Battery-Powered Device Transmission Timing for Energy Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery-powered smart meters and devices face limitations in functionality and connectivity due to energy constraints, as their battery life is shortened by increased energy demands from advanced capabilities, preventing them from fully utilizing new communication networks.

Innovation Solution

The techniques described minimize electricity consumption during network communications and operations, enabling battery-powered devices to efficiently discover other devices, serve as relays, ensure low-latency transmissions, and migrate between networks while optimizing battery life, allowing them to perform functions previously not possible.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If battery-powered devices adopt new capabilities and increased functionality, then device capability and communication ability are improved, but battery life is shortened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice capabilityVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action through scheduled transmission windows where battery-powered devices transmit data at specific intervals rather than continuously. The network coordinator allocates time slots and transmission opportunities periodically, allowing devices to remain dormant between transmissions, thus significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by establishing persistent network connections and scheduled communication windows that maintain device connectivity without requiring continuous power consumption. Once connected during allocated time slots, devices can exchange multiple packets without re-establishing connections, maximizing the utility of each activation period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Adaptability or versatility

If battery-powered devices join communication networks and perform advanced functions, then connectivity and functionality are improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconnectivityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic action by scheduling transmission windows at regular intervals, allowing battery-powered devices to activate only during these predetermined periods. This periodic operation pattern enables full network participation and advanced functions while constraining energy usage to specific time windows, dramatically reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making transmission parameters, power levels, and communication modes adjustable and adaptive based on device battery status, network conditions, and priority levels. The system dynamically optimizes energy consumption by varying transmission power and communication frequency according to real-time requirements, enabling advanced functions only when energy reserves permit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If battery-powered devices transmit data frequently and maintain network presence, then communication reliability is improved, but battery power depletes faster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidbattery power

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing periodic transmission windows that guarantee regular communication opportunities while maintaining reliable network presence. Devices transmit data at scheduled intervals rather than continuously, ensuring communication reliability through consistent periodic contact with the network while minimizing energy loss by remaining dormant between transmission periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by transmitting only the minimum necessary data during scheduled windows rather than continuously monitoring and transmitting all possible information. This approach maintains adequate communication reliability for essential functions while avoiding excessive energy consumption that would result from comprehensive continuous communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3170345B1Transmission timing for battery powered devices

Publication Date: 2019.11.13 ITRON GLOBAL SARL

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AI summary

Disclosed are techniques to minimize the electricity consumption of battery powered devices during network communications and performance of other functions. Example techniques include efficiently discovering other mains powered and battery powered devices within communication range of the battery powered device. In another example, techniques enable a battery powered device to serve as a relay for one or more other battery powered devices. In another example, techniques ensure that transmissions to and/or from battery powered devices are delivered efficiently and with low latency. In yet another example, techniques determine whether and under what conditions a battery powered device should migrate from one network to another. In the event of migration, example techniques minimize battery consumption associated with the migration.