Communicating with sensor devices

Abstract

A mechanism for controlling the operation of a communication system (121) of an electronic device (120). Timing information is received from a sensor device (111, 112) that sends sensor data to the electronic device (120). The timing information is used to predict the timing(s) of one or more future transmissions of sensor data. The predicted timing(s) is(are) used to control the operation of the communication system (121).

Description

[0001] COMMUNICATING WITH SENSOR DEVICES

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of electronic devices.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] There is an increasing demand for electronic devices, which perform one or more physical functions, to be able to respond to sensor data produced by sensor devices.

[0006] United States patent US 7,924,774 B2 discloses a control system comprising a plurality of field devices, wherein a host computer sends control messages to, and receives response messages from, field devices. The field devices are operated in an on / off power cycle. A gateway connects the host computer to the field devices. The gateway provides the host computer in response to a message addressed to one of the field devices a predicted time value of when the host computer can expect a response from the field device, thereby the field devices appear to the host computer as available on demand.

[0007] Furthermore, there is an increasing use of luminaires or lamps that are configured to emit light responsive to detection of movement within an environment.

[0008] In such scenarios, a typical electronic device will comprise a communication system (for receiving sensor data from the sensor device(s)) and a physical interaction system for performing the physical function(s). The physical interaction system is configured to modify or adjust a property of the physical function responsive to sensor data generated by the sensor device and transmitted to the communication system.

[0009] There is an ongoing desire to improve the efficiency of systems that include one or more such electronic devices and one or more sensor devices.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0012] According to examples in accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic device comprising a communication system configured to monitor at least one wireless communication channel for sensor data transmitted by one or more sensor devices; a physical interaction system configured to perform one or more physical functions responsive to sensor data transmitted by the one or more sensor devices and detected by the communication system; and a processing system.

[0013] The processing system is configured to, for each sensor device of the one or more sensor devices: receive, using the communication system, timing information from the sensor device, wherein the timing information changes responsive to a change in a frequency of transmission of the sensor data by the sensor device; predict, from the timing information, a timing of one or more future transmissions of the sensor data by the sensor device; and control the operation of the communication system responsive to the predicted timing of the one or more future transmissions of the sensor data.

[0014] The present disclosure provides a mechanism that adjusts an operation of a communication system of an electronic device responsive to a predicted timing of future transmissions of sensor data (to the electronic device). This can allow, for instance, for the communication system to prioritize certain transmissions of sensor data over other transmission and / or to perform power saving functionality when no transmissions of sensor data are expected.

[0015] Proposed approaches thereby provide significantly improved flexibility in the functioning of a system comprising the electronic device (and the sensor device(s)) and / or more power efficient operation of the electronic device.

[0016] In the context of the present disclosure, a physical function is any action or activity that tangibly (i.e., perceivable by a human) influences or affects an environment in the vicinity of the electronic device. As an example, the physical function may be the emission of light, control over a temperature (e.g., in a fridge or air-conditioning system), performance of a household task (such as washing clothes or making coffee).

[0017] The physical interaction system is itself configured to perform the physical function(s) that tangibly (i.e., perceivable by a human) influence(s) or affect(s) the environment.

[0018] In some examples, the physical interaction system is a lighting arrangement configured to emit light. The processing system may be configured to selectively activate / deactivate (or change an intensity and / or color of light emitted by) the lighting arrangement responsive to the sensor data transmitted by the one or more sensor devices.

[0019] The receipt of timing information using the communication system, may involve using one or more transmission over the wireless channel of the sensor device.

[0020] The electronic device is thus enabled to predict - for each sensor device - one or more future transmissions by the respective sensor device using timing information received by means of communications over the wireless communication channel from the respective sensor device.

[0021] Optionally, timing information may be received from communications directly or indirectly and may make use of sensor data transmissions and / or other transmissions from the sensor device.

[0022] When timing information is directly received, such timing information is conveyed in the communication. In one scenario, this may involve adding timing information in a communication of sensor data, where the timing information may e.g. take the form of a first identifier of the timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data, added to the sensor data. Timing information may thus be received from one or more communications of sensor data. In an alternate scenario timing information may also be directly received separate from the sensor data using one or more communications, in this scenario, the communication carrying the timing information is a communication without sensor data carrying a second identifier of the timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data. In either case the received identifier may be used to predict a timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data.

[0023] When timing information is communicated indirectly, the processing system may utilize two or more transmissions of sensor data by the sensor device to predict a timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data responsive to a difference in time between the two or more transmissions of sensor data. This scenario which works particularly well, for transmissions that are substantially periodic and at the same time limits communication overhead as no identifiers are used.

[0024] In some examples, the processing system is configured to control, for each sensor device, a monitoring by the communication system for sensor data transmitted by the sensor device responsive to the predicted timing of the one or more future transmissions for the sensor device. In this way, the processing system may dynamically and / or adaptively change how it monitors for sensor data from each sensor device responsive to a predicted timing of the future transmission(s) of sensor data. This may, for instance, facilitate performing power saving operations during times at which no transmission is expected.

[0025] Thus, for instance, the processing system may be configured to, for each sensor device, prevent a monitoring by the communication system for sensor data transmitted by the sensor device during times at which no transmission of sensor data is expected from the sensor device, as indicated by the predicted timing of the one or more future transmissions for the sensor device. In some examples, the processing system is configured to, for each sensor device, only permit the communication system to periodically monitor for sensor data transmitted by the sensor device at periodic intervals, wherein a periodicity of the periodic intervals is responsive to the predicted timing of the one or more future transmissions of the sensor data for the sensor device. This advantageously provides a mechanism by which monitoring for transmission of sensor data is prevented during times at which no transmissions of sensor data are expected.

