Radio Communication Device Slave Unit Discovery Without Master Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless LAN systems standardized by IEEE 802.11, slave units do not respond to probe requests from new radio communication devices, leading to increased time and load for searching and connecting with desired slave units, as existing methods require connection with a master unit to detect slave units.

Innovation Solution

A radio communication device can find and connect with a slave unit without establishing a connection with a master unit by sending probe requests and receiving probe responses directly from slave units, using beacon signals to determine frequency usage and sending probe request packets with information about its communication function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a radio communication device connects to a master unit to detect slave units, then the slave unit can be found through the master unit, but the time and load for searching and connecting with desired slave units increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslave unit detection reliabilityVSAvoidtime for searching and connecting with slave unit
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the probe response sending function from the master unit and assigns it to the slave unit itself. Slave units independently send probe responses when receiving probe requests, eliminating the need for master unit involvement in the detection process and reducing search time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Slave units perform self-detection by automatically sending probe responses when receiving probe requests from new radio communication devices. This self-service mechanism allows slave units to be discovered without requiring master unit mediation, thereby reducing the time and load for finding desired slave units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a radio communication device connects to a master unit to detect slave units, then the slave unit can be found through the master unit, but the load of the radio communication device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslave unit detection reliabilityVSAvoidload of radio communication device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the detection function from the master unit and distributes it to individual slave units. Each slave unit independently handles probe requests and sends probe responses, reducing the processing load on the radio communication device compared to going through master unit connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Slave units independently handle detection operations by sending probe responses when receiving probe requests. This self-service approach eliminates the need for master unit mediation, reducing the overall system load and simplifying the detection process for radio communication devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If a radio communication device connects to multiple master units to search for desired slave unit, then the desired slave unit can be found, but the time necessary for searching increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to find desired slave unitVSAvoidtime necessary for searching
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the probe response function from master units and assigns it to slave units. This allows direct detection of slave units across different master units without requiring connections to multiple master units, reducing search time while maintaining the ability to find desired slave units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces probe responses as intermediary signals sent directly by slave units to radio communication devices. These probe responses act as mediators that enable direct discovery of slave units without requiring intermediate master unit connections, thereby reducing search time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2323431B1Radio communication system, method and program for finding a slave unit without making a connection to the master
Publication Date: 2014.12.17 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP2323431B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2323431B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2323431B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a radio communication system including a first radio communication device, and a second radio communication device that communicates with a radio communication device operating as a master unit and being connected, wherein the second radio communication device includes a communication unit that communicates with the radio communication device being connected, and a control unit that controls the communication unit to send a response packet to the first radio communication device when a response request packet broadcasted from the first radio communication device is received by the communication unit.