Layer 2 Discovery for Wireless Device Presence Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems require continuous Layer 3 connections to maintain device presence, leading to increased power consumption and reduced battery life, as well as potential interference with other devices due to unnecessary network connections.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Layer 2 device discovery mechanism to monitor the presence of remote devices without maintaining a continuous Layer 3 connection, allowing for the reestablishment of connections only when needed, thereby reducing power usage and minimizing network interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a continuous Layer 3 connection is maintained to monitor device presence, then device presence can be reliably detected, but power consumption increases and battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection monitoring function by separating Layer 2 presence detection from Layer 3 connection maintenance. The system uses Layer 2 discoverability to detect device presence without requiring continuous Layer 3 connections, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining detection reliability through periodic or event-triggered Layer 2 probes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of maintaining continuous Layer 3 connections, the system employs periodic Layer 2 discovery mechanisms to monitor device presence. This periodic probing approach allows the system to detect when devices are available without the continuous energy expenditure of sustained Layer 3 connections, balancing reliability with power conservation.
2Reliability
If a continuous Layer 3 connection is maintained to ensure seamless access to network services, then service availability is guaranteed, but spectral pollution increases due to unnecessary network connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the presence detection function from the Layer 3 connection layer and places it at the Layer 2 level. This extraction allows the system to monitor service availability through Layer 2 discoverability without maintaining unnecessary Layer 3 connections, thereby reducing spectral pollution while preserving the ability to establish connections when services are needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its behavior by establishing Layer 3 connections only when Layer 2 presence detection indicates services are available. This dynamic approach prevents continuous Layer 3 connections and associated spectral pollution, while ensuring service access is maintained when devices are actually present and services are needed.
3Use of energy by moving object
If Layer 2 device discovery is used to monitor presence without continuous Layer 3 connection, then power consumption is reduced, but connection reestablishment time may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary Layer 2 presence detection before establishing Layer 3 connections. By pre-determining device availability through Layer 2 discoverability, the system can quickly establish connections without time-consuming discovery processes, thereby reducing reestablishment time while maintaining low power consumption through the efficient Layer 2 probing mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for monitoring presence of a remote device at Layer 2 that allow reducing power consumption without compromising the device's availability. A device that pairs with a remote wireless device may establish a Layer 3 connection, such as an IP connection, to the remote device to provide services to a user. The Layer 3 connection may be formed over a Layer 2 connection via an access point or as a peer-to-peer wireless connection between the devices. When the Layer 3 connection is not actively used to access the remote device, the Layer 3 connection and the supporting Layer 2 connection (e.g., WI-FI, WI-FI DIRECT™ or BLUETOOTH®) may be terminated and presence of the remote device may be monitored using a Layer 2 device discovery mechanism. The Layer 2 and Layer 3 connections to the device may be reestablished when use of the remote device is desired.