Radio White Space Authorization via Master Device Mediation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Devices without the capability to determine their geographic location or access regulatory databases cannot utilize radio white space frequencies, limiting their ability to communicate efficiently due to lack of access to underutilized TV white spaces and other radio white spaces.

Innovation Solution

These devices can leverage another device with the necessary capabilities to obtain authorization for radio white space frequency usage by interacting with it to determine their location and access regulatory databases, allowing them to use TV white spaces or other radio white spaces under specific constraints, thereby bypassing the need for direct Internet access and location determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If devices directly access regulatory databases to obtain frequency authorization, then frequency usage compliance is ensured, but device complexity and operational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency usage complianceVSAvoiddevice capability requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a master device as an intermediary that performs database queries and location determination on behalf of slave devices. The master device obtains frequency authorization and shares it with slave devices, eliminating the need for each device to independently access databases or determine precise location, thus reducing individual device complexity while maintaining compliance through centralized mediation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If devices determine precise geographic location to access TV white spaces, then frequency authorization is obtained, but operational complexity and resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to underutilized spectrumVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The master device performs multiple functions including location determination, database querying, frequency authorization management, and coordination of slave devices. By consolidating these diverse functions in a single multi-functional device rather than requiring each device to perform them independently, the system enables spectrum access while simplifying operational requirements for individual devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If all devices have independent database access capability, then frequency authorization is readily obtained, but system resource consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency authorization speedVSAvoidsystem resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the database access functionality of multiple slave devices into a single master device. Instead of each device independently consuming resources to query databases, the master device performs a single query and shares the results with all slave devices, thereby maintaining rapid frequency authorization while significantly reducing overall system resource consumption and energy usage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2862381B1White space utilization
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP2862381B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2862381B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2862381B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The concepts relate to broadcasting white space utilization. One example can interact with a wireless device (106, 404, 704) that is configured to obtain authorization to use a set of radio white space frequencies in accordance with one or more constraints (902). The example can obtain an individual radio white space frequency and associated individual constraints. This example can also utilize the individual radio white space frequency for network access independent from the wireless device (106, 404, 704) that is configured to obtain the authorization.