Dual-mode electronic device

Abstract

To solve a problem in which there is a need for an improved system that reduces reliance on a long distance communication technology in an electronic device.SOLUTION: An electronic device can communicate using both long-range and short-range wireless communication techniques. A transceiver of the electronic device switches its operating mode on the basis of a power saving mode of the long range wireless communication technology. In particular, the electronic device switches between short range mode and long range mode on the basis of the power saving mode of the long range wireless communication technology.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronic devices having a transceiver, and more particularly to electronic devices capable of communicating using different wireless technologies.

Background Art

[0002] Short-range wireless communication technologies such as ZigBee, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, visible light communication, etc. are well known and are used in electronic devices. However, with the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), interest in long-range wireless communication technologies has been increasing in the field. Various technologies such as NarrowBand-IoT and LTE expansion for Machine-Type Communication (LTE-eMTC) have been developed and optimized for small data transmission and wide-area low-power communication desirable for IoT devices.

[0003] With the long-range communication technologies of interest, a remote or centrally managed server can communicate directly with IoT devices. This can enable IoT devices to be located in remote locations or multiple IoT devices to be updated simultaneously.

[0004] However, important issues faced by the introduction of long-range communication technologies in IoT devices are the latency, data consumption, and cost inherent in long-range communication. The latency of long-range communication limits the capabilities of IoT devices, for example, restricting real-time updates of IoT devices. The data consumption and / or cost of long-range communication effectively limits the amount of data that can be sent to or received from IoT devices.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an improved system that reduces the dependence on long-distance communication technology in electronic devices.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention is defined by the claims.

[0007] According to an example of one aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided that includes a transceiver, a detection module, and a switching unit. The transceiver is configured to be switchable between a long-distance mode in which the transceiver communicates with at least one external device using long-distance wireless communication technology and a short-distance mode in which the transceiver communicates with at least one neighboring electronic device using short-distance wireless communication technology. The detection module is configured to determine a power-saving mode of the long-distance wireless communication technology. The switching unit is configured to switch the transceiver between the short-distance mode and the long-distance mode based on the determined power-saving mode of the long-distance wireless communication technology.

[0008] The power-saving mode of the long-distance communication technology is used to define an operating mode of the transceiver that can communicate using the long-distance communication technology. In particular, the operating mode of the transceiver may be switched based on one or more characteristics of the power-saving mode.

[0009] The transceiver is switchable between the short-distance mode and the long-distance mode (i.e., between operating modes), and the switching is performed by the switching unit based on the power-saving mode.

[0010] Switching the operating mode of the transceiver based on the power-saving mode reduces the idle time of the transceiver, for example, to avoid periods when the transceiver does not communicate with any device. Further, this enables the transceiver to communicate using two separate wireless communication technologies and eliminates the need for a second dedicated transceiver.

[0011] Accordingly, an embodiment provides an electronic device operable on two different communication channels, one having a long range and the other having a short range. The selection of which communication channel to operate on depends on a power saving mode associated with the long range communication channel.

[0012] Various characteristics of the power saving mode may be used to define how switching is made for different advantages.

[0013] Preferably, the detection module is configured to detect a period during which the transceiver cannot communicate using the long range wireless communication technology due to the power saving mode, and the switching unit is configured to switch the transceiver to the short range mode during the duration of said period.

[0014] The power saving mode of the long range wireless communication technology may define at least one period during which the transceiver cannot communicate. For example, the power saving mode may identify a periodic period, or a predefined, timed period during which no long range communication is sent between the electronic device and an external device.

[0015] Switching the transceiver to the short range mode during such a period reduces the dead or idle time of the transceiver and maximizes the communication efficiency of the transceiver. Thus, when the transceiver cannot communicate using the long range communication technology (during the period defined by the power saving mode), the transceiver communicates using the short range communication technology. In this way, the transceiver can communicate using both the long range communication technology and the short range communication technology without significantly interrupting the communication function regardless of which methodology is used.

