Adaptive Wireless Device Wake Scheduling for Building Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery-powered wireless devices in building control systems face a trade-off between battery life and responsiveness, as increasing battery life by reducing wake times decreases system responsiveness, particularly during user interactions.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method where battery-powered wireless devices in building control systems wake up more frequently during active user interaction periods and less frequently during inactive periods, based on learned patterns of user interaction, to maintain or extend battery life while ensuring system responsiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If battery powered devices wake up frequently to maintain system responsiveness, then system responsiveness is improved, but battery life deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem responsivenessVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the wake-up frequency adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes the communication wake-up intervals based on operational conditions: during active periods when user interaction is detected, devices wake up more frequently to ensure responsiveness; during inactive periods, devices extend their sleep intervals to conserve battery power. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between responsiveness and battery life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temporal parameter of wake-up frequency based on system state. By monitoring user interaction patterns and operational context, the system adjusts the time interval between wake-up events. When user interaction is detected, the wake-up frequency increases; when no interaction occurs, the frequency decreases. This parameter change allows the system to optimize both responsiveness and energy consumption at different times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of moving object

If battery powered devices remain in low power state for extended periods, then battery life is improved, but system responsiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidsystem responsiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic wake-up actions with variable periods. Instead of continuous operation or fixed periodic wake-ups, the system uses irregular periodic intervals adapted to operational needs. During inactive periods, devices remain in low power state for extended durations with infrequent wake-ups to maximize battery life. When user interaction occurs, the periodic wake-up pattern intensifies to restore responsiveness. This adaptive periodic action resolves the contradiction between extended low-power duration and system responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If wake-up frequency is increased during active periods, then system responsiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem responsivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of user interaction patterns and proactively adjusts wake-up frequency before user complaints about responsiveness arise. By monitoring interaction history and predicting active periods, the system pre-increases wake-up frequency during anticipated user activity, ensuring responsiveness is maintained without unnecessarily increasing energy consumption during truly inactive periods. This preliminary action allows the system to be responsive when needed while conserving energy when not needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3911033B1Wireless communication with adaptive responsiveness
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 ADEMCO INC
  • EP3911033B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3911033B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3911033B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to wireless devices, and more particularly, to battery powered wireless devices and methods of operating said devices using a scheduled communication time. A first device and a second device of a building control system may communicate wirelessly during scheduled communication times. The second device may enter a listening state during the scheduled communication times, and may enter a non-listening state between at least some of the scheduled communication times. A plurality of user inputs may cause a corresponding communication between the first device and the second device. The user inputs may identify active periods of a day that user input is more likely to occur, and inactive periods of the day that user input is less likely to occur. The second device may be maintained in the listening state more during active periods than during inactive periods.