Dynamic Wi-Fi Scan Regulation for Streaming Jitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wi-Fi scans on consumer mobile devices are expensive in terms of power consumption and introduce jitter and packet loss due to buffering, particularly during streaming sessions, leading to unsatisfactory user experiences and battery drainage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic regulation and control method for Wi-Fi scans based on device state and application requirements, optimizing scan parameters such as scan rate, dwell time, and channel scanning to minimize interruptions and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Wi-Fi scans are performed to determine access point availability, then network connectivity is maintained, but power consumption increases and user experience deteriorates due to jitter and packet loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic scan parameter adjustment based on device state and application requirements. The system continuously monitors whether the device is in idle state or actively streaming media, and adapts scan frequency and duration accordingly. During idle periods, scans are performed at normal intervals to maintain connectivity. During active streaming, scan parameters are dynamically adjusted to reduce interruptions, thereby lowering power consumption while maintaining reliable network connection during critical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes scan parameters (frequency, duration, depth) based on operational context. When media streaming is detected, the patent modifies scan parameters to perform fewer or shorter scans, reducing the time the radio spends off-channel and thereby reducing power consumption. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain network connectivity reliability while significantly reducing energy expenditure during periods when connectivity disruptions would be most noticeable to users.
2Reliability
If Wi-Fi scans are performed to maintain network connectivity, then access point availability is determined, but jitter and packet loss occur due to frame buffering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent detects when media streaming is about to occur or is currently occurring, and proactively adjusts scan parameters before scanning begins. By detecting the streaming state in advance, the system can prevent scan-induced interruptions from occurring during critical data transmission periods. This preliminary detection and adjustment mechanism ensures that scans are either postponed or performed with modified parameters that minimize their impact on ongoing streaming operations, thereby preventing jitter and packet loss before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors device state (idle vs. active streaming) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust scan behavior. When streaming activity is detected, the feedback loop triggers parameter adjustments that reduce scan frequency or duration. This closed-loop control ensures that scan operations adapt in real-time to current network conditions and application requirements, maintaining optimal user experience by preventing scan-related disruptions during sensitive operations while still performing necessary connectivity checks during idle periods.
3Reliability
If scan frequency is increased to improve network responsiveness, then connectivity reliability improves, but battery drain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic scanning with variable intervals based on device state. During idle periods, scans are performed at higher frequency to maintain network responsiveness and quickly detect connectivity changes. During active media streaming, the system transitions to lower frequency or extended-interval scanning to reduce battery consumption. This state-dependent periodic action allows the system to optimize the balance between connectivity responsiveness and energy conservation, performing scans frequently only when necessary for user experience while conserving battery during periods when disruptions would be most impactful.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for discovering wireless access. The method includes launching an application in association with a first device. A Wi-Fi scan policy is accessed, wherein the scan policy is associated with the application. The method includes setting parameters for implementing a plurality of Wi-Fi scans from the first device based on said Wi-Fi scan policy.