[0016] Preferably, the switching unit is configured to periodically switch the transceiver between the long range mode and the short range mode based on the power saving mode of the long range wireless communication technology.

[0017] The power saving mode may define a periodic interval at which the external device and the electronic device communicate with each other. Between these periodic intervals, the electronic device cannot communicate with the external device using long-range technology, so there are periodic periods during which the electronic device or transceiver does not use long-range wireless communication technology.

[0018] Embodiments propose switching the transceiver to the short-range mode during these periods, so that the transceiver can communicate periodically with both the external server and at least one neighboring electronic device, maximizing the efficiency of the transceiver's communication capabilities.

[0019] Therefore, the periodicity of the switching by the transceiver may be based on the power saving mode of the long-range wireless communication technology.

[0020] In at least one embodiment, the electronic device is configured to receive a signal from at least one neighboring electronic device when operating in the short-range mode, and the switching unit is configured to switch the transceiver from the short-range mode to the long-range mode in response to an override signal received from at least one neighboring electronic device.

[0021] Preferably, the override signal represents a request from at least one external device for communicating with the electronic device.

[0022] In this way, it is possible to send a message from the external server to the electronic device via at least one neighboring electronic device. Thereby, at least one neighboring electronic device can function as a bridge between the external server and the electronic device when the transceiver operates in the short-range mode.

[0023] In particular, the message may be a command or wake-up command from the external server to the electronic device for toggling the transceiver from the short-range mode to the long-range mode.

[0024] Such an embodiment ensures that the external server can communicate with the electronic device even when it is operating in the short - range mode. In this way, a power - saving mode for long - distance communication can be achieved without reducing the ability of the electronic device to communicate directly with the external device immediately.

[0025] Preferably, in response to entering the short - range mode, the electronic device is configured to broadcast a presence message to at least one neighboring electronic device. The electronic device may be configured to broadcast a leave message to at least one neighboring electronic device before ending the short - range mode.

[0026] Preferably, before ending the short - range mode, the electronic device is configured to nominate one or more of at least one neighboring electronic device of a network that functions as a buffer for data communicated using short - range wireless communication technology and targeted at the electronic device.

[0027] In this way, one or more neighboring devices can buffer information or data for the electronic device when the electronic device is not operating in the short - range mode. When the electronic device re - enters the short - range mode, one or more neighboring devices may send the buffered data to the electronic device. In this way, the electronic device does not inadvertently miss data, messages, or other information transmitted via the short - range channel when operating in the long - range mode. The presence message may function as a prompt for the buffered information to be transferred to the electronic device.

[0028] Preferably, when the transceiver of the electronic device is in the long-distance mode, the electronic device includes a clock synchronization unit configured to synchronize the internal clock of the electronic device with the clock of one of at least one external device.

[0029] In this way, the electronic device may be synchronized with the external device. This ensures that the timing defined by the power-saving mode (e.g., the periodicity or length of the sleep mode) is accurately monitored by the external device and the electronic device. This prevents, for example, the external device from mistakenly believing that the electronic device has switched to / from the long-distance mode (e.g., due to an unsynchronized schedule). Such a mistaken belief may lead to unnecessary attempts to communicate with the electronic device (because such communication is not received by the electronic device). Thus, the efficiency of the entire system is improved.

[0030] The electronic device and at least one neighboring electronic device may form a short-distance network when the electronic device is operating in the short-distance mode. Preferably, the short-distance network includes a mesh network, a point-to-point network, or a star network.

[0031] According to an example of another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a transceiver of an electronic device, the transceiver being configured to be switchable between a long-distance mode in which the transceiver communicates with at least one external device using a long-distance wireless communication technology and a short-distance mode in which the transceiver communicates with at least one neighboring electronic device using a short-distance wireless communication technology. The method includes determining a power-saving mode of the long-distance wireless communication technology and switching the transceiver between the short-distance mode and the long-distance mode based on the determined power-saving mode of the long-distance wireless communication technology.

