Dynamic Communication Link Switching for Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication methods struggle to efficiently establish and manage multiple communication links between devices, particularly in scenarios where devices need to dynamically switch between different communication methods based on availability and power consumption, leading to suboptimal data transfer and increased power usage.
Innovation Solution
A communication method that allows devices to detect predetermined events, such as unlocking a screen or executing an application, to activate specific communication units, establish a primary communication link using low-power methods like BLE, and then switch to higher-power methods like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for data transfer, while maintaining low-power links for control channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices use high-power communication methods (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) for data transfer, then data transfer speed and reliability are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic communication link management where devices automatically switch between low-power control links and high-power data transfer links based on operational needs. The system maintains flexibility by allowing seamless transitions between different communication methods (BLE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) to optimize both power consumption and link reliability in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into separate control channel and data transmission channel. The control channel uses low-power methods (BLE) for maintaining connections and exchanging control information, while data transfer uses high-power methods (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) only when needed. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable data transfer without continuously consuming high power.
2Productivity
If devices establish multiple communication links simultaneously, then data transfer efficiency and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple communication technologies (BLE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) into a unified communication manager that handles link establishment, maintenance, and termination. This consolidation simplifies the device architecture by providing a single interface for managing diverse communication links, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from handling each communication method separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication manager is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple types of communication links (control and data) through a single interface. It provides multi-functional capabilities including link establishment, data transmission, control signaling, and dynamic switching, thereby improving data transfer efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If devices continuously monitor and switch between communication methods, then adaptability and power efficiency are improved, but response time and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing low-power control links using BLE before initiating high-power data transfer. This advance preparation ensures that when data transfer is needed, the devices are already paired and authenticated, reducing the time and processing overhead required for switching between communication methods while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication manager acts as an intermediary that abstracts the complexity of switching between communication methods. It handles the time-consuming tasks of link establishment and method switching in the background, providing a smooth interface to applications without exposing them to the processing overhead and delay implications, thereby maintaining fast response times despite continuous monitoring.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication method used by a first device that communicates with a second device is provided. The method includes detecting an occurrence of a predetermined event related to a device scan, scanning the second device that provides identifier information and capability information, establishing a first communication link with the scanned second device by using a first communication method, determining a second communication method for communicating data with the second device via the first communication link, and establishing a second communication link with the second device by using the determined second communication method.