Self-Organizing WPAN via Location Determination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for forming and managing wireless personal area networks (WPANs) are manual, time-consuming, inflexible, and power-intensive, requiring manual configuration and reconfiguration of device identities, which limits dynamic association and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a location determinator, comparator, and communication link that automatically determines device locations, compares them to WPAN criteria, and transmits identification information to form a WPAN, allowing devices within a predetermined distance or moving as a group to self-organize into a network, using RFID tags and various communication protocols like Bluetooth and 802.11.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual configuration and association of WPAN elements is used, then the WPAN can be formed with controlled device identities, but the process is time-consuming and lacks flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of WPAN configurationVSAvoidtime to form and reconfigure WPAN

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables devices to automatically determine their own locations using RFID tags and location determinators, compare locations with WPAN criteria using comparators, and self-organize into WPANs without manual intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual configuration while maintaining controlled association based on spatial criteria.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-establishes WPAN association criteria including predetermined distance thresholds and group movement patterns before devices need to form a network. Location determinators continuously monitor device positions in advance, and comparators pre-evaluate which devices meet the criteria, enabling rapid WPAN formation when devices enter the network area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual reconfiguration of WPAN elements is implemented, then device association can be controlled, but the system complexity and inflexibility increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic association capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of configuration process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration processes with automated electronic systems. Location determinators using RFID technology automatically track device positions, and comparators electronically evaluate WPAN criteria, substituting the manual entry and scanning processes with automated spatial analysis and decision-making algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces location determinators and comparators as intermediary components between physical device positions and logical WPAN association. These intermediaries automatically translate spatial information into association decisions, eliminating the need for direct manual intervention while maintaining controlled and flexible device grouping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a sub-master unit is used as temporary hub for association, then device identities can be distributed to WPAN elements, but power consumption increases and the system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of device associationVSAvoidpower consumption of WPAN devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the association management function from a dedicated sub-master unit and distributes it across all WPAN elements. Each device independently determines its location and evaluates WPAN criteria, eliminating the need for a permanent hub while maintaining ease of association through decentralized autonomous decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system makes each WPAN device multi-functional by equipping all elements with location determinators and comparator capabilities. This universal capability allows any device to participate in association decisions without requiring a specialized hub, reducing overall system complexity and power consumption while maintaining operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7630323B2Self-configuring wireless personal area network

Publication Date: 2009.12.08 SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Methods and apparatus are provided for forming a wireless personal area network (WPAN) from an array of intercommunicating personal area network (PAN) devices. The system comprises a location determinator configured to determine a location for each of the PAN devices, a comparator coupled to the determinator for comparing the location of each of the PAN devices with WPAN association criteria to choose a subset meeting the WPAN criteria at least in part, and a communication link coupled to the comparator to transmit identification data of the subset to some or all of the subset of PAN devices. When received, the information causes the subset to form the WPAN, which then intercommunicate substantially ignoring the non-WPAN devices. In a preferred embodiment, the comparator selects the WPAN from those of the plurality of PAN devices that are within a predetermined distance of each other and/or move as a group.