Communication Search Signal Timing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communication systems, fruitless communication occurs when a communication apparatus searches for another apparatus without receiving a response signal, leading to unnecessary transmission and reception.

Innovation Solution

The communication system includes a search communication apparatus that transmits a search request signal with information indicating a valid transmission period for the search response signal, ensuring that the search response is only transmitted within this period, thereby preventing fruitless communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the search subject communication apparatus repeatedly transmits the search response signal when it cannot receive a response, then the probability of successful communication establishment increases, but fruitless transmission and reception occurs causing communication waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication establishment success rateVSAvoidfruitless transmission and reception
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The search request signal includes advance information about the transmission enabled period (valid period) in which the search response signal can be transmitted. This preliminary action allows the search subject communication apparatus to know in advance when it should transmit responses, preventing continuous fruitless transmissions after the search communication apparatus has switched channels or completed its search.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the search communication apparatus continuously scans for communication partners, then the speed of finding a connection destination improves, but unnecessary communication attempts increase when partners are not available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection destination search speedVSAvoidfruitless communication time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission enabled period creates a periodic structure where the search communication apparatus transmits requests during specific intervals and the search subject communication apparatus transmits responses during designated valid periods. This periodic action rhythm prevents continuous fruitless communication while maintaining efficient search speed by concentrating transmissions into meaningful time windows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Speed

If the search subject communication apparatus transmits response signals without timing control, then responsiveness to search requests improves, but communication interference and waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse transmission speedVSAvoidcommunication interference and waste
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission enabled period dynamically controls when response signals can be transmitted based on the search request timing and the search communication apparatus's channel switching schedule. This dynamic timing control ensures rapid response transmission during valid periods while preventing interference and waste by stopping transmissions when the search communication apparatus is not listening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2613578B1Communication system, communication apparatus, communication program, and communication method
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP2613578B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2613578B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2613578B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An example communication system includes: a search communication apparatus which searches for another communication apparatus; and a search subject communication apparatus which is searched for by the search communication apparatus. The search communication apparatus includes search request transmission means for transmitting a search request signal. The search subject communication apparatus includes: search request reception means for receiving the search request signal transmitted from the search communication apparatus; and search response transmission means for transmitting a search response signal which is a response to the search request signal received by the search request reception means, to the search communication apparatus. The search communication apparatus further includes a search response reception means which receives the search response signal transmitted from the search subject communication apparatus. The search request transmission means transmits information indicating a transmission enabled period in which the search response transmission means can transmit the search response signal.