[0032] The method may be adapted such that the step of determining the power saving mode includes the transceiver detecting a period during which it cannot communicate using the long-distance wireless communication technology due to the power saving mode, and the step of switching the transceiver includes switching the transceiver to the short-distance mode during the duration of said period.

[0033] Preferably, the step of switching the transceiver may include periodically switching the transceiver between the long-distance mode and the short-distance mode based on the power saving mode of the long-distance wireless communication technology.

[0034] The proposed method may further include receiving an override signal from at least one neighboring electronic device, and switching the transceiver from the short-distance mode to the long-distance mode in response to the override signal.

[0035] Some methods include synchronizing the internal clock of the electronic device with the clock of one of at least one external device when the transceiver is in the long-distance mode.

[0036] According to an example of another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program including code means for implementing any of the described methods above when executed on a computer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0037] Here, examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] According to the concept of the present invention, an electronic device capable of communicating using both long-distance wireless communication technology and short-distance wireless communication technology is proposed. The transceiver of the electronic device switches its operating mode based on the power-saving mode of the long-distance wireless communication technology.

[0039] The embodiment is at least partially based on the recognition that, in order to minimize cost and power consumption, the long-distance wireless communication technology often operates according to a power-saving mode. However, this significantly reduces the communication capabilities of the electronic device. The present invention proposes switching the operating mode of the transceiver between a long-distance mode and a short-distance mode so that the transceiver can continuously communicate in one of two modes (long-distance mode and short-distance mode). For example, when long-distance communication is unavailable due to the power-saving mode, the transceiver may be switched to the short-distance mode during long-range unavailability.

[0040] The exemplary embodiment may be used, for example, in an electronic device of a mesh, star or point-to-point network. In one example, the mesh, star or point-to-point network is an illumination network in which interconnected illumination devices (using short-distance technology) can also communicate using a cellular service (using long-distance technology).

[0041] FIG. 1 shows an overall communication network 1 including an electronic device 2, an external device 3 and a network 4.

[0042] The illustrated network 4 is a mesh network. However, network 4 may alternatively be any other suitable communication network operating according to other known short-distance-based network topologies such as a star, ring, daisy chain, or point-to-point network.

[0043] The electronic device 2 is configured to communicate with the external device 3 using long-distance wireless communication technologies such as NarrowBand-IoT and LTE expansion for Machine-Type Communication (LTE-eMTC) technology. Therefore, communication with the external device 3 may be via a long-distance wireless communication channel.

[0044] The electronic device 2 is also configured to communicate with at least one neighboring device 5 on the network 4 using short-distance wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, or visible light communication methods. When communicating with a device on the network 4, the electronic device may be regarded as a node of the network 4. Therefore, communication with the neighboring device 5 on the network 4 may be via a short-distance wireless communication channel.

[0045] The long-distance wireless communication technology / channel and the short-distance wireless location technology / channel operate on different basebands according to known concepts.

[0046] The electronic device 2 communicates using the transceiver 11. The transceiver is configured to be switchable between a long-distance wireless communication mode ("long-distance mode") and a short-distance wireless communication mode ("short-distance mode"). In the long-distance wireless communication mode, the electronic device 2 communicates with the outside using only long-distance wireless communication technology ("long-distance technology"). In the short-distance wireless communication mode, the electronic device communicates using only short-distance wireless communication technology ("short-distance technology").

[0047] In this way, the transceiver 11 of the electronic device 2 can be switched between a mode (long-distance mode) in which it can communicate with the external device 3 and a mode (short-distance mode) in which it can communicate with neighboring devices of the network 4. Preferably, the transceiver 11 cannot communicate with the network 4 and the external device 3 simultaneously. That is, the transceiver 11 may not be able to communicate using long-distance communication technology and short-distance communication technology simultaneously.

[0048] The electronic device 2 also includes a detection module 12 configured to determine the power-saving mode (characteristics) of the long-distance technology, and a switching unit 13 configured to switch the transceiver between the short-distance mode and the long-distance mode based on the determined power-saving mode.

