NAN Device Discovery via Bloom Filter Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless networks face inefficiencies in communicating identifying information, leading to increased network overhead and power consumption, particularly in neighborhood aware networks where devices need to advertise and discover services while maintaining low power usage.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a wireless neighborhood aware network (NAN) system where devices receive and process messages containing identifiers from neighboring devices, adding them to a data structure and transmitting this information efficiently, using techniques like Bloom filters to manage discovered device addresses and optimize communication, thereby reducing unnecessary transmissions and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If devices transmit comprehensive identifying information to enable complete device discovery, then device discovery capability is improved, but network overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice discovery capabilityVSAvoidnetwork overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential identifying information (device identifiers) from complete device profiles and transmits these minimal necessary elements through Bloom filters. This allows devices to be discovered without transmitting redundant information such as full device capabilities, service details, or other extraneous data that would increase network overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of information representation by using Bloom filters - a probabilistic data structure that represents sets of identifiers in a space-efficient manner. This transformation allows the same device discovery function to be achieved with significantly reduced data transmission compared to traditional methods of sharing complete device information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If devices transmit comprehensive identifying information to ensure complete device discovery, then device discovery capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice discovery capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential identifying information (device identifiers) from complete device profiles and transmits these minimal necessary elements through Bloom filters. This allows devices to be discovered without transmitting redundant information such as full device capabilities, service details, or other extraneous data that would increase network overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of information representation by using Bloom filters - a probabilistic data structure that represents sets of identifiers in a space-efficient manner. This transformation allows the same device discovery function to be achieved with significantly reduced data transmission compared to traditional methods of sharing complete device information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If devices transmit only minimal identifying information to reduce network overhead, then network overhead is reduced, but device discovery completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork overheadVSAvoiddevice discovery completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces Bloom filters as an intermediary data structure that mediates between complete device information and minimal identifiers. The Bloom filter acts as a probabilistic membership test that allows devices to efficiently determine whether they have been discovered without requiring complete information exchange, thus maintaining discovery completeness while minimizing overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of information representation by using Bloom filters - a probabilistic data structure that represents sets of identifiers in a space-efficient manner. This transformation allows the same device discovery function to be achieved with significantly reduced data transmission compared to traditional methods of sharing complete device information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Use of energy by moving object

If devices transmit only minimal identifying information to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but device discovery completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddevice discovery completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces Bloom filters as an intermediary data structure that mediates between complete device information and minimal identifiers. The Bloom filter acts as a probabilistic membership test that allows devices to efficiently determine whether they have been discovered without requiring complete information exchange, thus maintaining discovery completeness while minimizing overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of information representation by using Bloom filters - a probabilistic data structure that represents sets of identifiers in a space-efficient manner. This transformation allows the same device discovery function to be achieved with significantly reduced data transmission compared to traditional methods of sharing complete device information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2965549B1Method and apparatus for discovering devices in a neighborhood aware network
Publication Date: 2018.10.24 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2965549B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2965549B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2965549B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, devices, and computer program products communicating discovery information in a wireless neighborhood aware network (NAN). One method includes receiving a message from a neighboring wireless device. The message includes an identifier associated with the neighboring wireless device. The method further includes adding the identifier to a data structure indicative of discovered device identifiers. The method further includes transmitting a message including the data structure indicative of discovered device identifiers.