[0026] The processing system may be further configured to send, using the communication system, a respective desired frequency indicator to each sensor device over the at least one wireless communication channel, wherein the desired frequency indicator indicates a desired frequency of transmissions of sensor data. This approach allows the electronic device to influence or control the frequency at which sensor data is transmitted by the sensor device(s). This approach allows for the electronic device to co-ordinate the transmission of sensor data, e.g., amongst multiple sensor devices, e.g., to facilitate improved efficiency and / or reduced noise in the overall system.

[0027] The processing system may be further configured to send, using the communication system, a respective desired phase indicator to each sensor device over the at least one wireless communication channel, wherein each desired phase indicator indicates a desired temporal offset between the frequency at which the respective sensor device transmits sensor data and a baseline frequency.

[0028] In some examples, the one or more sensor devices comprises a plurality of sensor devices; and the respective desired phase indicator for each sensor device indicates a different temporal offset between the frequency at which the respective sensor device transmits sensor data and a baseline frequency. This approach reduces a risk of overlap between the transmissions of sensor data by different sensor devices, reducing congestion and / or interference during transmissions, thereby improving the reliability of the transmissions.

[0029] In some examples, for each sensor device: the timing information comprises two or more transmissions of sensor data by the sensor device; and the processing system is configured to predict a timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data responsive to a difference in time between the two or more transmissions of sensor data. This approach recognizes that the times at which two different transmissions of sensor data occur can be used to predict a time at which one or more future transmissions of sensor data can be expected. This can, for instance, be readily performed by averaging a time between temporally adjacent transmissions to predict an average time between transmissions and / or estimating (predicting) a frequency of transmissions.

[0030] In some examples, for each sensor device, at least one transmission of sensor data from the sensor device comprises, as the timing information, a first identifier of the timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data; and the processing system is configured to predict a timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data using the first identifier of the timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data. Such identifier may represent an indication of an absolute time when such transmission is predicted to occur, an indication of a time relative to a reference, such as the receipt of the previous sensor transmission, or an indication of an interval of sensor transmissions, “every second”, “every 5 seconds”, “every minute”, “hourly”, “twice daily”, etc.

[0031] In some examples, the processing system is configured to receive, using the communication system, at least one further communication from the sensor device, wherein the further communication is separate to any transmission of sensor data and carries a second identifier of the timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data; and the processing system is configured to predict a timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data using the second identifier of the timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data.

[0032] Each at least one wireless communication channel may use a physical layer in accordance with the IEEE 802.11-2012 standard or one of the later IEEE 802.11 family of standards.

[0033] In preferred examples, each at least one wireless communication channel is a peer-to-peer communication channel. Thus, each sensor device may directly communicate with the electronic device. One example of a suitable peer-to-peer communication channel is a WiFi ® Direct communication channel, as certified by the Wi-Fi alliance and which builds upon the IEEE 802.11 family of standards. Alternative peer-to-peer communication channels are known, such as Zigbee or Bluteooth or any vendor specific peer-to-peer communication protocol (such as those that build upon the IEEE 802.11 family of standards). In particular, the communication channel may make use of a physical layer and / or MAC layer defined in accordance with the IEEE 802.11-2012 standard or one of the later IEEE 802.11 family of standards, e.g., but with additional proprietary requirements or standards for facilitating communication. For instance, the communication channel may make use of vendor specific information in action frames to provide peer-to-peer direct communication capabilities, thereby allowing compatible IEEE 802.11 devices to operate in a regular 802.11 BSS and / or alternatively communicate directly in a peer-to-peer fashion with other compatible devices. There is also proposed an electronic system comprising any herein disclosed electronic device; and the sensor device configured to: monitor one or more environmental properties; and periodically transmit sensor data over the at least one wireless communication channel, wherein each periodic transmission of the sensor data is responsive to the monitored one or more environmental properties.

[0034] There is also proposed a computer-implemented method for controlling the operation of a physical interaction system configured to perform one or more physical functions.

[0035] The computer-implemented method comprises: monitoring, using a communication system of an electronic device, at least one wireless communication channel for any transmissions of sensor data transmitted by a sensor device, wherein the one or more physical functions of the physical interaction system are responsive to the sensor data transmitted by the sensor device and detected by the communication system; receiving using the communication system, timing information from the sensor device, wherein the timing information changes responsive to a change in a frequency of transmission of the sensor data by the sensor device; predicting, from the timing information, a timing of one or more future transmissions of the sensor data by the sensor device; and controlling the operation of the communication system responsive to the predicted timing of the one or more future transmissions of the sensor data.

[0036] The receiving of timing information using the communication system, may involve using one or more transmission over the wireless channel of the sensor device.

[0037] The electronic device is thus enabled to predict - for each sensor device - one or more future transmissions by the respective sensor device, using timing information received by means of communications over the wireless communication channel by the respective sensor device. There is also proposed computer program product comprising computer program code means which, when executed on a computing device having a processing system, cause the processing system to perform all of the steps of any herein disclosed computer- implemented method.

[0038] There is also proposed a computer-implemented method for controlling the operation of a physical interaction system configured to perform one or more physical functions. The computer-implemented method comprises: monitoring one or more environmental properties using a sensor of a sensor device; and periodically transmitting the sensor data from the sensor device, over the at least one wireless communication channel, wherein each periodic transmission of the sensor data is responsive to the monitored one or more environmental properties; and performing the previously disclosed computer- implemented method.

[0039] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment s) described hereinafter.

