Ambient internet of things resource request with state transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IoT devices face challenges with battery replacement and maintenance costs, environmental issues, and interference problems, particularly in harsh environments and large-scale networks, limiting their deployment and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) devices that harvest energy from the environment, such as wireless radio waves, motion, and vibration, enabling battery-less or low-energy storage operation, with resource management for efficient communication and interference reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If battery-powered IoT devices are deployed, then device functionality is enabled, but maintenance costs and operational complexity increase due to battery replacement and recharging
Solution Approach 1:
The IoT device performs self-service by harvesting energy from the ambient environment (RFID readers, wireless communications, motion, vibration) to power its operations autonomously without external battery replacement or recharging, eliminating maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical battery system with energy harvesting mechanisms that convert environmental energy (electromagnetic waves, motion, vibration) into electrical energy, substituting the need for physical battery replacement with continuous ambient energy conversion
2Device complexity
If RFID technology is deployed for asset identification, then device complexity is reduced and form factor is minimized, but reading range is limited requiring handheld scanning or costly infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The AIoT device serves multiple functions: it can be read by traditional RFID readers at close range, simultaneously function as a wireless communication device for longer-range connectivity, and provide both identification and data transmission capabilities, eliminating the need for separate systems
3Area of stationary object
If RFID readers are densely deployed to expand coverage, then reading capability is improved, but interference between readers increases and network capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless communication networks (cellular, Wi-Fi, LoRaWAN) as intermediary layers between AIoT devices and central servers, allowing devices to communicate over longer distances without requiring dense RFID reader deployment, thereby reducing interference while expanding coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional RFID reader placement (requiring dense spatial distribution) to multi-dimensional communication by utilizing different wireless communication protocols and frequency bands, enabling coverage expansion without increasing reader density
4Reliability
If battery-less AIoT devices are deployed, then maintenance costs are reduced and environmental impact is minimized, but energy harvesting capability and communication efficiency must be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The AIoT device dynamically adjusts its operational mode, communication protocol, and data transmission frequency based on available harvested energy levels, transitioning between low-power sleep modes and active communication states to maximize service life while maintaining functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates energy harvesting feedback mechanisms that monitor available energy levels and adjust communication behavior accordingly, ensuring operations remain within energy constraints while maximizing utility of harvested energy
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables maintenance-free, long-service-life IoT devices suitable for harsh environments and large-scale networks, facilitating efficient data transmission and device management, reducing maintenance costs and enhancing network scalability.
Implementation Method 1
Ambient internet of things (AIoT) devices that harvest energy from the environment, such as wireless radio waves, motion, and vibration
Implementation Method 2
Ambient internet of things (AIoT) devices that harvest energy from the environment, such as wireless radio waves, motion, and vibration
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, and systems for ambient internet-of-things (AIoT) communications implemented in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). An indication of first resources for AIoT communications and an indication of a threshold number associated with the first resources are received. An indication of an AIoT procedure which indicates at least one AIoT device associated with the AIoT procedure is received. A request for additional resources for the AIoT communications is transmitted responsive to a quantity associated with the at least one AIoT device exceeding the threshold number. An indication of second resources is received responsive to the request for additional resources. An indication of the second resources is transmitted. In some implementations, the quantity associated with the at least one AIoT device includes a number of the at least one AIoT device. In some implementations, the quantity associated with the at least one AIoT device includes a number of failed prior communications.