Wireless Network Switching Logic for NAN Disconnection Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN), communication apparatuses face disconnection issues when switching to a higher-priority wireless network during active data communication with a specified partner apparatus.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus is designed with a detection unit to identify second wireless networks, a determination unit to assess if data communication with a specified partner is ongoing, and a switching unit to prevent network switching if communication is active, only switching when communication with the partner is not in progress and the new network has a higher priority.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a communication apparatus switches to a detected NAN cluster with higher CG during data communication, then the cluster priority is improved, but the data communication connection is disconnected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecluster priorityVSAvoiddata communication connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication apparatus performs preliminary detection of NAN clusters with higher CG before switching, and checks the communication status with the partner apparatus. The switching decision is made in advance only when communication is not being performed, preventing disconnection while allowing priority improvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the network switching behavior based on the current communication state. When communication with a partner apparatus is detected, the apparatus maintains the current cluster connection. When no communication is occurring, it switches to higher CG clusters, making the system adaptive to real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a communication apparatus continuously monitors for higher priority networks, then the network priority is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork priorityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The communication apparatus performs periodic detection of NAN clusters at predetermined intervals rather than continuous monitoring. This periodic detection mechanism allows the system to update its knowledge of available clusters and switch to higher CG clusters when appropriate, while consuming less power compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10595259B2Communication apparatus, communication method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 CANON KK

AI summary

A communication apparatus participates in a first wireless network and if the communication apparatus is performing data communication with a communication partner, the communication apparatus will not search for other wireless networks and/or switch to another wireless network. If no data communication with a communication partner is occurring, the communication apparatus can search for other wireless networks and switch to a detected wireless network.