Mobile Devices Cooperative Observation Sharing for Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile computing devices consume significant energy and time when working in isolation to establish network connectivity, GPS location, and perform uplink transmissions due to frequent scans and adjustments in network conditions, leading to battery degradation and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing low-energy communication protocols like Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) for mobile computing devices to share observation information, such as network connectivity and GPS data, among neighboring devices to collaboratively establish connections and reduce the workload, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile computing devices perform individual WIFI scans to establish connectivity, then connectivity can be achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple mobile devices are merged into a cooperative network where they share WIFI scan results and connectivity information. Instead of each device independently scanning for WIFI networks, devices collaborate by combining their observation data, allowing energy-efficient connectivity establishment while maintaining reliable network access.
2Reliability
If mobile computing devices perform frequent scans to adapt to changing network conditions, then connectivity reliability improves, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Mobile devices perform preliminary WIFI scans and store observation information about available networks, including password-protected networks and reliable connectivity data. This preliminary action allows devices to quickly retrieve and share pre-collected network information rather than performing repeated full scans, reducing time loss while maintaining connectivity reliability.
3Ease of operation
If mobile computing devices work in isolation to establish connectivity, then device independence is maintained, but overall system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A cooperative observation information sharing mechanism acts as an intermediary between isolated mobile devices. Devices maintain their autonomy while using this intermediary system to exchange WIFI scan results, GPS location data, and connectivity observations. This mediator enables efficient collective connectivity establishment without compromising individual device operation independence.
4Adaptability or versatility
If mobile computing devices attempt to connect to multiple WIFI networks, then connectivity options increase, but energy waste increases due to failed connections
Solution Approach 1:
Mobile devices share feedback information about successful and unsuccessful WIFI connection attempts with nearby devices. When one device successfully connects to a WIFI network or determines that a network is unreliable, this feedback is propagated to other devices in the cooperative group, allowing them to avoid wasting energy on failed connection attempts while maintaining flexible network selection capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a technique for enabling mobile computing devices to share observation information using low-energy communication protocols. This observation information can include network connectivity information and GPS location information that is either known to or being sought out by a mobile computing device. When observation information (if any) maintained by a mobile computing device does not satisfy a threshold level of confidence, the mobile computing device can query neighboring mobile computing devices for corresponding observation information that satisfies the threshold level of confidence. Conversely, the mobile computing device can be configured to advertise observation information to the neighboring mobile computing devices when the observation information satisfies the threshold level of confidence. In this manner, the mobile computing devices can collaboratively share information in an attempt to reduce the significant workload that is otherwise required when working in isolation to establish network connectivity and determine GPS location information.