Fabric Network Routing Across Low-Power and WiFi Protocols

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Solution Overview

Problem

Devices connected to different power protocols, such as battery-powered devices, often cannot communicate with those using higher power protocols like WiFi, limiting network connectivity and efficiency in home environments.

Innovation Solution

A fabric network utilizing IPv6 communication with unique local addresses and multiple logical networks enables efficient communication among devices with varying power requirements, including battery-powered and continuously powered devices, using protocols like Ethernet, WiFi, and 802.15.4, with inter-network routing and proxying to facilitate data exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If devices use lower power protocols (e.g., 802.15.4) for communication, then power consumption is reduced, but communication capability with devices using higher power protocols (e.g., WiFi) is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The network is segmented into multiple logical networks, each operating on different power protocols (WiFi, Ethernet, 802.15.4). Devices are assigned to appropriate logical networks based on their power requirements and communication needs, allowing battery-powered devices to operate on low-power 802.15.4 while maintaining overall network connectivity through protocol-specific segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Protocol translation and routing mechanisms act as intermediaries between different logical networks. The system translates messages between different protocol formats (IPv6 over 802.15.4, IPv4 over WiFi/Ethernet) and routes them appropriately, enabling devices on different protocols to communicate without directly interfacing, thus preserving low-power operation while maintaining communication versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a single network protocol is used for all devices, then network simplicity is maintained, but devices with different power requirements cannot communicate effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork structureVSAvoiddevice compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The network is divided into multiple logical networks, each operating on different power protocols (WiFi, Ethernet, 802.15.4). Devices are assigned to appropriate logical networks based on their power requirements and communication needs, allowing battery-powered devices to operate on low-power 802.15.4 while maintaining overall network connectivity through protocol-specific segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fabric network provides universal communication capabilities across multiple protocols through a unified addressing scheme (IPv6) and message routing infrastructure. The system can translate and route messages between different protocol formats, enabling a single network infrastructure to serve diverse device types with different power requirements and communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Duration of action of moving object

If battery-powered devices use low power protocols, then operational duration is extended, but network connectivity and coordination efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational durationVSAvoidcoordination efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements quality of service (QoS) mechanisms that monitor and adjust message routing based on network conditions and device capabilities. Feedback loops ensure that time-sensitive messages are routed through appropriate paths (potentially using higher-power protocols for critical communications) while maintaining overall energy efficiency, thus preserving both operational duration and coordination efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4319068B1Fabric network

Publication Date: 2025.12.17 GOOGLE LLC

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AI summary

An electronic device is presented, comprising a memory to store instructions; and a processing system communicatively coupled to the memory, the processing system configured to receive a view request message from a second electronic device through a fabric network, the view request message indicating a schema path and generate an update request.