Wireless LAN Terminal Adaptive Scanning for Power and Search Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing wireless LAN terminals face challenges in efficiently searching for access points both indoors and outdoors, particularly due to the need to switch between active and passive scanning methods, which results in low operability and increased power consumption when outside the service area.
Innovation Solution
A wireless LAN terminal that incorporates a storage unit for profile information, a unit to set scanning channels based on scanning periods, and both passive and active scanning units, where the passive scanning unit detects beacon signals before the active scanning unit searches for the access point, allowing for adaptive scanning methods regardless of the location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the wireless LAN terminal uses passive scanning method outdoors, then power consumption is reduced, but the search time increases significantly when the terminal is far from the access point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically switches between passive scanning and active scanning methods based on the terminal's location and signal conditions. When the terminal is close to the access point, passive scanning is used to save power. When the terminal is far away or in unstable signal conditions, active scanning is triggered to reduce search time, thus adapting the scanning strategy to current conditions rather than using a fixed method
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the scanning parameters (switching between passive and active scanning modes) based on detected conditions such as signal stability and distance from access point. This allows the system to optimize the balance between power consumption and search time by adjusting the scanning approach according to environmental parameters
2Loss of time
If the wireless LAN terminal performs active scanning continuously, then the search speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic passive scanning as the default operation to maintain low power consumption, while triggering active scanning only when specific conditions are met (such as when the terminal detects it is far from the access point or when signal conditions are unstable). This periodic rather than continuous use of active scanning reduces overall power consumption while maintaining search capability when needed
3Adaptability or versatility
If the scanning method is changed according to indoor/outdoor location, then adaptability is improved, but operability decreases due to manual intervention required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the terminal to automatically determine its location conditions and select the appropriate scanning method without requiring manual user input. The terminal autonomously detects whether it is in stable signal conditions or far from the access point and switches between passive and active scanning accordingly, making the system self-adaptive rather than requiring user configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A method of searching for an access point using a wireless LAN terminal including a profile storage unit 305 that stores profile information including information of the channel of a predetermined access point, a scanning interval setting unit 311 that sets a scanning period, a passive scanning unit 315 that performs a passive scanning operation and detects a beacon signal, and an active scanning unit 317, wherein before said active scanning unit performs said active scanning operation at said set channel, the passive scanning unit 315 performs the passive scanning operation at the set channel for each scanning period and detects the beacon signal transmitted from the access point, and the active scanning unit 317 performs the active scanning operation at the set channel and searches for the access point after the beacon signal is detected.