[0040] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0042] Fig. 1 illustrates an electronic system in which embodiments may be employed;

[0043] Fig. 2 illustrates a proposed method;

[0044] Fig. 3 illustrates a control strategy for a communication system; and

[0045] Fig. 4 illustrates another proposed method.

[0046] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0047] The invention will be described with reference to the Figures.

[0048] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, systems and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the Figures are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the Figures to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0049] The invention provides a mechanism for controlling the operation of a communication system of an electronic device. Timing information is received from a sensor device that sends sensor data to the electronic device. The timing information is used to predict the timing(s) of one or more future transmissions of sensor data. The predicted timing(s) are used to control the operation of the communication system.

[0050] Figure 1 illustrates an electronic system 100 in which embodiments may be employed, for the purposes of improved contextual understanding. The system comprises a plurality of sensor devices 111, 112 and an electronic device 120.

[0051] Each sensor device 111, 112 and the electronic device 120 are able to communicate with one another over one or more wireless communication channels 151, 152, using any known wireless communication protocol. There is a particular type of electronic system 100 in which each sensor device 111, 112 and electronic device 120 are able to communicate directly with one another, i.e., without any communications being routed via one or more other devices or routes. Accordingly, each sensor device 111, 112 and electronic device may communicate over one or more direct wireless communication channels (also known as a peer-to-peer communication channel), using any known direct wireless communication protocol.

[0052] Suitable direct wireless communication protocols include an infrared link, Zigbee, Bluetooth, a direct communication protocol set out in the IEEE 802.11 standards and so on. For instance, a direct wireless communication protocol may be a Wi-Fi ® Direct protocol, such as that certified by the Wi-Fi alliance or another form of proprietary direct wireless communication protocol, such as those that build upon the IEEE 802.11 standards. In particular, there are a wide variety of wireless communication protocols or standards that build upon the physical and / or medium access control (MAC) layer constructs of the IEEE 802.11 family standards, particularly those of 2012 and later. Any such wireless communication protocol / standard may be employed for use in the present disclosure.

[0053] For instance, a direct wireless communication protocol that may be employed may build upon the physical layer and MAC layer constructs of the IEEE 802.11 family of standards by using vendor specific information in action frames to provide peer-to-peer direct communication capabilities, thereby allowing compatible IEEE 802.11 devices to operate in a regular 802.11 BSS and / or alternatively communicate directly in a peer-to-peer fashion with other compatible devices.

[0054] Thus, the direct wireless communication protocol may be a peer-to-peer vendor specific communication protocol. This may allow a Station (STA) in a Basic Service Set (BSS) to use vendor specific action frames to broadcast messages and / or even address messages to other devices, that are either inside or outside of the BSS, provided such devices support the vendor specific communication protocol. Devices that are not in the BSS, but that support the peer-to-peer vendor specific communication protocol, may in this manner gain access to external infrastructure via the proxy device and access point in the BSS.

[0055] Other formats for peer-to-peer communication will be readily apparent to the person skilled in the art.

[0056] In this way, each wireless communication channel may operate according to any known wireless communication protocol, such as in accordance with one of the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, and / or may be a peer-to-peer communication channel. Each sensor device 111, 112 is configured to monitor for an external stimulus, such as a user interaction, a movement, a temperature, a water pressure, an ambient light level and so on. Examples of suitable sensor devices include remote controls, PIR movement sensors, thermosensors or even personal electronic devices (e.g., smartphones, laptops, tablets etc.).

[0057] Each sensor device is configured to transmit, e.g., broadcast, sensor data to the electronic device. The transmission of sensor data may, for instance, be periodic (e.g., a periodic measurement of temperature) or responsive to a trigger (e.g., a user interaction with the sensor device or a monitored property such as temperature exceeding a predetermined threshold). It will be clear that the transmission by the sensor device is over the at least one wireless communication channel, i.e., is communicated wirelessly.

[0058] A wide variety of communication protocols, some of which are identified above, facilitate the transmission or broadcasting of sensor data from a sensor device to an electronic device. Known protocols include, for instance, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and other communication protocols such as that certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance or yet another form of proprietary direct wireless communication protocol, such as those that build upon the IEEE 802.11 standards.

[0059] In particular, a wireless communication protocol may be used that it built upon the physical and / or medium access control (MAC) layer constructs of the IEEE 802.11 family standards, particularly those of 2012 and later. Any such wireless communication protocol / standard may be employed for use in the present disclosure.

[0060] The electronic device 120 comprises a communication system 121, a physical interaction system 122 and a processing system 125.

[0061] The processing system 125 controls the function and / or operation of the electronic device, as it widely known in the art. In particular, the processing system 125 may co-ordinate the performance of any function by any other component of the electronic device.

[0062] The communication system 121 is configured to monitor the at least one wireless communication channel for the / any sensor data transmitted by the sensor device(s) 111, 112 in the electronic system 100. The communication system 121 may comprise any suitable communication circuitry or components, e.g. antenna(e), receiver(s), amplifier(s) and so on to facilitate the monitoring of sensor data.

[0063] The physical interaction system 122 is configured to perform one or more physical functions responsive to sensor data transmitted by the one or more sensor devices and detected by the communication system. In the context of the present disclosure, a physical function is a function that has a perceivable effect in the vicinity or environment of the electronic device. Thus, the physical function has a tangible influence on the environment.

[0064] By way of example, the physical interaction system may comprise a lamp or lighting arrangement configured to emit light. One or more properties of the emitted light may be responsive to the sensor data (e.g., an intensity, color, direction and so on).

