Wireless Dock Proximity Wake Using Ultra-Low-Power Ranging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information handling systems face issues with constant power drain and unintentional waking from hibernate or shut down states due to reliance on wireless communication interfaces, leading to battery drain and 'hot bag' syndrome when attempting to establish wireless data communication links with wireless docks.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) and High Accuracy Distance Measurement (HADM) module powered separately from the main system power rail to detect proximity to a wireless dock, establishing a pre-boot wireless data communication link, and using a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) to wake the system from hibernate or shut down states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wireless communication interfaces are continuously powered to maintain connectivity with wireless docks, then connectivity and data transfer capability are improved, but power consumption increases causing battery drain and hot bag syndrome

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconnectivityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the wireless communication functionality into two separate interfaces: a low-power BTLE/HADM interface that remains active for proximity detection and docking establishment, and a full-featured WiFi interface that is only activated when needed for data transfer. This segmentation allows the system to maintain connectivity capability while minimizing power consumption by keeping only the essential low-power interface active during hibernate/shutdown states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The BTLE/HADM interface performs preliminary actions by detecting the presence of wireless docks and establishing pre-boot wireless data communication links before the main system powers on. This allows the system to prepare for connectivity needs in advance, enabling the WiFi interface to be activated only when actually required, thus avoiding continuous power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the system remains in hibernate or shutdown state to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to detect and connect to wireless docks is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddocking capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments power domains by providing separate power rails for the BTLE/HADM interface and the main system. This allows the low-power interface to remain operational during hibernate/shutdown states while the main system remains powered down, enabling docking detection without full system activation and thus maintaining adaptability with minimal power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The BTLE/HADM interface acts as an intermediary between the external wireless dock environment and the main system. It detects docks, establishes preliminary communication links, and triggers system wake-up only when appropriate, serving as a mediator that maintains docking capability while allowing the main system to remain in low-power states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If a separate power rail is used for BTLE/HADM interface to enable ultra-low power operation, then power consumption during hibernate/shutdown is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpower rail configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separate power rail for the BTLE/HADM interface serves multiple functions: it enables ultra-low power operation during hibernate/shutdown states, maintains proximity detection capability, establishes pre-boot wireless data communication links, and triggers system wake-up. This multi-functionality justifies the additional power rail complexity by consolidating several critical low-power requirements into a single interface design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12532368B2Ultra-low power accurate ranging and pc wake for wireless docking applications

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system includes a first wireless data communication interface powered by a first power rail, a processor powered by a second power rail, and a second wireless data communication interface powered by the second power rail. When the second power rail is powered off, the first power rail is powered on. The first wireless communication interface determines that the information handling system is within a predetermined distance from a wireless dock, and in response, establishes a first wireless data communication link with the wireless dock, and provides an indication to wake the processor and the second wireless data communication interface. In response to the indication, the information handling system powers on the second power rail, wakes the processor, and establishes a second wireless data communication link between the second wireless data communication interface and the wireless dock.