Wireless Discovery Protocol for Low Power Device Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication protocols face challenges in achieving low power consumption while maintaining low latency, especially in mobile devices with varying network topologies and device functionalities, as they require efficient discovery and synchronization mechanisms that conserve battery life without compromising communication efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a discovery protocol where Class A devices intermittently broadcast packets with authentication information, allowing Class B devices to periodically listen for these broadcasts and initiate communication only when necessary, thereby reducing power consumption and latency. This protocol adjusts the timing of broadcasts and listening periods to optimize energy usage and communication efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If devices use duty-cycle based communication to conserve battery power, then energy consumption is reduced, but latency in establishing communication increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoidcommunication establishment latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The protocol performs preliminary actions by having devices exchange capability information and establish communication parameters during initial discovery, so that subsequent communications can proceed more efficiently without repeated synchronization delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protocol dynamically adjusts the duty cycle parameters based on device capabilities and communication requirements, allowing flexible optimization between power consumption and latency for different device pairs rather than using fixed duty cycle values

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If devices use sophisticated radio protocols to maximize throughput, then communication efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication throughputVSAvoidradio operating power

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protocol changes key parameters such as duty cycle values, transmission power levels, and modulation schemes based on communication conditions and device capabilities, allowing the system to optimize the trade-off between throughput and power consumption dynamically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of time

If devices use time synchronization protocols to coordinate wake-up times, then discovery latency is reduced, but protocol complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscovery latencyVSAvoidsynchronization protocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protocol uses an intermediary approach where one device acts as a reference for timing coordination, simplifying the synchronization mechanism compared to fully distributed synchronization while still achieving low discovery latency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9414300B2Establishment of wireless communications

Publication Date: 2016.08.09 SECUREALL CORP

AI summary

Wireless communication protocols are provided for wireless device discovery, preferably (but not necessarily) with low power consumption. Some protocols are suitable for wireless locks and keys (e.g. smart cards and card readers).