[0065] As another example, the physical interaction system may comprise a cooling system (e.g., for a fridge or AC system) configured to perform cooling. One or more properties of cooling performed by the cooling system (e.g., a temperature, a speed of temperature change and so on) may be responsive to the sensor data.

[0066] As yet another example, the physical interaction system may comprise coffee making apparatus. One or more properties of the coffee making apparatus (e.g., a temperature of coffee, activation of making coffee and so on) may be responsive to the sensor data.

[0067] As yet another example, the physical interaction system may comprise clothes washing apparatus. One or more properties of the function of the clothes washing apparatus (e.g., a program setting, a temperature setting, an activation of the function etc.) may be responsive to the sensor data.

[0068] For the avoidance of doubt, it is noted that, although possible, the sensor data does not need to directly perform a physical function responsive to sensor data (i.e., the physical function does not necessarily need to be triggered by sensor data), rather - a property of the physical function is responsive to the sensor data. For instance, the sensor data may (for clothes washing apparatus) define or set a temperature for a future washing cycle. As another example, the sensor data may (for a lamp) define a future color for light output by the lamp. Other examples will be clear to the skilled person.

[0069] Although the above-described example system comprises two sensor devices, it will be apparent that, in practice, a system may comprise any number of sensor devices (e.g., one or more sensor devices), e.g., only a single sensor device, more than two sensor devices and so on.

[0070] The present disclosure recognizes that, in existing systems, the communication system 121 of the electronic device 120 is required to continually monitor for sensor data from each sensor device. Failure to do so is thought to result in potentially missed communication from the sensor device(s), and therefore a failure to respond to any changes or triggers to physical functions (for the physical interaction system) responsive to sensor data.

[0071] It is herein proposed to, for each sensor device with which the communication system communicates, predict a timing of one or more future transmissions of the sensor data. This predicted timing is then used to control the operation of the communication system, e.g., control the timing of the sensor device(s).

[0072] This can, for instance, allow the communication system to only activate when a future transmission is expected. Alternatively, this can allow the communication system to only monitor a particular channel (over which a particular sensor device communicates) when a future transmission is expected. As another example, the proposed approach can allow a communication system to prioritize or schedule monitoring of different sensor devices responsive to predicted timings (e.g., if there is a clash or overlap of the predicted future transmission of sensor data).

[0073] The predicted timing(s) of the future transmission(s) are derived or predicted responsive to timing information from the sensor device. A variety of examples of timing information and methods for predicting timing(s) are provided later in this disclosure.

[0074] Further embodiments configure the sensor device(s) to only send transmissions periodically, to improve the accuracy of the prediction of the timing of the future transmi ssion(s) by the electronic device and reduce a risk of transmitted sensor data being overlooked.

[0075] The present disclosure thereby provides a modification to the electronic device and / or the system based on the above-identified recognition.

[0076] Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of a method 200 to be performed by a processing system of the electronic device. The method 200 is performed for each sensor device from which the electronic device is able to receive transmissions.

[0077] The method 200 comprises a step 210 of receiving, using the communication system, timing information from the sensor device.

[0078] Timing information changes responsive to a change in the frequency of transmission of the sensor data by the sensor device. Thus, an increase and / or decrease in the frequency of transmission of sensor data will cause a change in the timing information. The timing information is therefore information that depends upon or changes responsive to one or more times at which a respective one or more transmissions are made from the sensor device to the electronic device.

[0079] As one example, the timing information may comprise two or more transmissions of sensor data by the sensor device. The times at which the transmissions of sensor data is sent / received can be used to determine or predict a timing of future transmissions. In particular, the two or more transmissions of sensor data may be temporally sequential transmissions of sensor data. As another example, the timing information may be a first identifier contained in at least one transmission of sensor data from the sensor device (i.e., form part of the communication of sensor data). This first identifier may, for instance, identify the timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data (e.g., an indication of a time of a next transmission and / or a frequency of transmissions).

[0080] As yet another example, the timing information may be a second identifier contained in a communication, from the sensor device, separate to any communication of sensor data. This second identifier may similarly identify the timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data (e.g., an indication of a time of a next transmission and / or a frequency of transmissions).

[0081] The method 200 also comprises a step 220 of predicting, from the timing information, a timing of one or more future transmission of the sensor data by the sensor device.

[0082] The timing may be predicted by, for instance, predicting a periodicity of transmissions of sensor data by the sensor device, a frequency of transmissions of sensor data by the sensor device and / or one or more times at which future transmissions of sensor data by the sensor device is(are) performed. It will be appreciated that a predicted periodicity / frequency of (future) transmission represents a predicted timing of future transmission.

[0083] More specific examples of instances of timing information and how to derive the timing of the future transmission(s) of sensor data are later provided.

[0084] The method 200 also comprises a step 230 of controlling the operation of the communication system responsive to the predicted timing of the one or more future transmission of the sensor data.

[0085] By way of example, step 230 may comprise controlling a monitoring (by the communication system) for sensor data transmitted by the sensor device responsive to the predicted timing of the one or more future transmissions for the sensor device. More particularly, step 230 may comprise determining a control strategy for the communication system that defines when the communication system is permitted to monitor for communications.

[0086] In a first example approach, step 230 may comprise determining a predicted time of a next transmission of sensor data by the sensor device, determining a start time for a monitoring by the communication system responsive to the predicted time and preventing the communication system from monitoring for the transmission of sensor data from the sensor device at least until the start time. This embodiment of step 230 may be iteratively repeated (e.g., based on the most recently available timing information).

[0087] In a second example approach, step 230 may comprise only permitting the communication system to periodically monitor for sensor data transmitted by the sensor device at periodic intervals, wherein a periodicity of the periodic intervals is responsive to the predicted timing of the one or more future transmissions of the sensor data for the sensor device.

