Intermediate Device Message Scheduling for Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In local area networks, especially those with many battery-powered devices that sleep for long periods, the network controller faces challenges in managing buffered messages and wake times, leading to inefficient storage and increased latency due to intermittent traffic spikes and competition for resources.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate device coordinates message transfer by requesting wireless communication devices to re-enter a communication mode at specific time frames, allowing for staggered wake times and efficient message retrieval, thereby reducing buffering needs and improving network efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network controller buffers all messages for sleeping clients until they wake up, then message delivery is ensured, but storage requirements increase and network capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the message buffering function by introducing an intermediate device that handles message buffering separately from the network controller. This allows the controller to not buffer all messages, reducing its storage requirements while still ensuring message delivery through the intermediate device's buffering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate device as a mediator between the network controller and sleeping clients. This intermediate device assumes the buffering responsibility, allowing the controller to maintain reliability without requiring large storage capacity.
2Productivity
If multiple clients wake up simultaneously to retrieve messages, then message retrieval is efficient, but competition for resources increases and wake time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the network controller send wake-up notifications to clients in advance, allowing them to wake up at different scheduled times rather than simultaneously. This spreads out the wake times and reduces competition for network resources while maintaining efficient message retrieval.
3Loss of time
If sleeping clients wake up frequently to check for messages, then message delivery is timely, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by establishing scheduled wake-up times for clients based on message arrival patterns. Clients wake up periodically at predetermined intervals rather than continuously or frequently, balancing timely message delivery with reduced power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transferring messages to wireless communication device, the method may include receiving, by an intermediate device, from a upstream device, a certain message awaiting indication that is indicative that a certain message is waiting to be sent to a certain wireless communication device; detecting, by the intermediate device, that the certain wireless communication device is in a wireless communication facilitating mode; requesting the certain wireless communication device, to re-enter the wireless communication facilitating mode at a certain time frame; retrieving the certain message from the upstream device; detecting, by the intermediate device, that the certain wireless communication device re-entered the wireless communication facilitating mode at the certain time frame; and wirelessly transmitting the certain message to the certain wireless communication device.