Station Device Same Network Response Frame Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless LAN systems, station devices cannot determine whether a received CTS frame is from a device belonging to the same network, as it lacks information about the transmitting station address, leading to incorrect NAV settings and potential interference or wasted time.

Innovation Solution

A station device with a communication unit to receive and analyze response frames, and a control unit to determine if the frame is from a same network device based on frame information, allowing for accurate NAV setting and transmission management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the station device uses conventional NAV setting method based on received frames, then the NAV setting can be performed automatically, but the station device cannot determine whether the response frame is from another device belonging to the same network, leading to incorrect NAV settings

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNAV setting accuracyVSAvoidtransmitting station address information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new frame type (Q-frame) as an intermediary carrier that conveys the transmitting station address information. This mediator frame allows the receiving station to identify whether the response frame comes from the same network without modifying the original CTS frame structure, thus resolving the information loss problem while maintaining NAV setting reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the transmitting station include its address information in advance within the response frame (Q-frame) before the receiving station needs to make the network determination. This advance provision of information enables the receiving station to accurately identify the network source and set NAV accordingly, preventing incorrect NAV settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the station device cannot determine the network source of response frames, then the device structure remains simple, but unnecessary interference occurs and waiting time is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidwaiting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having the receiving station use the transmitting station address information from the Q-frame to make an informed decision about NAV setting. This feedback mechanism allows the station to accurately determine whether to set NAV based on the response frame, thereby preventing unnecessary interference and wasted waiting time while maintaining simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by selectively including only the necessary transmitting station address information in the Q-frame rather than transmitting all possible frame information. This partial inclusion provides just enough information for the receiving station to determine network source and make appropriate NAV settings, improving communication efficiency without excessive data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If the response frame includes transmitting station address information, then the station device can accurately determine network source, but the frame structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork source identification accuracyVSAvoidframe structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frame structure by introducing a separate Q-frame component that carries the transmitting station address information. This segmentation allows the receiving station to extract network source identification information from a dedicated section without complicating the entire frame structure, thus achieving accurate network source determination while maintaining frame simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by designing the Q-frame to serve multiple functions: it carries transmitting station address information for network identification, maintains compatibility with existing wireless communication protocols, and can be integrated into various response frame scenarios. This multi-functionality achieves accurate network source identification without proportionally increasing frame structure complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3780895B1Station device, wireless control method and program
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3780895B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3780895B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3780895B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Object] To enable the station device to determine whether or not a response frame is a signal transmitted from another device belonging to the same network as the station device. [Solution] Provided is a station device including: a communication unit configured to receive a response frame not including information indicating a transmission source; and a control unit configured to determine whether or not the response frame is a frame transmitted from another device belonging to a same network as the station device, on the basis of information regarding the response frame.