[0088] For instance, step 220 may comprise predicting a frequency of transmissions of sensor data from the sensor data, and step 230 may comprise setting a frequency of monitoring windows (during which the communication system is permitted to monitor for the sensor data) to match this predicted frequency. Step 230 may also comprise preventing the communication system from monitoring for the sensor data outside of these monitoring windows. Of course, step 230 may also comprise synchronizing the monitoring windows with the time(s) at which transmission of sensor data are expected (e.g., based on a time at which a most recently received transmission of sensor data is received).

[0089] Both of these approaches share a common functionality of preventing the communication system from monitoring for sensor data from the sensor device during times at which no transmission(s) is(are) expected from the sensor device. This advantageously improves an efficiency of the communication system.

[0090] A different instance of method 200 is performed for each sensor device.

[0091] If the communication system is configured to monitor for sensor data transmitted by only a single sensor device, then step 230 may comprise controlling the communication system to operate in a sleep or low-power mode when preventing the communication system from monitoring for the transmission of sensor data from the sensor device.

[0092] If the communication system is configured to monitor for sensor data transmitted by a plurality of sensor devices, then step 230 may comprise controlling the communication system to operate in a sleep or low-power mode only when preventing the communication system from monitoring for the transmission of sensor data from all of the plurality of sensor devices.

[0093] A more complete example of a method performed by the processing system is hereafter described for the same of improved understanding.

[0094] In this scenario, each sensor device is configured to periodically transmit a transmission / communication of sensor data to the electronic device, i.e., at a particular frequency or periodicity. In other words, the waiting time between transmissions is constant (or near-constant), barring variations due to noise or other factors (such as variation in oscillation frequency of an oscillator due to power fluctuations and / or temperature).

[0095] In this example method, each instance of timing information effectively comprises two or more transmissions of sensor data by the sensor device. More particularly, the timing information may comprise the times at which the transmissions of sensor data is sent / received can be used to determine or predict a timing of future transmissions.

[0096] In this way, each instance of timing information may comprise (or be processed to identify) a set of two or more timestamps (from a same sensor device) that each identify a time of transmission (from the sensor device) or a time of receival (at the electronic device) of the transmission of the corresponding sensor device. In this way, the timing information is information that depends upon one or more times at which a respective one or more transmissions are made from the sensor device to the electronic device.

[0097] In performing step 220, each set of timestamps are processed to predict or determine a time, from a previous transmission by the respective sensor device, until a next transmission of sensor data, known as a “waiting time”. The prediction of the waiting time can be readily performed, for instance, by determining a difference between each pair of temporally adjacent timestamps and averaging the difference.

[0098] The processing system may then, in performing step 230 for each sensor device, control the operation of the communication system to not monitor for transmissions from the sensor device until (e.g., close to) the time at which the next transmission is expected. In other words, step 230 may comprise defining a start time of a next monitoring window (for sensor data from the relevant sensor device) to lie at or near the time at which a next transmission is expected.

[0099] This may, for instance, comprise controlling the communication system to not monitor for a transmission from a sensor device until a predetermined percentage or portion of the waiting time (for said sensor device) has lapsed since the last transmission. Preferably, the predetermined percentage is no less than 75%, e.g., no less than 80%, in order to further improve the power efficiency of the electronic device. In further preferred embodiments, to reduce a risk of missing a transmission from the sensor device (e.g., due to a drift of a clock of the sensor device), the predetermined percentage is no greater than 95%, e.g., no greater than 90%).

[0100] The method 200 may be iteratively performed or repeated by the processing system, e.g., to update the waiting time for each transmission received from the sensor device. In preferred examples, during times at which the processing system prevents the communication system from monitoring for a transmission from any sensor device (with which the electronic device communicates), the processing system may be configured to control the communication system to enter a sleep or low-power mode, in which the power consumption by the communication system is reduced. Approaches for controlling a communication system to enter a sleep / low-power mode are well known in the art.

[0101] This approach significantly improves a power efficiency of the electronic device.

[0102] Figure 3 conceptually illustrates a control strategy employed or adopted by the processing system following the above-described procedure. In particular, the control strategy defines times during which the communication system is permitted to monitor for transmissions from the sensor device.

[0103] In Figure 3, a first waveform 310 illustrates monitoring windows 315 of the communication system over time t. Within a monitoring window, the communication system is permitted to monitor for a transmission from the sensor device. Outside of any monitoring window, the communication system is not permitted to monitor for a transmission from the sensor device.

[0104] For improved contextual understanding, a second waveform 320 illustrates transmissions 325 of sensor data, by the sensor device to the electronic device.

[0105] Each monitoring window may be designed to have a longer duration than an expected duration of a transmission from the sensor device. In particular, each monitoring window may be designed or configured to begin before an expected transmission from the sensor device and end after the (end of the) expected transmission from the sensor device.

[0106] More particularly, if a transmission of the sensor device is expected to occur X seconds after a previous transmission, then the monitoring window of the communication may cover a period of between Y.X and Z.X seconds after the previous transmission, where the value of Y is between 0.7 and 0.95 (e.g., 0.89) and the value of Z is between 1.05 and 1.2 (e.g. 1.11).

[0107] The processing system of the electronic device is configured to receive and process timing information to determine or predict a timing of future transmissions. The processing system subsequently determines a control strategy for the communication system in which the communication system is configured to only monitor for communications during periodic monitoring windows. The frequency and phase of these monitoring windows is selected or determined based on the predicted timing(s) of the future transmission(s), as previously described.

