Host Interface Activation via Low-Power Network Wake-Up

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for managing local area communication networks in standby mode are inefficient, requiring additional components or active Wi-Fi interfaces, which are not market-admissible due to complexity or high energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method that allows terminal equipment to activate a host equipment's interface with a local area network by using an active interface from a second, low-power network like BLE, enabling the wake-up of high-power networks like Wi-Fi or Ethernet for authorized terminal equipment, while keeping energy-consuming components in standby mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a specific radio device is integrated to wake up Wi-Fi interface in standby mode, then the Wi-Fi interface can be activated remotely, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote activation capabilityVSAvoidadditional components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the Wi-Fi interface itself multi-functional by enabling it to receive and process wake-up packets directly, eliminating the need for a dedicated radio wake-up device. The Wi-Fi interface serves both as the primary communication interface and as the wake-up trigger mechanism, reducing device complexity while maintaining remote activation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the wake-up function from a separate dedicated radio device and integrates it into the existing Wi-Fi interface. By removing the need for additional wake-up-specific hardware and using only the essential Wi-Fi components, the solution reduces device complexity while preserving the ability to remotely activate the interface from standby mode

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the Wi-Fi interface remains active to enable Bluetooth to Wi-Fi session transfer, then session continuity is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesession transfer capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares the Wi-Fi interface for potential session transfer by keeping it in a low-power standby state rather than fully active. The interface maintains minimal functionality to receive wake-up packets and authentication information, enabling rapid session transfer when needed while consuming significantly less energy than a fully active interface would require

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If equipment is placed in standby mode to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but the ability to be woken up reliably deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidwake-up reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the Wi-Fi interface in standby mode can receive and process wake-up packets containing authentication information. This intermediary function allows the system to maintain low power consumption during standby while ensuring reliable wake-up capability through proper authentication verification before activating full functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system verifies authentication information contained in wake-up packets before activating the interface. This feedback loop ensures that only authorized wake-up requests can activate the interface from standby mode, maintaining reliability while preserving energy efficiency by preventing spurious activations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20240195644A1Method for processing a request to activate at least one interface of an item of host equipment with at least one local area communication network managed by the host equipment, method for requesting activation of the at least one interface and corresponding devices, host equipment, terminal equipment, management system and computer programs

Publication Date: 2024.06.13 ORANGE SA

AI summary

A method for processing a request to activate at least one interface of an item of host equipment with a first local area communication network managed by the item of host equipment, the item of host equipment and the interface being in standby mode. The method implementing: receiving from an item of terminal equipment of an application message requesting activation of the interface of the first network on an interface that has remained active of the item of host equipment with a second local area communication network; verifying that the item of terminal equipment is authorized to access the at least one first network based on an address, called second address, of the item of terminal equipment for the second network and, when the item of terminal equipment is authorized to access the at least one first network, activating the at least one interface of the first network.