized management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic parameter negotiation between peer devices, where devices exchange and adjust communication parameters (such as data rates, modulation schemes, and resource allocation) based on their capabilities and channel conditions. This automated parameter adaptation reduces setup complexity while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If service discovery is performed over higher powered interface, then service discovery capability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice discovery capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the service discovery process into two stages: an initial screening stage using low-power Bluetooth interfaces to identify potential services, and a detailed discovery stage using higher-power Wi-Fi interfaces only for confirmed matches. This segmentation reduces overall energy consumption by limiting high-power interface usage to necessary cases only.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary service filtering using Bluetooth Low Energy advertisements before activating the higher-power Wi-Fi interface. Devices broadcast service identifiers and basic capabilities via BLE, allowing potential peers to perform initial matching without consuming significant energy, thereby avoiding premature activation of high-power interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10999780B2Bluetooth trigger for NAN

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 APPLE INC

AI summary

In some embodiments, one or more wireless stations operate to configure direct communication with neighboring mobile stations, e.g., direct communication between the wireless stations without utilizing an intermediate access point. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a mechanism for a device to trigger, via a first interface, service discovery over a second interface. In some embodiments, the service discovery can involve the exchange of one or more Bloom filters.