[0108] In this way, the processing system of the electronic device effectively only permits the communication system to periodically monitor for sensor data transmitted by the sensor device at periodic intervals. The periodicity of the periodic intervals is responsive to the predicted timing of the one or more future transmissions of the sensor data for the sensor device.

[0109] In this way, the communication system is controlled to be monitoring for transmission(s) during a time at which a transmission is received.

[0110] As previously explained, in the previously described embodiment each instance of timing information effectively comprises two or more transmissions of sensor data by the sensor device. The processing system is correspondingly configured to predict a timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data responsive to a difference in time between the two or more transmissions of sensor data.

[0111] By having intervals where the medium is monitored for transmissions power saving may be improved (e.g. by switching off / powering down the communication system). But even when the communication system is not powered down, the proposed mechanism may save power, as it reduces the likelihood of loss of sensor data due to interfering transmissions - thereby reducing the need for retries (when acknowledged) and / or additional polling (which might not be possible, when the sensors power down their transmitters in an aggressive manner).

[0112] Alternative approaches are possible.

[0113] In a first alternative approach, the timing information may be a first identifier contained in at least one transmission of sensor data from the sensor device (i.e., form part of the transmission of sensor data). Thus, at least one transmission of sensor data from the sensor device comprises, as the timing information, a first identifier of the timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data.

[0114] In this example, the processing system may be configured to predict a timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data using the first identifier of the timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data. For instance, if the first identifier comprises an indicated frequency of transmissions of sensor data, it is trivial to predict the timing of future transmissions of sensor data based on a time for a most recently received transmission of sensor data. In a second alternative approach, the timing information may be a second identifier contained in a (further) communication, from the sensor device, separate to any transmission of sensor data. In this way, the processing system may be configured to receive, using the communication system, at least one further communication from the sensor device, wherein the further communication is separate to any transmission of sensor data and carries a second identifier of the timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data.

[0115] In this example, the processing system is configured to predict a timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data using the second identifier of the timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data. For instance, if the second identifier comprises an indicated frequency of transmissions of sensor data, it is trivial to predict the timing of future transmissions of sensor data based on a time for a most recently received transmission of sensor data.

[0116] In the preceding examples, the sensor device(s) may operate effectively independently of the electronic device. However, in some further embodiments, the electronic device may be able to communicate with the sensor device, e.g., to control or modify an operation of the sensor device.

[0117] In particular, the processing system may be further configured to send, using the communication system, a respective desired frequency indicator to each sensor device over the at least one wireless communication channel. The desired frequency indicator may indicate a desired frequency of transmissions of sensor data.

[0118] In this way, the processing system may be able to indicate a desired frequency of transmission of sensor data. In some examples, the processing system may be configured to indicate a same desired frequency (or multiple of the same baseline frequency) to each of a plurality of sensor devices.

[0119] In some variants of this approach, each sensor device and processing system may be able to negotiate a frequency at which sensor data is to be sent. This negotiation may, for instance, be based on the capability of the sensor device (e.g., a maximum and / or minimum frequency as defined at the sensor device) and / or a power level of the sensor device (e.g., with low power levels indicating a lower frequency would be preferred).

[0120] In some examples, the processing system is further configured to send, using the communication system, a respective desired phase indicator to each sensor device over the at least one wireless communication channel. Each desired phase indicator may indicate a desired temporal offset between the frequency at which the respective sensor device transmits sensor data and a baseline frequency. One example of a phase indicator is an indication of an amount of time that the sensor device is to wait before resuming communications. This may, for instance, comprise an indication of a number of clock cycles that the sensor device should wait / sleep before resuming its operations.

[0121] The desired phase indicator may be a single communication that indicates a time for the sensor device to wait before resuming operations.

[0122] In this way, the electronic device is effectively able to give each sensor device a handshake signal to indicate when they are to continue transmissions. This handshake signal may, for instance, indicate a number of clock cycles for the sensor device to sleep before resuming its operations.

[0123] This approach also allows the processing system to co-ordinate the transmission (and receipt) of sensor data from different sensor devices. In particular, this can allow for the electronic device to set each sensor device to have a same transmission window (e.g., to allow for a longer sleep or low-power mode) and / or each sensor device to have different transmission windows, e.g., for reduced noise and improved integrity of transmission.

[0124] As an example, the processing system might intentionally cluster together the transmissions of sensor data from different sensor devices so that the processing system can operate a single monitoring window to save power. This is particularly advantageous when the processing system controls each sensor device to transmit sensor data at a same frequency, but at slightly different phases.

[0125] Accordingly, in some examples, the one or more sensor devices comprises a plurality of sensor devices. The respective desired phase indicator for each sensor device may indicate a different temporal offset between the frequency at which the respective sensor device transmits sensor data and a baseline frequency.

[0126] Previously disclosed embodiments provide methods and techniques to be performed by the processing system of an electronic device.

[0127] Accordingly, there is provided an electronic device comprising: a communication system configured to monitor at least one wireless communication channel for sensor data transmitted by one or more sensor devices; a physical interaction system configured to perform one or more physical functions responsive to sensor data transmitted by the one or more sensor devices and detected by the communication system; and a processing system configured to perform any herein disclosed and previously described method or technique.

[0128] Thus, the processing system is configured to, for each sensor device of the one or more sensor devices: receive, using the communication system, timing information from the sensor device, wherein the timing information changes responsive to a change in a frequency of transmission of the sensor data by the sensor device; predict, from the timing information, a timing of one or more future transmissions of the sensor data by the sensor device; and control the operation of the communication system responsive to the predicted timing of the one or more future transmissions of the sensor data.

