Communication Device Wake-Up Pattern Configuration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network-based solutions for waking up communication devices are inflexible and do not adequately address the power consumption issues of always-on devices, as they rely on specific patterns and unicast addresses, which limit user experience and increase network traffic.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that allow communication devices to dynamically define and send wake-up patterns, using multicast addresses and contextual information, enabling flexible wake-up criteria and reducing network complexity by allowing multiple devices to be awakened with a single order, thereby optimizing power usage and user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If devices remain always powered-on to react immediately to events, then responsiveness to events is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponsiveness to eventsVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary actions by registering wake-up conditions and configuring wake-up patterns before entering sleep mode. The network interface card is pre-configured with specific patterns (including its own MAC address) that will trigger device wake-up. This allows the device to sleep while maintaining the capability to respond immediately to predefined events, thus reducing power consumption while preserving responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If specific wake-up patterns with unicast addresses are used, then device wake-up functionality is achieved, but network traffic increases and flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewake-up functionalityVSAvoidnetwork traffic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables a single wake-up pattern to serve multiple devices simultaneously by using multicast addresses. Instead of requiring separate unicast wake-up packets for each device, a single pattern transmitted to a multicast group can wake up all registered devices. This reduces network traffic complexity while maintaining reliable wake-up functionality across multiple devices.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple wake-up conditions and device identifiers are merged into a single wake-up pattern structure. The pattern combines the network interface card's MAC address with event-specific information, allowing one pattern to handle multiple wake-up scenarios. This consolidation reduces the number of separate patterns needed and simplifies network traffic management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wake-up patterns are registered for different conditions, then wake-up flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewake-up flexibilityVSAvoidpattern management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wake-up pattern structure is designed to be universal and configurable, allowing a single pattern template to handle multiple wake-up conditions through parameters like event type, source address, and payload. This configurability provides wake-up flexibility without requiring separate hard-coded patterns for each condition, thus avoiding increased device complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3371958B1Method for moving a communication device to a first mode, method for providing a service, and corresponding devices, system, computer readable program products and computer readable storage media
Publication Date: 2023.06.21 INTERDIGITAL MADISON PATENT HLDG
  • EP3371958B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3371958B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3371958B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method, to be performed in a communication device adapted to work in a first mode and a second mode, for moving the communication device to the first mode. The method for moving includes: - subscribing to at least one service available in a communication network, the service being determined according to at least one action to be performed; - upon receiving an order representative of a providing of a service, moving to the first mode and performing an action according to said provided service. The present disclosure further relates to the corresponding devices, system, computer readable program products and computer readable storage media.