Group Synchronization of Mobile Phones via Beacon Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face inefficiencies in frequency utilization when synchronizing with multiple communications apparatuses operating in independent cycles, leading to degraded frequency utilization efficiency and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A mobile phone system that detects and synchronizes with beacon cycles of other mobile phones, allowing for collective ID requests and data transmission during designated AWAKE modes, while entering DOZE mode during non-transmission periods to conserve power and optimize frequency use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a communications apparatus synchronizes individually with each of multiple other communications apparatuses, then communication reliability is improved, but frequency utilization efficiency is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual synchronization operations into a single group synchronization operation. The communications apparatus transmits one information request to a group of other apparatuses that share the same beacon cycle, and all apparatuses in the group respond within their respective AWAKE periods. This combining approach maintains communication reliability by ensuring each apparatus is still synchronized individually while improving frequency utilization efficiency by reducing the total number of synchronization requests transmitted.
2Loss of information
If a communications apparatus transmits individual information requests for each other apparatus, then communication completeness is improved, but power consumption is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the periodic AWAKE periods of other communications apparatuses to optimize power consumption. Instead of transmitting information requests continuously or at arbitrary times, the apparatus transmits requests during the AWAKE periods when other apparatuses are actively listening. This periodic action ensures communication completeness by guaranteeing that requests are transmitted when recipients can receive them, while reducing power consumption by avoiding transmissions during DOZE periods when receivers are inactive.
3Adaptability or versatility
If communications apparatuses operate in independent cycles, then operational flexibility is improved, but frequency utilization efficiency is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the group of communications apparatuses into subgroups based on their beacon cycles. Apparatuses with the same beacon cycle are grouped together for collective synchronization, while apparatuses with different beacon cycles are handled in separate groups. This segmentation maintains operational flexibility by allowing each subgroup to operate according to its own timing characteristics, while improving frequency utilization efficiency by preventing overlapping transmissions from different beacon cycles that would cause interference and require retransmissions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communications apparatus comprises a determination means for determining a timing of starting a period when a communications group, to which a plurality of other communications apparatuses belong, can perform communications, based on a beacon signal that was received by the communications apparatus in a predetermined period, a transmission means for transmitting a signal that requests obtaining of information to the plurality of other communications apparatuses, according to the timing that was determined by the determination means, an obtaining means for obtaining information from each of the plurality of other communications apparatuses in a case where the signal was transmitted by the transmission means, and a display control means for controlling display on a display based on the information obtained by the obtaining means.