[0129] Further modifications and variations for the processing system will be apparent from the preceding description.

[0130] For the sake of completeness, it is also noted that the herein proposed electronic device may form part of a herein proposed electronic system.

[0131] In particular, there is also herein disclosed an electronic system comprising any herein disclosed electronic device; and one or more sensor devices, each sensor device being configured to: monitor one or more environmental properties; and periodically transmit sensor data over the at least one wireless communication channel, wherein each periodic transmission of the sensor data is responsive to the monitored one or more environmental properties.

[0132] Figure 4 illustrates a proposed computer-implemented method 400 for controlling the operation of a physical interaction system configured to perform one or more physical functions.

[0133] The computer-implemented method 400 comprises a step 410 of monitoring one or more environmental properties using a sensor of a sensor device.

[0134] The computer-implemented method 400 also comprises a step 420 of periodically transmitting the sensor data from the sensor device, over the at least one wireless communication channel, wherein each periodic transmission of the sensor data is responsive to the monitored one or more environmental properties.

[0135] The computer-implemented method 400 also comprise performing the method 200 previously disclosed.

[0136] Proposed embodiments make use of sensor devices that generate and transmit sensor data to the electronic device. Some embodiments advantageous make use of or rely upon sensor devices that periodically transmit sensor data to the electronic device. A number of example potential approaches that may be adopted by a sensor device to perform this task are hereafter described for improved understanding.

[0137] In a first example, the sensor device is configured to periodically measure data of an environment (e.g., an ambient light level or a temperature) and (e.g., immediately) transmit this information to the electronic device. In a second example, the sensor device is configured to continually monitor for data and periodically transmit information regarding the data to the electronic device. The periodic transmission may, for instance, contain the monitored data since the last period, indicate whether any value for the monitored data met a certain threshold since the last transmission, and / or contain any one or more statistical values of the monitored data since the last transmission (e.g., an average, standard deviation and so on).

[0138] In one variant of this second example, the sensor device is configured to monitor data (e.g., temperature, movement etc.) to determine whether or not a predetermined event has occurred since the last period. If a predetermined event has occurred, the sensor device waits until the next scheduled transmission of sensor data to send this information to the electronic device.

[0139] In a third example, the sensor device is configured to periodically transmit a transmission to the electronic device. The transmission may be a simple heartbeat communication that, if sensed data breaches some predetermined threshold, indicates the breach to the electronic device.

[0140] It is not essential that the frequency at which each sensor device sends a transmission of sensor data is fixed. Rather, the frequency may dynamically change, e.g., based on conditions or criteria defined at the sensor device. For instance, the sensor device may increase a frequency at which sensor data is transmitted to the electronic device based on monitored data (by the sensor device) meeting some predetermined criterion / criteria. Similarly, the sensor device may decrease a frequency at which sensor data is transmitted to the electronic device based on monitored data (by the sensor device) meeting some other predetermined criterion / criteria.

[0141] By way of example, consider a scenario in which the sensor device is a PIR movement detector. If no movement is detected, then the frequency at which sensor data is transmitted to the electronic device may be relatively low (i.e., a first frequency). If movement is detected, then the frequency at which sensor data is transmitted to the electronic device may be increased (i.e., to a second, higher frequency). If, subsequently, no movement is detected for a particular period of time, then the frequency at which sensor data is transmitted to the electronic device may be reduced again (e.g., to the first, lower frequency).

[0142] It has been previously explained how the communication system is configured to monitor at least one wireless communication channel for sensor data transmitted by one or more sensor devices. In preferred examples, the one or more sensor devices comprises (or consists of) only one or more sensor devices that have been paired with the electronic device. Thus, in some examples, the communication system is configured to receive pairing information that identifies each sensor device with which the electronic device is to be paired. The processing system may be configured to pair the electronic device to the sensor device(s) identified in the pairing information.

[0143] The communication system may communicate with an external device to receive the pairing information, such as a mobile device (e.g., in direct communication with the electronic device) or an end server (e.g., in communication with the electronic device over a network, e.g., the internet). Other approaches for providing pairing information to an electronic device will be readily apparent to the skilled person.

[0144] Proposed embodiments make use of a processing system. The processing system can be implemented in numerous ways, with software and / or hardware, to perform the various functions required. A processor is one example of a processing system which employs one or more microprocessors that may be programmed using software (e.g., microcode) to perform the required functions. A processing system may however be implemented with or without employing a processor, and also may be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions.

[0145] Examples of processing system components that may be employed in various embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0146] In various implementations, a processor or processing system may be associated with one or more storage media such as volatile and non-volatile computer memory such as RAM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM. The storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and / or processing systems, perform the required functions. Various storage media may be fixed within a processor or processing system or may be transportable, such that the one or more programs stored thereon can be loaded into a processor or processing system.

[0147] It will be understood that disclosed methods are preferably computer- implemented methods. As such, there is also proposed the concept of a computer program comprising code means for implementing any described method when said program is run on a processing system, such as a computer. Thus, different portions, lines or blocks of code of a computer program according to an embodiment may be executed by a processing system or computer to perform any herein described method. There is also proposed a non-transitory storage medium that stores or carries a computer program or computer code that, when executed by a processing system, causes the processing system to carry out any herein described method.

