Multi-Phase Radio Connection Setup for Wearable Power Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The establishment of radio connections in power-conscious devices, such as wearable devices and sensors, is power-intensive and inefficient, particularly when multiple connections need to be repeatedly established, which can lead to significant resource consumption.

Innovation Solution

The method involves partitioning the radio connection establishment process into multiple phases, allowing different radio access networks or technologies to be used in each phase, optimizing power consumption by selecting the most efficient technology for each stage, including a trigger phase, service discovery phase, communications setup phase, and communications relay phase.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If device discovery and connection establishment are performed using traditional single-technology approaches, then connection reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidconnection establishment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection establishment process is divided into distinct phases: device discovery phase and connection setup phase. Each phase can utilize different radio access technologies optimized for its specific requirements, allowing power-efficient operation during discovery while maintaining reliable connection establishment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects appropriate radio access technologies for each phase of connection establishment based on current conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to optimize power consumption by using low-power technologies when appropriate while maintaining connection reliability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple connections are repeatedly established, then communication flexibility is improved, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection flexibilityVSAvoidresource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Device discovery is performed in advance during the discovery phase, identifying potential connection targets before actual connection establishment is needed. This preliminary action reduces the need for repeated full connection establishment procedures, thereby reducing resource consumption while maintaining connection flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If connection establishment processes are simplified, then power consumption is reduced, but connection reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach where device discovery acts as a preliminary step that prepares connection information in advance. This intermediary discovery phase reduces the complexity and power consumption of subsequent connection establishment while maintaining reliability by having connection parameters pre-negotiated or identified.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3485677B1System and method for efficient connection setup and communication for power conscious devices
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3485677B1 patent drawingFigure 1~9
  • EP3485677B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3485677B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method for establishing a radio connection includes selecting a first radio access technology for a first phase of a multi-phase radio connection establishment process to minimize power consumption at a remote device, and participating in the first phase of the multi-phase radio connection establishment process. The method also enables establishing and using a radio connection with the first radio access technology that is selected independently from a selection of a second radio access technology used in a second phase of the multi-phase radio connection establishment process, wherein the second phase may be relayed or direct data communications over the established connection in the first phase between the wearable device and its peer (relay) devices or network equipment.