[0049] To save power or cost, devices such as the external device 3 or the electronic device 2 that can communicate using long-distance technology can use various power-saving modes or technologies. The power-saving mode defines how or when communication using long-distance technology, which is intended to reduce the power or cost required for the operation of the long-distance technology, can be performed.

[0050] One example is discontinuous reception (DRX) technology in which the transceiver sends or monitors communication only at specified time intervals. In the exemplary technology, the specified time interval is at most 2.56 seconds.

[0051] Another example is extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) in which communication on a first long-distance channel (e.g., LTE-eMTC) is checked at a first time interval and communication on a second long-distance channel (such as NB-IoT) is checked at a second time interval. Typically, the first time interval is about 48 minutes and the second time interval is about 3 hours.

[0052] In yet another example, the transceiver 11 of the electronic device 2 may be operable in a sleep mode (alternative labels include sleep state or low power mode) in which it maintains attachment and registration to an external device but is in a state where communication with the external device 3 is not possible (a "non - communication state"). For example, the transceiver may keep the communication link with the external device open and remain registered to the network. The transceiver may enter the sleep mode, for example, in response to the elapse of a predetermined period without data communication over a long - distance channel. The transceiver may enter the sleep mode, i.e., a timed low - power mode, for a predetermined period (e.g., 1 hour, 1 day, or 1 week). Such a configuration is particularly important for ultra - low - power devices (such as a temperature sensor) that need to communicate only sporadically with a long - distance external device, for example, when a dangerous sensing value such as an overly high temperature is detected.

[0053] In other examples, the power - saving mode may limit the communication capabilities over a long - distance channel (e.g., limit to only 2G connection even when a 3G connection is available). This limitation may be, for example, periodic or for a predetermined period.

[0054] Thus, the power - saving mode may be a periodic power - saving mode (DRX or eDRX technology) or a dynamic power - saving mode (e.g., enter the sleep state in response to no communication occurring for a predetermined period).

[0055] In the case of DRX and eDRX technologies, the transceiver may enter the sleep mode (with respect to long - distance communication) during the time intervals between communications with the external device.

[0056] The detection module 12 may determine the power-saving mode (characteristics) based on a signal from the transceiver's scheduler, for example, a signal indicating that it will enter the sleep state. Alternatively, the detection module may obtain historic communication between an external device and the electronic device (e.g., indicating the periodicity of the sleep mode that identifies the power-saving mode), or metadata of the communication between the external device and the electronic device that may indicate the identity of the power-saving mode. In other embodiments, the detection module determines the power-saving mode based on the type of long-range wireless communication technology (e.g., limited to known power-saving modes of the wireless communication technology). In some examples, the electronic device 2 may store configuration parameters indicating a power-saving mode profile that is to be used, i.e., a power-saving mode that is compatible with the electronic device 2.

[0057] The present invention recognizes that the power-saving mode of long-range wireless communication technology limits the communication capabilities of the transceiver.

[0058] As an example, typical DRX technology results in the transceiver being unable to communicate during the intervals between communication monitoring and monitoring and / or communication issuing and issuing. This has an adverse effect on the latency of commands to the transceiver and thus to the electronic device.

[0059] The detection module 12 and / or the switching unit 13 may determine how unable the transceiver is to communicate using the long-range technology due to the power-saving mode. During the period when the transceiver is unable to communicate using the long-range technology, the transceiver is switched to the short-range mode. This improves the efficiency of the transceiver and enables the transceiver to communicate effectively on two different channels.

[0060] One embodiment proposes that during the periodic intervals defined by the power saving mode and the gaps between the intervals, the transceiver enters the short-range mode and communicates with network 4.

[0061] Another embodiment proposes that when the long-range wireless communication technology enters the time-limited low-power mode or the time-limited sleep mode, the transceiver switches to the short-range mode during the duration of the time-limited low-power mode.

