White Space Access Point Movement Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless devices using white spaces in the radio spectrum face challenges in maintaining regulatory compliance and efficient operation, particularly when moving beyond a threshold distance from a known location, as they need to continuously update their location awareness to avoid interference and comply with frequency allocation regulations.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of local sensors on wireless devices to detect movement and activate location detection functionality only when a threshold distance is reached, allowing for the selection of new wireless channels and maintaining regulatory compliance without constant external location updates, thereby reducing power consumption and enabling operation as a mobile white space access point.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If continuous external location updates are used to maintain regulatory compliance, then location accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from continuous location updates to periodic updates triggered by movement detection. Local sensors monitor device displacement, and only when a threshold distance is exceeded does the system activate external location detection, creating a periodic rather than continuous operation mode that reduces power consumption while maintaining compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses its own local sensors to monitor its movement and determine when location updates are necessary. This self-monitoring capability allows the device to autonomously decide when to activate external location detection, eliminating the need for continuous external updates and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If local sensors are used to detect movement, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides location monitoring into two independent components: local movement detection using simple sensors, and external location verification using remote sources. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with local sensors providing low-power movement detection and external sources providing authoritative location data only when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Local sensors act as intermediaries between the device and external location detection systems. Rather than continuously communicating with external location services, the sensors locally monitor movement and only trigger external location updates when necessary, reducing the burden on external systems and lowering power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If location detection functionality remains inactive to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but regulatory compliance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidregulatory compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary movement monitoring using local sensors before activating external location detection. This preliminary action allows the device to maintain an inactive location detection functionality for extended periods while still being able to detect when movement exceeds the threshold, ensuring regulatory compliance is maintained without continuous power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where local sensor data about device movement continuously monitors the condition, and when the threshold is exceeded, this feedback triggers the activation of external location detection to verify compliance. This closed-loop feedback ensures regulatory requirements are met while minimizing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach ensures regulatory compliance and efficient wireless connectivity by allowing wireless devices to operate as mobile white space access points, reducing power consumption and eliminating the need for continuous external location updates, while maintaining connectivity even in areas without remote sensor availability.

Implementation Method 1

movement of a device is detected utilizing local sensors on the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSensor detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP3235281B1Wireless connectivity using white spaces
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3235281B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3235281B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3235281B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Techniques for wireless connectivity using white spaces (e.g., television (TV) white spaces) are described. In at least some embodiments, movement of a device operating as a white space access point is monitored by local sensors within the device. Movement data that is gathered by the local sensors is used to determine an upper bound of distance travelled. When the upper bound reaches a threshold distance, various actions can be performed relating to the data transmission, such as to cease transmission or to utilize different portions of the radio spectrum.