Client Device Channel Scanning for Beacon Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication devices face challenges in maintaining network association while monitoring secondary channels for information, as frequent tuning away from primary channels can lead to connection loss and data transfer disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A method where a client device maintains association with a primary channel while monitoring a single secondary channel during alternate time slices, allowing for the reception of beacons to determine properties of the client device or access points without establishing a new association, even when beacons are transmitted infrequently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the client device frequently tunes away from the primary channel to monitor secondary channels, then information reception on secondary channels is improved, but connection stability on the primary channel deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring task into segments by monitoring only one secondary channel at a time during alternate time slices, rather than continuously monitoring all channels. This segmentation allows the device to gather information from multiple channels over time without simultaneously compromising primary channel connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by switching between monitoring the primary channel and a single secondary channel in alternate time slices. This periodic monitoring pattern enables information reception on secondary channels while maintaining connection stability on the primary channel, as the device returns to the primary channel regularly.
2Loss of information
If the client device monitors multiple secondary channels simultaneously, then information reception is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the secondary channel monitoring into sequential steps, monitoring one secondary channel at a time during different time slices. This approach reduces device complexity by avoiding simultaneous monitoring of multiple channels while still enabling comprehensive information collection across all secondary channels over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic channel monitoring where the monitored channel changes over time based on a predetermined pattern. The device dynamically switches between primary and secondary channels in alternate time slices, enabling flexible information reception without requiring complex simultaneous multi-channel monitoring capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the client device establishes new associations with access points on secondary channels, then network adaptability is improved, but re-association delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the association establishment process from the normal communication flow by using beacon frames from secondary channels to determine properties without requiring actual association. This extraction allows the device to gather network information and determine properties like location or access point characteristics without committing to re-association, thereby avoiding re-association delays while maintaining network adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by using beacon frames to determine properties of access points and the client device before establishing any association. This preliminary property determination enables the device to prepare for potential re-associations or optimize current communication without actually re-establishing associations, thus avoiding the time delays associated with re-association while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for channel scanning. In one aspect, a method includes, while maintaining an association with a first access point on a first channel during first, second, and third consecutive time slices: (i) monitoring, by a client device, a single second channel during the first time slice and the third time slice, and (ii) monitoring, by the client device, the first channel during the second time slice; receiving a beacon from a second access point during the first time slice or the third time slice; and determining a property of the client device or the second access point using the beacon, without using the beacon to determine whether to establish an association with the second access point.