[0062] Yet another embodiment proposes determining the period required by the transceiver of the electronic device to communicate a predetermined amount of data (based on the power saving mode), and periodically switching to the long-range mode for that period before returning to the short-range mode. This is particularly useful for low-power sensors where a specific amount of data may need to be transmitted at periodic intervals. The power saving mode may limit how the low-power sensor can communicate (e.g., limit the data transfer rate).

[0063] The switch from the long-range mode to the short-range mode may start a timer or countdown to return to the long-range mode. The length of the timer / countdown depends on the power saving mode of the long-range wireless communication technology. In particular, the length of the timer / countdown may be defined by the length of time during which the transceiver cannot communicate with an external device due to the power saving mode. When the timer / countdown elapses, the transceiver is returned to the long-range mode.

[0064] Thus, the switching unit 13 generally operates the transceiver 11 in the long-range mode and may switch the transceiver 11 to the short-range mode when communication in the long-range mode is restricted due to the power saving mode (detected by the detection module 12). The switching unit 13 returns the transceiver 11 to the long-range mode when communication in the long-range mode is no longer restricted according to the power saving mode.

[0065] Therefore, the power saving mode of the long - distance technology controls or defines the switching of the transceiver between the short - distance mode and the long - distance mode.

[0066] In certain embodiments where the power saving mode only permits periodic communication between the transceiver 11 and the external device 2, the power saving mode defines the periodicity of the switching between the short - distance mode and the long - distance mode.

[0067] By switching the transceiver 11 between the short - distance mode and the long - distance mode, the switching unit 13 can ensure that the electronic device 2 can continuously communicate with at least one other device including the external device 3 and the network 4. This essentially optimizes the use of the transceiver's wireless resources for communication while ensuring that the electronic device 2 communicates (e.g., with the external device 3) via the long - distance communication channel.

[0068] The embodiments also avoid the need to provide a transceiver for each type of communication technology.

[0069] Preferably, when the electronic device 2 is operating in the long - distance mode, the electronic device 2 is considered by the nodes of the network 4 to be operating in a sleep state. Similarly, when operating in the short - distance mode, the electronic device 2 is perceived by the external device 3 to be operating in a sleep state (e.g., according to the power saving mode).

[0070] FIG. 2 shows a method 20 for operating the transceiver of the above - described electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] The method 20 includes a step 21 of operating the transceiver in a long - distance wireless communication mode in which the transceiver communicates using long - distance communication technology.

[0072] The method 20 includes a step 22 of determining or detecting the power saving mode of the long - distance communication technology.

[0073] Step 22 may include, for example, determining a period during which communication using long - range technology is restricted due to the power - saving mode of the long - range technology. This may be, for example, determining the period between communications using long - range communication technology (indication of the power - saving mode), or the length of the upcoming sleep mode.

[0074] The method includes, in step 23, determining whether to place, maintain, or switch the transceiver to the short - range mode based on the power - saving mode. In the short - range mode, the transceiver operates using short - range wireless communication technology.

[0075] As an example, step 22 may include determining the period during which communication using long - range technology is restricted due to the power - saving mode of the long - range technology (i.e., the length of the sleep mode). Step 23 may include determining whether the transceiver is within that period. If the transceiver is within that period, the method proceeds to step 24; otherwise, the method returns to step 21.

[0076] As another example, the switch from the long - range mode to the short - range mode may be triggered by the transceiver entering a "non - communication state" or "sleep state" with respect to an external device. This switch may trigger a timer / count - down, the length of which depends on the power - saving mode. When the timer / count - down elapses, the transceiver may be switched to the long - range mode. Thus, step 23 may include determining whether the timer / count - down is in progress or has elapsed.

[0077] The method includes, in step 24, operating in the short - range mode in response to the determination in step 23 being affirmative.

[0078] Method 20 may further include step 25 of synchronizing the internal clock of the electronic device with the clock of the external device. This advantageously ensures that the switching between the long-distance mode and the short-distance mode is made in synchronization with the power-saving mode of the long-distance technology from the perspective of the external device.

