Relay Device Reference Signal Transmission for Mobile Terminal Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Relay devices operating in power save mode do not transmit radio signals, making it difficult for mobile terminals to determine the appropriate relay device for communication between a base station and the mobile terminal.

Innovation Solution

A communication system where mobile terminals receive reference signals from relay devices, determine the suitable relay device based on these signals, and transmit information to the base station to instruct the relay device to shift from power save mode to active mode if necessary, enabling effective communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If relay devices operate in power save mode to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but mobile terminals cannot receive radio signals from these relay devices and thus cannot determine the appropriate relay device for communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption of relay deviceVSAvoidreference signal transmission capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Relay devices transmit reference signals periodically at predetermined intervals even when operating in power save mode. This periodic transmission allows mobile terminals to detect and determine the appropriate relay device while the relay device maintains low power consumption by remaining inactive between transmission intervals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Relay devices transmit reference signals in advance during power save mode before being activated for full communication. This preliminary action enables mobile terminals to identify and select the appropriate relay device beforehand, ensuring seamless communication when the relay device transitions to active mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If relay devices transmit reference signals continuously to enable mobile terminal determination, then relay device selection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelay device determination accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption of relay device

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous transmission, reference signals are transmitted periodically at predetermined intervals. This approach maintains sufficient determination accuracy for mobile terminals while dramatically reducing power consumption compared to continuous transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The relay device performs only the minimal necessary action (periodic reference signal transmission) required for mobile terminal determination, rather than full continuous operation. This partial action is sufficient for the determination function while avoiding excessive power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9191096B2Communication system, communication control method, mobile terminal, and relay device

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A communication system is configured that includes a mobile terminal, one or more relay devices, and a base station for communicating with the mobile terminal via any of the one or more relay devices, where the mobile terminal includes a reception unit for receiving a reference signal transmitted from the one or more relay devices, a determination unit for determining a relay device to be used for communication with the base station based on the reference signal received by the reception unit from the one or more relay devices, and a transmission unit for transmitting to the base station information indicating the relay device determined by the determination unit.