Wireless Device Discovery Power Throttling via RSS Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile electronic communication devices consume excessive power during device discovery and pairing processes due to operating at maximum power levels, leading to depleted battery capacity and shorter run times.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a reduced power discoverability mode by throttling the wireless communication circuit's power based on Received Signal Strength (RSS) measurements during pairing, allowing devices to scan at lower power levels while periodically transmitting at maximum power to maintain connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the wireless communication circuit operates at maximum power levels during device discovery and pairing, then connectivity reliability is improved, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power adjustment by transitioning the wireless communication circuit between reduced power mode during discovery and maximum power mode during pairing. The system monitors pairing status and automatically adjusts power levels accordingly, making the power consumption characteristic dynamic rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic transmission at maximum power levels during the pairing process to ensure reliable connectivity establishment. After the pairing is successfully established, the system switches to reduced power level for ongoing communication, creating a periodic pattern of high and low power consumption that balances reliability and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the wireless communication circuit scans at reduced power levels, then power consumption is reduced, but discovery capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddevice discovery capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary device discovery at reduced power levels to identify potential communication partners. Once a device is detected and initial pairing protocols are initiated, the system transitions to maximum power mode to complete the pairing process, ensuring that discovery capability is maintained while minimizing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9913230B1Reduced power device discovery and corresponding devices and methods

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC

AI summary

An electronic device includes one or more processors and a wireless communication circuit. The one or more processors cause the wireless communication circuit to engage in a pairing procedure with at least one other electronic device to establish, during a pairing process, a peer-to-peer wireless communication link with the second electronic device. During pairing, the electronic device determines a minimum signal strength of wireless communication signals required to establish the peer-to-peer wireless communication link. Thereafter, the electronic device communicates at, and/or transmits a device discovery beacon having, a signal strength equal to or less than the minimum signal strength to conserve power.