[0079] As an example, the power-saving mode of the long-distance technology may permit communication only at intervals of 2.8 seconds. Synchronizing the internal clock of the electronic device with the internal clock of the external device reduces the likelihood that the 2.8-second intervals monitored by each device will drift apart (e.g., due to natural differences in clock speed).

[0080] FIG. 3 shows further steps for a method 30 of operating a transceiver of an electronic device. In particular, FIG. 3 shows procedures executed when entering and exiting the short-distance mode.

[0081] Step 31 is a step of entering the short-distance mode. Step 31 may include switching the transceiver from the long-distance mode to the short-distance mode.

[0082] Step 32 includes broadcasting a presence message from the transceiver to at least one neighboring electronic device. This advantageously indicates to other nodes of the network that the electronic device can communicate with neighboring devices on the network (using short-range wireless communication technology). Subsequently, the neighboring electronic devices can communicate with the electronic device.

[0083] Preferably, the presence message includes information regarding the duration for which the electronic device is expected to operate in the short - range mode. The expected duration is determined based on a power - saving mode (which may indicate, for example, a duration during which long - range communication is not possible). The provision of this information advantageously enables neighboring electronic devices to schedule, arrange, or determine when data such as device updates can be sent to the electronic device.

[0084] Step 23 includes determining whether to maintain or place the transceiver in the short - range mode. This may be performed using any of the methods described above, such as determining whether a particular period has elapsed.

[0085] Step 24 includes operating the transceiver in the short - range mode as described above, and is executed in response to step 23 determining that the transceiver should be maintained or placed in the short - range mode.

[0086] If step 23 determines that the transceiver should no longer be maintained or placed in the short - range mode, method 30 moves to step 35. Step 35 includes broadcasting a leave message to neighboring electronic devices. The leave message may include, for example, information regarding the duration for which the electronic device is expected to no longer operate in the short - range mode. The leave message may indicate that the electronic device will operate in the sleep mode (from the perspective of other devices / nodes in the network).

[0087] In some examples, step 35 may alternatively or additionally include nominating / delegating another node of the network or a neighboring device that functions as a buffer device. The nominated buffer device may be configured to buffer or temporarily store data for the electronic device (e.g., communications from other nodes of the network) until the electronic device returns to the short-range mode. Thereafter, the buffered data may be supplied to the electronic device upon re-entry into the short-range mode (e.g., as announced by the presence message in step 32). Thereby, the presence message may include a request for buffered data from the nominated buffer device.

[0088] Thus, the leave message may include information nominating a neighboring device that functions as a buffer device. Alternatively, this information may be sent separately from the leave message.

[0089] Such an embodiment advantageously ensures that the electronic device receives relevant information sent to the electronic device.

[0090] Following step 35, method 30 proceeds to step 36 of switching the transceiver to the long-range wireless communication mode.

[0091] When the transceiver is operating in the short-range mode, the electronic device may communicate with one or more neighboring electronic devices using a short-range wireless communication technology such as ZigBee, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.11, visible light communication, or the IEEE 802.15.4 technical standard. Mesh or star or point-to-point networks suitable for short-range communication technologies are well known in the art and may include a central bridge for devices to communicate with each other.

[0092] In particular, the electronic device may transmit or receive application data (such as data logs, firmware, configuration data, etc.) to / from neighboring devices within the network using broadcast / multicast or unicast methodologies. When operating according to the unicast methodology, the destination node or device typically needs to acknowledge the receipt of data at the application layer.

[0093] The external device may be, for example, a base station or an end server of a cellular network for communicating with the electronic device. Since long-range wireless communication technology provides a reliable transfer of information, it is preferably a cellular communication technology. Examples of suitable cellular technologies include 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G communication protocols.

[0094] FIG. 4 shows a second overall communication network 40 including an electronic device 42, an external device 43, and a network 44.

