Multicast Network Discovery for WiFi Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing WLAN technologies require manual user intervention for network service discovery, which is error-prone and inefficient, especially for small form factor devices, leading to difficulties in selecting the appropriate service provider and optimizing network connections.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for automatic network service discovery through pre-association phase advertisement mechanisms, where WiFi-enabled devices can receive service information from network access points using probe requests and responses, allowing for multicast transmission of service capabilities to reduce power consumption and bandwidth usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual user intervention is used for network service discovery, then users can identify service capabilities, but the process is error-prone and difficult especially for small form factor devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice capability identification accuracyVSAvoidmanual exploration difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic network service discovery where the mobile station autonomously receives and processes service capability information from access points through probe requests and responses, eliminating the need for manual user intervention and associated errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Service capability information is advertised during the pre-association phase through probe responses, allowing devices to identify and select appropriate networks before actual connection is established, making the process easier and more accurate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If service information is advertised during pre-association phase, then automatic network selection is enabled, but additional communication overhead is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic network selectionVSAvoidcommunication protocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The probe request and response mechanisms serve multiple functions: they establish basic connectivity and simultaneously advertise detailed service capabilities, reducing the need for separate discovery protocols and minimizing overall communication overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transmits service capability information selectively based on device needs and network conditions, providing just enough information for automatic selection without overwhelming the communication channel with excessive data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Use of energy by moving object

If multicast transmission is used for service capabilities, then power consumption and bandwidth usage are reduced, but information delivery to all devices must be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice power consumptionVSAvoidinformation delivery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Service capability information is transmitted periodically through scheduled probe responses and beacon frames, ensuring all devices receive updates at regular intervals while allowing devices to enter low-power states between transmissions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates acknowledgment mechanisms where devices confirm receipt of service capability information, ensuring reliable delivery while maintaining efficient multicast transmission patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10098056B2Broadcast/multicast based network discovery

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention relate to apparatus, system, and method for use of WLAN access enabled mobile devices such as notebooks and handheld communication devices. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to methodology whereby WiFi enabled devices can automatically select the appropriate service provider, in a power efficient manner, thereby taking advantage of different services offered by different service providers.