Proxy Device Power Conservation in Wireless Client Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Client terminals face significant power consumption challenges in connected modes, leading to rapid battery depletion, while switching to idle modes results in noticeable delays and user experience issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a proxy device to listen for data messages, allowing the client terminal to switch from a connected mode to a disconnected or inactive mode without notifying the access point, using a secondary communication interface to receive messages from the proxy device, thereby conserving power while maintaining connected mode performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the client terminal operates in connected mode to maintain fast data reception, then data reception speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy device as an intermediary between the access point and the client terminal. The proxy device receives and forwards data to the terminal via a secondary wireless interface, allowing the terminal to maintain connected mode performance while actually operating in a power-saving state. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by decoupling the terminal's operational mode from its power consumption state.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the client terminal switches to idle mode to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but data reception delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the proxy device monitor the data channel and prepare data for forwarding before the terminal needs it. The proxy device stays in connected mode and proactively receives data, so when the terminal wakes up from idle mode, data is already available for immediate delivery, eliminating the reconnection delay while maintaining power savings.
3Reliability
If the client terminal uses high-power communication interface to maintain connection, then connection reliability is improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication function into two parts: the primary high-power communication interface maintains connection reliability with the access point, while the secondary low-power interface handles data reception from the proxy device. This segmentation allows the terminal to use the high-power interface only when necessary for connection maintenance, extending battery life while preserving connection reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A novel power conservation scheme is provided for conserving power in client terminals by using a proxy server. The client terminal may have a secondary communication interface for short range communications and a primary communication interface for long range communications with an access point for a wireless network. To conserve power, the client terminal may power down its primary communication interface without informing the access point. The access point assumes the primary communication interface is still active. Prior to shutting off its primary communication interface, the client terminal may assign an external proxy device to act as a proxy and monitor its data channel with the access point. The proxy device monitors the data channel(s) for the client terminal via a primary communication interface. If the proxy device detects a data message for the client terminal, it forwards the data message to the client terminal via a secondary communication interface.