Wake-Up Frame Signaling for Low-Power Communication Readiness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication devices and systems utilizing multiple communication schemes face challenges in reducing power consumption and enhancing functionality, particularly in transitioning between different communication modes efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A transmission device and reception device that utilize a predetermined frame format with specific fields indicating the validity of a wake-up process and device identification, allowing controlled transitions between standby and active communication modes, thereby reducing processing load and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the communication device operates in standby mode to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the device cannot receive or process communication signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication readiness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication device is divided into two independent communication functions: a first communication function that operates in standby mode with low power consumption, and a second communication function that operates in active mode for full communication capability. This segmentation allows the device to maintain communication readiness through the first function while reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first communication function acts as an intermediary that receives wake-up signals and triggers the activation of the second communication function. This intermediary layer enables the system to transition from standby to active mode efficiently without requiring the second communication function to remain continuously active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the device remains in active mode to ensure immediate communication capability, then communication readiness is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication readinessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first communication function periodically monitors for wake-up signals while the second communication function remains inactive. This periodic operation allows the device to maintain communication readiness without continuous operation of the full communication system, thereby reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If the frame format includes wake-up control fields, then wake-up process control is improved, but frame structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewake-up process controlVSAvoidframe structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wake-up control information is extracted into separate, dedicated fields (first field for wake-up validity, second field for device identification) within the frame structure. This extraction allows for clear, standardized wake-up control mechanisms without complicating the overall frame format, as the additional fields have well-defined, simple functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12476738B2Transmission device, reception device, transmission method, and reception method

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

AI summary

A transmission device includes a generator that generates a frame in a predetermined frame format and a communicator that transmits the frame generated by the generator. The predetermined frame format includes a first field indicating whether information related to a wake-up process performed by a device that received a frame in the predetermined frame format is valid or not. When the first field indicates that the information is valid, the predetermined frame format further includes a second field indicating identification information identifying the device.