BTLE-Guided Wi-Fi Connection for Battery Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices experience rapid battery drain due to persistent Wi-Fi scanning, especially when connected to network receivers via energy-hungry Wi-Fi signals, leading to unnecessary power consumption and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) signals to detect network receivers and automatically establish Wi-Fi connections without continuous Wi-Fi scanning, disabling Wi-Fi scanning after successful pairing to conserve battery life, and allowing manual reactivation for alternative network searches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous Wi-Fi scanning is performed to detect network receivers, then connection reliability is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) as an intermediary technology to detect network receivers. Instead of using Wi-Fi scanning for detection, the device uses BTLE to locate network receivers and only activates Wi-Fi for actual data connection. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by separating the detection function (using low-power BTLE) from the connection function (using high-power Wi-Fi only when necessary).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic Wi-Fi scanning instead of continuous scanning. The device scans for Wi-Fi networks at specific intervals rather than continuously, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining adequate connection reliability. This periodic approach allows the device to balance between detecting available networks and conserving battery life.
2Adaptability or versatility
If Wi-Fi scanning is performed outside property line, then network availability is improved, but battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses BTLE as a geographic boundary mediator. Network receivers are configured with BTLE geofencing that allows them to be detected only when the device is within the authorized property line. This intermediary mechanism provides geographic awareness, allowing the device to maintain network availability within bounds while avoiding unnecessary scanning outside the property line, thus preserving battery life.
3Reliability
If automatic connection is maintained after leaving home, then connection stability is improved, but unnecessary power consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through BTLE geofencing monitoring. When the device exits the property line, the network receiver detects this through BTLE signal loss and sends a notification to the device. Upon receiving this feedback, the device automatically disconnects from the Wi-Fi network, avoiding unnecessary power consumption. This feedback loop ensures connection stability when needed while preventing wasteful energy usage when the user has left the authorized area.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
The disclosure generally relates to identifying a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) enabled Wi-Fi network receiver and automatically connecting to the BTLE-enabled network receiver via a Wi-Fi signal without using a Wi-Fi scanning operation. In some aspects, an initial connection may be established between the network receiver and a BTLE-enabled device during which the Wi-Fi scanning operation of the device is disabled. Thereafter, the device may automatically detect the BTLE-enabled network receiver via BTLE signal and automatically connect to the network receiving using a Wi-Fi signal without using the Wi-Fi scanning operation. In this way, the battery life of the device may be conserved by disabling the Wi-Fi scanning operation. Although the electronic device may be within the Wi-Fi range of the network receiver, the device may not search for or connect to the network receiver if it is outside of the BTLE range of the network receiver.