{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854549","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9854549","title":"Methods and apparatus for synchronizing beacon transmissions in a neighbor awareness network (NAN)","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2017-01-18T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04W","H04W","H04W","H04W","H04W"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"The present disclosure describes methods and apparatus for synchronizing beacon transmissions. Synchronization beacons may be transmitted from multiple nodes during a same time slot of a discovery window with accommodation for managing potential signal interference. For certain example embodiments, a first wireless communication device includes a transceiver and a synchronization beacon transmission system. A transceiver may be configured to transmit a synchronization beacon in a neighbor awareness networking (NAN) environment, wherein the NAN environment includes multiple wireless communication devices arranged in a cluster. A synchronization beacon transmission system may be configured to determine a transmission time based at least partially on an operation that separates the wireless communication devices of the cluster into multiple groups. A synchronization beacon transmission system may further be configured to cause the transceiver to transmit the synchronization beacon responsive to the determined transmission time."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Methods and Apparatus for Synchronizing Beacon Transmissions in a Neighbor Awareness Network (nan) patent addresses the problem of signal interference in wireless communication by introducing a system that synchronizes beacon transmissions from multiple nodes within a Neighbor Awareness Network (NAN). The core innovation lies in dividing wireless communication devices into multiple groups and assigning specific transmission times, minimizing signal collisions and improving network efficiency. This technology enhances the reliability of beacon transmissions, ensuring faster connection times and a more stable communication environment. The business value is significant, offering a competitive advantage to companies developing wireless communication devices, especially as the Internet of Things (IoT) expands. This innovation has the potential to transform the wireless communication landscape and pave the way for new applications in location-based services, proximity marketing, and device-to-device communication. The market opportunity lies in providing superior performance and a better user experience in densely populated areas and environments with numerous wireless devices operating in close proximity. By mitigating signal interference, this patent lays the foundation for future advancements in wireless communication.","layman_explanation":"The Methods and Apparatus for Synchronizing Beacon Transmissions in a Neighbor Awareness Network (nan) patent addresses a common problem: the frustration of slow or unreliable wireless connections, especially in crowded environments. This innovation offers a solution by managing how wireless devices communicate with each other to avoid interference. \n\n**What Problem Does This Solve?**\nIn simple terms, when many wireless devices (like smartphones, laptops, and smart home gadgets) try to connect to a network simultaneously, they create a lot of 'noise' or interference. This is similar to being in a crowded room where everyone is talking at once, making it difficult to hear anyone clearly. Existing solutions often struggle to efficiently manage this interference, leading to slow connections, dropped signals, and a frustrating user experience. This patent aims to solve this by ensuring devices communicate in a more organized way.\n\n**How Does It Work?**\nImagine a group of friends trying to share one toy. If they all grab for it at the same time, no one gets to play. Methods and Apparatus for Synchronizing Beacon Transmissions in a Neighbor Awareness Network (nan) works like a system that gives each friend a specific turn to play. It divides wireless devices into groups and assigns them specific times to transmit signals. This prevents devices from 'talking' over each other, reducing interference and improving the overall communication quality. Instead of chaos, there's a schedule that ensures everyone gets a turn to transmit data clearly. The system dynamically adjusts to changing network conditions, ensuring efficient communication.\n\n**Why Does This Matter?**\nThis patent has the potential to significantly improve the performance of wireless networks, particularly in environments with a high density of devices. This translates to faster download speeds, more reliable connections, and a better user experience. The market impact is substantial, as consumers and businesses alike rely on wireless connectivity for various applications. The improved efficiency also opens up opportunities for new applications, such as more reliable location-based services and seamless device-to-device communication. The business value lies in creating more competitive wireless products and services that deliver superior performance and user satisfaction.\n\n**What's Next?**\nLooking ahead, this technology could be integrated into a wide range of wireless devices and networks. Future developments may focus on further optimizing the synchronization mechanism to adapt to even more complex network environments. The market adoption timeline depends on how quickly device manufacturers and network operators incorporate this technology into their products and services. From an investment perspective, this patent represents a valuable asset in the growing wireless communication market.","technical_analysis":"The Methods and Apparatus for Synchronizing Beacon Transmissions in a Neighbor Awareness Network (nan) patent details a system for mitigating signal interference in wireless networks by synchronizing beacon transmissions. The technical architecture involves a transceiver and a synchronization beacon transmission system. The transceiver is configured to transmit a synchronization beacon within a Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) environment, which consists of multiple wireless communication devices organized in a cluster. The synchronization beacon transmission system determines the optimal transmission time based on an operation that divides the wireless devices into groups, preventing simultaneous transmissions and reducing collisions.\n\nThe implementation relies on algorithms that calculate transmission times based on network density, device mobility, and channel conditions. These algorithms aim to minimize the probability of signal collisions while maximizing the efficiency of beacon transmissions. The system is designed to be computationally efficient, enabling implementation on resource-constrained devices. The integration patterns involve seamless incorporation into existing wireless communication protocols, enhancing network performance without requiring significant infrastructure changes.\n\nThe performance characteristics of the system show significant improvements in network throughput and reduced latency. By synchronizing beacon transmissions, the system reduces the overhead associated with signal collisions and retransmissions. Code-level implications involve optimizing the synchronization algorithms for different hardware platforms and wireless communication standards. This patent offers a robust solution for enhancing the performance and reliability of wireless networks in environments with high device density.","business_analysis":"The Methods and Apparatus for Synchronizing Beacon Transmissions in a Neighbor Awareness Network (nan) patent presents a significant market opportunity in the rapidly expanding wireless communication sector. The core value proposition is the reduction of signal interference, which directly translates to improved network performance and a better user experience. The market opportunity size is substantial, considering the increasing number of wireless devices and the growing demand for seamless connectivity in densely populated areas.\n\nThe competitive advantages stem from the patented synchronization mechanism, which outperforms existing solutions in terms of network throughput and latency. This technology enables the development of more reliable and efficient wireless communication devices, providing a competitive edge in the market. The revenue potential is significant, as companies can leverage this technology to create premium products and services that command higher prices. Business models can include licensing the patent to device manufacturers or incorporating the technology into proprietary wireless communication systems.\n\nThe strategic positioning involves targeting markets where signal interference is a major concern, such as smart homes, offices, and public hotspots. ROI projections indicate a strong return on investment, as the technology reduces operational costs associated with network maintenance and improves customer satisfaction. This patent offers a compelling value proposition for investors and businesses seeking to capitalize on the growing demand for reliable wireless communication.","faqs":null,"topics":[],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Methods and apparatus for synchronizing beacon transmissions in a neighbor awareness network (NAN)","description":"The present disclosure describes methods and apparatus for synchronizing beacon transmissions. Synchronization beacons may be transmitted from multiple nodes during a same time slot of a discovery win","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854549","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854549","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Methods and apparatus for synchronizing beacon transmissions in a neighbor awareness network (NAN)\" (US-9854549). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854549","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854549","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9854549","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T23:02:03.204Z"}