[0095] In the second communication network 40, the external device 43 is configured to communicate with other nodes 45 of the network 44 (i.e., neighboring electronic devices 45). For example, two or more nodes of the network may consist of the aforementioned electronic devices (i.e., capable of communicating using long-range and short-range wireless communication technologies). Other aspects of the network 40 may be embodied as described above.

[0096] The external device 43 may be able to communicate with the electronic device 42 operating in short-range mode via the network 44 (one or more nodes thereof). Thus, the network 44 may route messages / data from the external device 43 to the electronic device 42 and vice versa. In this way, one or more neighboring electronic devices 45 may route messages from the external device 43 to the electronic device 42 and vice versa.

[0097] In this way, the external device 43 may continue to communicate with the electronic device 42 even when the electronic device is not operating in the long-distance mode.

[0098] Preferably, the external device 43 is configured to request the electronic device to switch from the short-distance mode to the long-distance mode. In particular, the external device may instruct a node of the network 44 to provide an override signal to the electronic device 42, and the override signal may be an instruction to switch to the long-distance mode. In other words, it is possible to send a message via the transceiver of a neighboring electronic device 45 or a node 45 of the network 44 operating in the long-distance mode in order to toggle the operating mode of the transceiver of the electronic device.

[0099] Therefore, the switching unit of the electronic device may receive an override signal from the network 44 or a neighboring electronic device 45 (of the network 44) and be able to switch the transceiver from the short-distance mode to the long-distance mode in response to the override signal.

[0100] Embodiments advantageously enable the external device to wake up the long-distance interface of the electronic device via the short-distance interface of the electronic device. This means that the external device does not need to wait for the transceiver of the electronic device to return to the long-distance mode. This is of particular interest for the power-saving capabilities of IoT devices. Thus, the external device does not need to wait for a wake-up time slot to communicate with the electronic device (for example, when the electronic device has switched from the sleep mode).

[0101] In other examples, the ability of the neighboring device 45 to route messages or information from the external device 43 to the electronic device 42 may be utilized to reduce traffic on the long-distance communication channel.

[0102] For example, consider a scenario where an external device 43, such as an application server, wants to push a large firmware update to all devices within a network 44 that includes an electronic device 42. A node 45 of the network 44 may receive the firmware update via a long-range wireless technology and distribute it to other nodes of the network, such as the electronic device 42, using a short-range wireless technology. Thus, not all nodes need to communicate with the external device 43 to receive the firmware update, and communication via a more expensive long-range communication channel is minimized.

[0103] In a preferred implementation, one or more nodes of the network are woken up using an override signal to operate in a long-range mode. Thereafter, the one or more nodes may receive a copy of the firmware image and then further distribute the firmware update to other nodes within the network using a short-range mode. This improves the efficiency of distributing firmware updates from an external server.

[0104] The above concepts may be applied to the transfer of any data from an external device 43 to a node of the network 44, such as scheduling information.

[0105] A similar concept also applies to transferring data from the electronic device 42 to the external device 43 by routing information through a neighboring electronic device that communicates with the external device 43. Thus, the electronic device 42 may be configured to send data to be sent to the external device 43 to a neighboring electronic device 45.

[0106] FIG. 5 shows a transceiver for an electronic device according to an embodiment. The transceiver 50 may be formed as a System-on-a-Chip.

[0107] The electronic device includes an analog high-frequency front end 51, a dual-mode digital baseband module 52, a processor unit 53, a host interface 54, a memory unit 55 (including, for example, ROM, SRAM, DRAM, a security module, and / or a firewall), a peripheral interface 56, and a power management unit 57.

[0108] The digital baseband module 52 is configured to be operable in two different operating modes, namely, a short-range mode and a long-range mode. Both the front end 51 and the digital baseband module 52 enable the implementation of two or more basebands in a transceiver while sharing the same front end for data transmission and reception. Thus, only a single front end (including, for example, a single antenna 51A) is required for both short-range communication capabilities and long-range communication capabilities.

