Diluted Beaconing for Wireless Device Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication protocols are not suitable for resource-constrained devices as they require extensive network synchronization, which is resource-intensive and inefficient for devices with limited processing power, space, and power constraints.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow apparatuses to maintain awareness information and determine pending data-related tasks within a wireless network by exchanging awareness information during control periods, enabling efficient interaction and resource conservation through a data sub-mode operation during service data periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing wireless communication protocols are used for network synchronization, then network connectivity and synchronization are maintained, but resource consumption (power, processing) increases significantly for resource-constrained devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic awareness information exchange during diluted beacon periods instead of continuous synchronization. Devices wake up periodically to exchange awareness information about data availability and search queries, then return to sleep mode. This periodic action maintains necessary network awareness while dramatically reducing power consumption compared to continuous protocol requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network interaction into distinct phases: control period for awareness information exchange and service data period for actual data transfer. This segmentation allows devices to minimize processing during the control period by only exchanging essential awareness information, while deferring data-intensive operations to dedicated service periods, thus reducing overall resource consumption.
2Reliability
If existing wireless communication protocols require extensive network participation for synchronization, then network connectivity is maintained, but processing resources and device capabilities are overstrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of network awareness from the full protocol suite. Instead of implementing complete protocol requirements for synchronization, the system extracts only the critical awareness information exchange mechanism. This allows resource-constrained devices to maintain basic network connectivity awareness without the processing burden of full protocol compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing only the necessary awareness information exchange during diluted beacon periods, rather than full protocol synchronization. Devices perform minimal required actions to maintain connectivity awareness, omitting unnecessary protocol overhead and complex synchronization procedures that would strain limited processing resources.
3Use of energy by moving object
If devices operate with limited resources (processing power, space, power), then device portability and battery life are improved, but ability to participate in standard network protocols is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation modes where devices can switch between awareness information exchange mode during control periods and data transfer mode during service data periods. This dynamic adaptation allows resource-constrained devices to participate in the network flexibly, adjusting their behavior based on current needs rather than being locked into rigid protocol requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal awareness information exchange mechanism that serves multiple functions: network awareness, data availability notification, and search query communication. This multi-functional approach allows devices with limited resources to perform multiple protocol-related tasks through a single simplified mechanism, improving adaptability without requiring full protocol implementation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatuses may stay synchronized with a network via a beacon signal that is transmitted at a set interval. Various communication-related activities may be planned around an instance when a beacon signal is expected, or a target beacon transmission time (TBTT). While some networked apparatuses are active during every TBTT, other apparatuses may operate using a diluted beacon period that is an integer multiple of the network beacon signal interval. Diluted beacon intervals may initiate periods of time during which apparatuses may become "aware" of other apparatuses. Awareness may comprise information related to communication configuration, apparatus status, and services offered by the various apparatuses in the network. Awareness information obtained during an awake window may also comprise information on data-related tasks that are pending in one or more apparatuses which may allow for the control of further data conveyance activities.