Relay Unit Logical Information Synchronization for Wireless Resumption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network relay communication systems face delays in resuming wireless communication when a relay unit moves, due to discrepancies in cell information recognized by communication devices and network management apparatuses, especially when using different wireless communication media.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus with a management unit and an update unit that manages and updates logical connection information between communication devices, relay units, and base stations, ensuring synchronized access and reducing the time required for communication resumption by sharing and updating logical connection information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a relay unit moves between different wireless communication media (e.g., from base station to communication device), then communication coverage is expanded, but discrepancies in cell information recognition occur between the communication device and network management apparatus, causing delays in resuming communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication coverage areaVSAvoidcommunication resumption time

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network management apparatus proactively updates the communication device's cell information and logical connection data before the relay unit actually moves to a new base station. By performing this update in advance based on predicted movement, the system prevents information discrepancies from occurring, thereby eliminating communication resumption delays while maintaining expanded coverage through relay mobility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the network management apparatus waits for the communication device to notify it of cell information changes, then information accuracy is maintained, but communication resumption is delayed due to negotiation procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell information accuracyVSAvoidcommunication resumption time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of waiting for the communication device to notify the network management apparatus of cell changes, the system performs preliminary updates by predicting the relay unit's movement and proactively updating the communication device's information beforehand. This eliminates the need for post-movement negotiation procedures while maintaining information accuracy through predictive updates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The conventional approach has the communication device notify the network management apparatus of cell changes. This invention inverts the approach by having the network management apparatus proactively notify the communication device of upcoming cell changes based on relay unit movement predictions, thereby preventing information discrepancies before they occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11917524B2Communication apparatus, communication method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 CANON KK

AI summary

A communication apparatus includes a management unit configured to manage communication between a communication device and a base station via a relay unit, and an update unit configured to, based on an update of first logical information used for access between the relay unit and the base station, update second logical information used for access between the communication device connected to the relay unit, and the base station.