[0109] The digital baseband module 52 includes a conversion module 52A formed by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). A first digital module 52B controls short-range communication, and a second digital module 52C operates long-range communication. The first and second digital modules may represent aspects of a processor. A scheduler 52D controls the switching between the short-range mode and the long-range mode (i.e., functions as at least a switching unit). The processor unit 53 may process signals received from the digital baseband module 52 to function as a detection module (and control the operation of the scheduler).

[0110] Of course, two or more devices of a network may be embodied as the electronic device by the foregoing method. That is, a network such as a mesh network may be provided, including two or more electronic devices having a transceiver that can switch between a long-range mode and a short-range mode.

[0111] The network may be a lighting network, and each node of the network is a lighting device equipped with a transceiver. The aforementioned electronic device may be embodied as a lighting device (including, for example, a lighting fixture).

[0112] Other characteristics of the power-saving mode, such as the identity of the power-saving mode, the data transfer ability of the power-saving mode, the data transfer limit of the power-saving mode, etc., may be used to control the switching of the operating mode of the transceiver.

[0113] Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood by those skilled in the art and can be practiced when implementing the claimed invention, upon consideration of the drawings, the present disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain means are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these means cannot be used advantageously. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising a transceiver, a detection module, and a switching unit, wherein the transceiver, is in a long-distance mode in which the transceiver communicates with at least one external device using a long-distance wireless communication technology, the long-distance wireless communication technology including a power-saving mode, a long-distance mode, and a short-distance mode in which the transceiver communicates with at least one neighboring electronic device using a short-distance wireless communication technology, is configured to be switchable, the detection module is configured to detect a period during which the transceiver is unable to communicate using the long-distance wireless communication technology due to the power-saving mode, the switching unit is configured to switch the transceiver to the short-distance mode during the duration of the period, an electronic device.

2. The long-distance wireless communication technology is a cellular system, and the power-saving mode includes one or more of discontinuous reception technology, extended discontinuous reception, and sleep mode. The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. The electronic device is configured to receive a signal from the at least one neighboring electronic device when operating in the short-distance mode, the switching unit is configured to switch the transceiver from the short-distance mode to the long-distance mode in response to an override signal received from the at least one neighboring electronic device. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The override signal represents a request from the at least one external device for communicating with the electronic device. The electronic device according to claim 3.

5. The electronic device is configured to broadcast a presence message to the at least one neighboring electronic device in response to entering the short-distance mode. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The electronic device is configured to broadcast a leave message to the at least one neighboring electronic device before ending the short-distance mode. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electronic device is configured to nominate one or more neighboring electronic devices out of the at least one neighboring electronic device that functions as a buffer for data communicated using the short-range wireless communication technology and targeted at the electronic device before ending the short-range mode.

8. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electronic device includes a clock synchronization unit configured to synchronize an internal clock of the electronic device with a clock of one of the at least one external device when the transceiver is in the long-range mode.

9. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the switching unit is configured to periodically switch the transceiver between the long-range mode and the short-range mode based on the power-saving mode of the long-range wireless communication technology.

10. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electronic device and the at least one neighboring electronic device form a short-range network when the electronic device is operating in the short-range mode.

11. A method of operating a transceiver of an electronic device, wherein the transceiver is configured to be switchable between a long-range mode in which the transceiver communicates with at least one external device using a long-range wireless communication technology, the long-range wireless communication technology including a power-saving mode, and a short-range mode in which the transceiver communicates with at least one neighboring electronic device using a short-range wireless communication technology, and the method includes: detecting a period during which the transceiver is unable to communicate using the long-range wireless communication technology due to the power-saving mode; switching the transceiver to the short-range mode during the duration of the period; and including.

12. The method includes: receiving an override signal from the at least one neighboring electronic device; switching the transceiver from the short-range mode to the long-range mode in response to the override signal; and including the method according to claim 11.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the electronic device includes a step of synchronizing an internal clock of the electronic device with a clock of one of the at least one external device when the transceiver is in the long-distance mode.

14. A computer program including code means for implementing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 13 when executed on a computer.

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