[0148] The invention envisages an electronic device in communication with sensors, where in embodiments, the electronic device operates in the same channel / band using the same contention-based communication protocol with the sensors; where the electronic device receives sensor transmissions from the sensors and that when occasioned by the sensor data received, uses this in the performance of one or more physical functions, and uses the prediction of future sensor transmission(s) in order to prioritize sensor transmission(s) relative to each other or over its own transmissions and / or perform power saving function(s) at the electronic device or the electronic device communicates either simultaneously or by time-switching in the same channels / bands using the same contention-based communication protocol with sensors, but where the sensors operate on different channels / bands, where the electronic device receives sensor transmissions from the sensors and that when occasioned by the sensor data received, uses this in the performance of one or more physical functions, and uses the prediction of future sensor transmission(s) in order to prioritize sensor transmission(s) relative to each other or over its own transmissions and / or perform power saving function(s) at the electronic device.

[0149] In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block diagram(s) or flow chart(s) may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.

[0150] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0151] A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. If a computer program is discussed above, it may be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

[0152] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An electronic device (120) comprising: a communication system (121) configured to monitor at least one wireless communication channel (151) for sensor data transmitted by one or more sensor devices (111, 112); a physical interaction (122) system configured to perform one or more physical functions responsive to sensor data transmitted by the one or more sensor devices and detected by the communication system (121); and a processing system (125) configured to, for each sensor device of the one or more sensor devices: receive, using the communication system (121), timing information from the sensor device using one or more transmissions over the wireless communication channel (121) of the sensor device (111), wherein the timing information changes responsive to a change in a frequency of transmission of the sensor data by the sensor device; predict, from the timing information, a timing of one or more future transmissions of the sensor data by the sensor device; and control the operation of the communication system (121) responsive to the predicted timing of the one or more future transmissions of the sensor data.

2. The electronic device (120) of claim 1, wherein the processing system (125) is configured to control, for each sensor device, a monitoring by the communication system (121) for sensor data transmitted by the sensor device responsive to the predicted timing of the one or more future transmissions for the sensor device.

3. The electronic device (120) of claim 2, wherein the processing system (125) is configured to, for each sensor device, only permit the communication system (121) to periodically monitor for sensor data transmitted by the sensor device at periodic intervals, wherein a periodicity of the periodic intervals is responsive to the predicted timing of the one or more future transmissions of the sensor data for the sensor device.

4. The electronic device (120) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processing system (125) is further configured to send, using the communication system (121), a respective desired frequency indicator to each sensor device over the at least one wireless communication channel (151), wherein the desired frequency indicator indicates a desired frequency of transmissions of sensor data.

5. The electronic device (120) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processing system (125) is further configured to send, using the communication system (121), a respective desired phase indicator to each sensor device over the at least one wireless communication channel (151), wherein each desired phase indicator indicates a desired temporal offset between the frequency at which the respective sensor device transmits sensor data and a baseline frequency.

6. The electronic device (120) of claim 5, wherein: the one or more sensor devices comprises a plurality of sensor devices; and the respective desired phase indicator for each sensor device indicates a different temporal offset between the frequency at which the respective sensor device transmits sensor data and a baseline frequency.

7. The electronic device (120) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, for each sensor device: the timing information comprises two or more transmissions of sensor data by the sensor device; and the processing system (125) is configured to predict a timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data responsive to a difference in time between the two or more transmissions of sensor data.

8. The electronic device (120) of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein for each sensor device: at least one transmission of sensor data from the sensor device comprises, as the timing information, a first identifier of the timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data; andthe processing system (125) is configured to predict a timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data using the first identifier of the timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data.

9. The electronic device (120) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein for each sensor device: the processing system (125) is configured to receive, using the communication system (121), at least one further communication from the sensor device, wherein the further communication is separate to any transmission of sensor data and carries a second identifier of the timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data; and the processing system (125) is configured to predict a timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data using the second identifier of the timing of one or more future transmissions of sensor data.

10. The electronic device (120) of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each at least one wireless communication channel (151) uses a physical layer in accordance with the IEEE 802.11-2012 standard or one of the later IEEE 802.11 family of standards.

11. The electronic device (120) of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each at least one wireless communication channel is a peer-to-peer communication channel.

12. An electronic system (100) comprising: the electronic device (120) of any one of claims 1 to 11; and the sensor device (111, 112) configured to: monitor one or more environmental properties; and periodically transmit sensor data over the at least one wireless communication channel (151), wherein each periodic transmission of the sensor data is responsive to the monitored one or more environmental properties.

13. A computer-implemented method (200) for controlling the operation of a physical interaction system (122) configured to perform one or more physical functions, the computer-implemented method comprising: monitoring, using a communication system (121) of an electronic device, at least one wireless communication channel (151) for any transmissions of sensor datatransmitted by a sensor device, wherein the one or more physical functions of the physical interaction system (122) are responsive to the sensor data transmitted by the sensor device and detected by the communication system (121); receiving (210) using the communication system (121), timing information from the sensor device using one or more transmission over the wireless communication channel (151) of the sensor device (111), wherein the timing information changes responsive to a change in a frequency of transmission of the sensor data by the sensor device; predicting (220), from the timing information, a timing of one or more future transmissions of the sensor data by the sensor device; and controlling (230) the operation of the communication system (121) responsive to the predicted timing of the one or more future transmissions of the sensor data.

14. A computer program product comprising computer program code means which, when executed on a computing device having a processing system (125), cause the processing system (125) to perform all of the steps of the method (200) according to claim 13.

15. A computer-implemented method (400) for controlling the operation of a physical interaction system (122) configured to perform one or more physical functions, the computer-implemented method comprising: monitoring (410) one or more environmental properties using a sensor of a sensor device (111); and periodically transmitting (410) the sensor data from the sensor device (111), over the at least one wireless communication channel (151), wherein each periodic transmission of the sensor data is responsive to the monitored one or more environmental properties; and performing the method (200) of claim 13.

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