Paired Wireless Device Scanning Proxy for Battery Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered wireless devices face inefficiency in scanning for available wireless networks, as both devices in proximity often scan independently, leading to redundant efforts and significant battery power consumption.
Innovation Solution
One device performs wireless network scanning and shares the results with the other device, allowing the latter to connect to available networks without scanning, thereby minimizing redundant scanning and conserving battery power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If both wireless devices perform independent scanning to find available networks, then each device can autonomously discover networks, but battery power consumption increases significantly and redundant scanning efforts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the scanning function between two paired wireless devices by having one device perform scanning and share results with the other device. This eliminates redundant scanning operations while maintaining network discovery capability, directly reducing battery power consumption without compromising network connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where scanning results are shared between paired devices through a communication channel. This allows one device to act as a scanning proxy for the other, reducing overall energy consumption while ensuring both devices can access network information.
2Ease of operation
If both wireless devices perform independent scanning, then each device maintains scanning autonomy, but time is wasted on redundant scanning operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines scanning operations into a single autonomous action performed by one device, with results automatically shared to the paired device. This maintains operational simplicity while eliminating time wasted on redundant scanning, as the second device receives scanning results without performing its own scan.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the first device perform scanning before the second device needs network information. The scanning results are prepared and shared in advance, allowing the second device to connect to networks without performing its own scanning operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a first wireless device, the method performing wireless network scanning to discover available wireless networks; and communicating results of the scanning to a second wireless device, the results containing information to enable the second wireless device to connect to at least one of the available wireless networks without the second wireless device having to perform the same wireless network scanning or reduce the amount of scanning required to connect to at least one of the available wireless network. Also a method in a first wireless device, the method receiving results of wireless network scanning performed on a second wireless device, the results containing information enabling the first wireless device to connect to at least one available wireless network discovered during the scanning without the first wireless device having to perform the same wireless network scanning.