Wireless Access Point Selection Using Power Status

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless networks in ad-hoc mode often disconnect due to power shortages, as existing methods for determining access points do not consider the power supply status of devices, leading to instability in network maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A method where wireless communications devices exchange intent values and power supply status information to determine and update the access point, prioritizing devices with stable AC power to ensure continuous network operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If battery-powered wireless communications devices are designated as access points, then network setup flexibility is improved, but network stability deteriorates due to power shortages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork setup flexibilityVSAvoidnetwork stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the selection parameter for access point designation from purely topological criteria to include power supply status. Devices exchange power supply information (AC-powered vs. battery-powered) and use this parameter to determine access point candidacy, prioritizing AC-powered devices to ensure network stability while maintaining setup flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where wireless communications devices continuously exchange power supply status information with each other. This feedback loop allows the network to dynamically adjust access point designation based on current power availability, preventing network disconnections when battery-powered devices are selected as access points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If ad-hoc mode communications are used between wireless devices, then direct communication capability is improved, but network reliability worsens due to lack of access point power management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect communication capabilityVSAvoidnetwork reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the access point selection criteria into multiple independent factors: power supply status, communication capability, and device intent. By evaluating each factor separately and combining them, the system achieves both direct communication capability and network reliability, as AC-powered devices with strong communication capabilities are preferentially selected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the access point designation dynamic rather than static. Devices can change their power supply status (e.g., plugging into AC power), and the network re-evaluates access point candidacy based on updated information. This dynamic adjustment ensures the network maintains reliability while preserving direct communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If group owner negotiation is performed without considering power supply status, then negotiation simplicity is improved, but network disconnection risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenegotiation simplicityVSAvoidnetwork disconnection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary exchange of power supply status information during the group owner negotiation process, before the final access point designation is made. This preliminary action allows devices to assess power availability early in the negotiation, reducing the risk of network disconnection while adding minimal complexity to the overall process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8824437B2Wireless communications device, electronic apparatus, and methods for determining and updating access point

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A wireless communications device includes an intent value storage configured to store therein an intent value indicating a level of intention to serve as an access point specified based on a certain criterion; a power supply status information storage configured to store therein a piece of power supply status information indicating whether power is supplied to the wireless communications device from an alternating-current power supply; and an access point determination unit configured to determine, between the wireless communications device and another wireless communications device forming the wireless network, one of the wireless communications devices as the access point. The determination unit is configured to acquire the intent value and the piece of power supply status information of the another wireless communications device, and determine the access point based on both of the intent values and both of the pieces of power supply status information.