Wireless Scanning Message Transmission Rate Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, the transmission rate of scanning messages is often insufficient, leading to excessive overhead and congestion, especially in overlapping BSSs, which hampers the efficient scanning and connection establishment process.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where access points monitor and adjust the transmission rate of scanning messages by transmitting them at a minimum interval, using a timer to ensure sufficient scanning message frequency, and prioritizing message types such as beacon frames over probe responses and measurement pilot frames, with the option to include information on other BSSs to recommend better service providers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If scanning messages are transmitted frequently to improve scanning speed, then scanning efficiency is improved, but network overhead and congestion increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic beacon frame transmission at fixed intervals (e.g., every 100ms) rather than continuous transmission. This periodic action ensures that scanning messages are transmitted at sufficient frequency to maintain good scanning efficiency while avoiding excessive transmission that would cause network congestion and overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the transmission rate of scanning messages based on network conditions and terminal device scanning behavior. The system monitors scanning activity and adapts the beacon transmission rate accordingly, increasing transmission frequency when scanning demand is high and reducing it when demand is low, thereby optimizing both scanning efficiency and network overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of time

If scanning messages are transmitted at high frequency to reduce scanning time, then connection establishment is expedited, but channel congestion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning timeVSAvoidchannel congestion
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By using periodic beacon transmission at optimized intervals, the patent ensures that scanning messages are available frequently enough to reduce terminal device scanning time, while the periodic nature prevents continuous channel occupation that would lead to congestion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission parameter (time interval between beacons) to optimize the balance between scanning speed and channel utilization. By carefully selecting beacon intervals and using duty cycling, the system reduces scanning time without causing excessive channel congestion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If multiple types of scanning messages are transmitted to provide comprehensive network information, then network discovery capability is improved, but transmission overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork information completenessVSAvoidmessage transmission overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple types of network information into a single beacon frame structure. Instead of transmitting separate probe responses, measurement pilot frames, and beacon frames independently, the system consolidates these information types into unified beacon transmissions, reducing the total number of messages while maintaining information completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The beacon frame is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides basic network identification, transmission rate information, and recommendations for other BSSs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized messages, thereby reducing overall transmission overhead while maintaining comprehensive network information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2815600B1Scanning in wireless networks
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2815600B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2815600B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP2815600B1 patent drawingFigure 8~9

AI summary

A method, apparatus, and computer program for monitoring messages transmitted in a wireless network are disclosed. On the basis of the monitoring, it is determined that a transmission rate of messages is not sufficient upon detecting no message within a minimum transmission time interval and, upon determining that the transmission rate of messages is not sufficient, an access point of the wireless network is caused to transmit a scanning message.