Wireless Network Connection Management via Relay Path Disconnection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, especially ad hoc and mesh networks, devices often reach an upper limit of direct connections, preventing new devices from joining the network even if they are within range, due to limited connectivity.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves creating 'room for connection' by temporarily disconnecting existing devices, allowing new devices to join by adjusting the threshold of connectable devices and using algorithms to select devices for disconnection based on criteria such as connection history, communication quality, and usage as relay paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the upper limit of direct connections is enforced to maintain device performance and network stability, then device performance and network stability are preserved, but new devices cannot join the network when the connection limit is reached

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidnetwork stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively disconnecting devices that are using relay paths before the connection limit is reached. This allows new devices to join the network without waiting for connection failures, maintaining network adaptability while preserving stability through controlled connection management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a connection management mechanism that acts as an intermediary between existing connections and new connection requests. This mediator evaluates connection priorities, identifies relay path usage, and makes intelligent decisions about which connections to maintain or release, resolving the contradiction between network openness and stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing connections are maintained to preserve communication paths, then communication reliability is maintained, but new devices are prevented from joining when the connection limit is reached

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice join capabilityVSAvoidcommunication path disruption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connection management mechanism serves as an intermediary that evaluates each connection's importance to relay paths before disconnecting. It identifies which connections are critical for maintaining communication paths and preserves those connections while releasing non-critical ones, thereby enabling new device joins without causing communication path disruptions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from relay path analysis to dynamically adjust connection management decisions. By monitoring which connections are used for relay communication, the system provides feedback to the connection release logic, ensuring that connections essential for maintaining communication paths are not disconnected, thus preventing time loss from path disruptions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If all connection requests are accepted to maximize network coverage, then network coverage expands, but device performance degrades due to excessive connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidconnection management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by treating different connections differently based on their specific roles in the network. Connections used for relay paths are identified and given special status, while other connections are managed according to standard protocols. This localized differentiation simplifies connection management by creating clear categories rather than treating all connections uniformly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of connection priority by introducing a new attribute that marks connections used for relay paths. This parameter change enables the connection management logic to differentiate between critical and non-critical connections, simplifying the decision-making process for connection release while maintaining network coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3310122B1Information processing device, information processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3310122B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3310122B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3310122B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Connectivity to a network is improved. An information processing apparatus includes a wireless communication unit and a control unit. The wireless communication unit establishes connection with a device included in a network, in which a plurality of devices is mutually connected by one-by-one wireless communication, and exchanges information with the device. Meanwhile, the control unit controls the wireless communication unit so as to establish connection with a number of devices smaller than an upper limit number of devices that can be connected to the wireless communication unit directly and simultaneously.