Discovery Beacon Design for P2P Wireless Channel Search

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Solution Overview

Problem

Peer-to-peer (P2P) devices in wireless communications networks face challenges in discovering each other without a network controller, as they need to search through multiple channels, which can be time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

Designating specific social channels for device discovery within a multi-channel environment, where devices can transmit discovery beacons and respond to each other to establish association, reducing the search space and increasing discovery efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If devices search through all available channels for discovery, then the probability of finding each other increases, but the time required for discovery increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscovery probabilityVSAvoiddiscovery time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the channel space into two distinct segments: social channels designated for device discovery and non-social channels for other purposes. This segmentation allows devices to focus their discovery efforts on a specific subset of channels, reducing the search time while maintaining effective discovery capability through dedicated discovery infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

If devices transmit and listen for beacons simultaneously on multiple channels, then discovery speed improves, but the complexity of coordination increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscovery speedVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces social channels as an intermediary layer for device discovery. Instead of devices directly coordinating on all channels, the social channel infrastructure mediates the discovery process, providing a standardized interface for beacon transmission and reception, thereby reducing coordination complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If a network controller is used to identify devices to each other, then discovery efficiency is high, but the system loses autonomy and requires centralized control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscovery efficiencyVSAvoidsystem autonomy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables devices to perform self-service discovery through beacon transmission and reception on social channels. Devices autonomously initiate discovery sequences, exchange information, and establish connections without requiring network controller intervention, thereby maintaining system autonomy while achieving efficient discovery through standardized protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2422572B1Discovery channel and discovery beacon for peer-to-peer devices in wireless communications network
Publication Date: 2019.05.29 INTEL CORP
  • EP2422572B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2422572B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2422572B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a multi-channel wireless communications environment, at least one of the channels may be used for the purpose of allowing devices to discover each other so that they may subsequently communicate with each other on another channel. In some embodiments a special discovery beacon may be used on that channel, which is dedicated to the purpose of allowing the devices to discover each other.