Low-Power Device Message Relay for Out-of-Range Server Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices with low power wireless transmitters, typically battery-powered, are often out of range of Internet connectivity and cannot access remote servers due to their limited range, rendering existing solutions like WiFi repeaters or power line networking impractical or costly.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a first device switching to router mode to establish a connection with a second device, which temporarily relays messages containing the remote server's address, allowing the second device to access the Internet and transmit the message to the server when in range, using a relay application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a device uses a low power wireless transmitter to extend battery life, then energy consumption is reduced, but the transmission range becomes insufficient to reach Internet gateways
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second device (mobile device with Internet access) as an intermediary to relay messages between the first device (out of range) and the remote server. The first device communicates with the second device via short-range wireless communication, and the second device forwards messages to the server, effectively extending the communication range without requiring the first device to have high transmission power.
2Length of moving object
If WiFi repeaters or power line networking are deployed to extend Internet coverage, then transmission range is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the second device's existing Internet connection and processing capabilities to perform the relaying function. The second device uses its own Internet access, address book, and message handling abilities to forward communications, eliminating the need for dedicated infrastructure devices like WiFi repeaters or power line networking equipment.
3Reliability
If a device establishes direct connection to remote server, then communication reliability is improved, but the device must be within Internet gateway range which limits deployment flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The second device acts as a mediator that bridges the first device and the remote server. The first device can be deployed anywhere within short-range wireless coverage of the second device, and the second device handles the Internet connection and server communication, ensuring reliable message delivery while providing deployment flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to allow an access to the Internet, and therefore to a remote server, for a device having no connection with an Internet gateway, there is proposed a method to transmit a message from a first device to a remote server, the first device having no connection with the remote server, said method comprising:detecting a second device by the first device,establishing a communication channel between the first and the second device,transferring the message from the first to the second device, said message comprising an address of the remote server,transferring, by the second device, the message to the remote server using the remote server address contained in the message.