Wi-Fi Aware Cluster Discovery Using BLE Activation and USD

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Wi-Fi aware communication methods do not effectively manage wireless channel and time resources in clusters, leading to inefficiencies in device discovery and data exchange.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transmitting Bluetooth low energy (BLE) advertisements to activate Wi-Fi aware modules, determining device types, and performing discovery procedures based on the type of the electronic device and the intended cluster, allowing for enhanced wireless channel and time resource management through legacy and advanced Wi-Fi aware functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If legacy Wi-Fi aware functions are used for device discovery, then compatibility with existing devices is maintained, but wireless channel and time resource utilization efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments Wi-Fi aware devices into two types: first type devices that perform only legacy functions (transmitting discovery beacons, sync beacons, and SDFs), and second type devices that perform both legacy and advanced functions (including USD). This segmentation allows the system to maintain compatibility through first type devices while improving resource utilization through second type devices that can operate without strict synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation where second type Wi-Fi aware devices can perform unsynchronized service discovery (USD) outside of synchronized discovery windows. This dynamic approach allows devices to transmit and discover services at different times rather than being constrained to fixed time slots, thereby improving channel and time resource utilization efficiency while maintaining backward compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If synchronized discovery procedures are used, then device coordination is simplified, but wireless channel resources are not efficiently utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice coordinationVSAvoidchannel resource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation where second type Wi-Fi aware devices can perform unsynchronized service discovery (USD) outside of synchronized discovery windows. This dynamic approach allows devices to transmit and discover services at different times rather than being constrained to fixed time slots, thereby improving channel and time resource utilization efficiency while maintaining backward compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Second type devices perform preliminary actions by transmitting service information through USD before formal discovery procedures. This allows service availability to be announced in advance, reducing the need for frequent synchronized discovery transmissions and thereby improving overall resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If all devices perform advanced Wi-Fi aware functions, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but compatibility with legacy devices is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidcompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments Wi-Fi aware devices into two types: first type devices that perform only legacy functions (transmitting discovery beacons, sync beacons, and SDFs), and second type devices that perform both legacy and advanced functions (including USD). This segmentation allows the system to maintain compatibility through first type devices while improving resource utilization through second type devices that can operate without strict synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Second type Wi-Fi aware devices are designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both legacy synchronized discovery functions and advanced unsynchronized service discovery functions. This universality allows them to interact with both first type legacy devices and other second type advanced devices, thereby maintaining system-wide compatibility while enabling improved resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4672824A1Method and device for performing wi-fi aware communication in cluster

Publication Date: 2025.12.31 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

An operation method of an electronic device performing Wi-Fi Aware communication, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, may comprise the operations of: transmitting a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertisement message and activating a Wi-Fi Aware module of the electronic device; checking whether the electronic device is a Wi-Fi Aware device of a first type or a Wi-Fi Aware device of a second type; checking the type of a cluster the electronic device intends to join; and performing a discovery procedure on the basis of the type of the electronic device and the type of the cluster.