Event-triggered peer discovery for wireless devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication networks face inefficiencies in peer-to-peer (P2P) communication due to the constant transmission and reception of proximity detection signals, which lead to significant battery power consumption and reduced standby battery life, even when no other devices are interested in communicating.

Innovation Solution

Implementing event-triggered peer discovery techniques, where devices perform peer discovery only when triggered by specific events such as application activation, changes in position, or device powering on, and adjust the periodicity of peer discovery based on these events, reducing unnecessary signal transmission and reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If devices transmit and receive proximity detection signals continuously at periodic rates, then peer discovery performance is maintained, but battery power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeer discovery performanceVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by transitioning from continuous periodic peer discovery to event-triggered periodic peer discovery. Devices perform peer discovery at periodic intervals only when triggered by specific events (application activation, position changes, device startup), thereby maintaining reliable peer discovery when needed while significantly reducing battery power consumption during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the peer discovery mechanism adaptive and flexible. The system dynamically adjusts peer discovery behavior based on event triggers and device state, allowing the periodicity and frequency of peer discovery to change according to actual communication needs rather than following a fixed continuous schedule.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If devices perform peer discovery continuously, then effective peer discovery is maintained, but standby battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeer discovery effectivenessVSAvoidstandby battery life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic action by implementing event-triggered peer discovery that operates periodically only when necessary. The system maintains peer discovery effectiveness during active periods triggered by events while allowing the device to enter low-power standby mode during idle periods, thereby extending standby battery life without compromising peer discovery effectiveness when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies self-service by enabling devices to autonomously determine when peer discovery is necessary based on local event triggers. Each device monitors its own state and environment for triggering events (application activation, position changes) and independently decides when to perform peer discovery, eliminating the need for continuous external monitoring or control while extending battery life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If peer discovery is performed at high periodicity, then peer discovery responsiveness is improved, but resource utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeer discovery responsivenessVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by using event-triggered peer discovery that adjusts periodicity based on actual needs. When events occur (application activation, position changes), the system performs peer discovery at appropriate intervals to maintain responsiveness. During idle periods, the system reduces or pauses peer discovery, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency without compromising responsiveness when triggered by events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2586223B1Event-triggered peer discovery
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2586223B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2586223B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2586223B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Techniques for supporting peer-to-peer (P2P) communication are disclosed. In an aspect, a device performs peer discovery based on trigger events. In one design, the device detects an event triggering peer discovery, which may be an application becoming active on the device, a change in the position of the device, the device being turned on, etc. The device performs peer discovery based on detection of the event triggering peer discovery. In one design, the device starts peer discovery in response to detecting the trigger event. In another design, the device changes at least one characteristic (e.g., the periodicity) of peer discovery in response to detecting the trigger event. In another design, a device determines an application becoming active on the device. The device transmits a query (e.g., in a proximity detection signal) to request for a service from a peer device to support the application.