Single Beacon Transmitting Multiple Data Formats

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lighting systems with integrated beacons face challenges in supporting multiple communication protocols, leading to increased production and maintenance costs, as well as inefficiencies in energy supply and signal processing, due to the need for multiple beacons and protocols to ensure universal compatibility with different communication terminals.

Innovation Solution

A method where a single transmission device transmits radio signals with specific identification data in multiple data formats using a single radio standard, allowing communication terminals to recognize and adapt to different data formats, thereby eliminating the need for separate beacons for each protocol and reducing hardware complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple beacons with different communication protocols are deployed to ensure universal compatibility with different communication terminals, then compatibility with various terminals is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with communication terminalsVSAvoidnumber of beacons required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling a single beacon to support multiple communication protocols (Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi) simultaneously. The beacon device is designed with multi-functional capability to communicate with different types of communication terminals using different protocols, eliminating the need for separate beacons for each protocol and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple beacons with different communication protocols are deployed to ensure universal compatibility, then compatibility with various terminals is improved, but production and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with communication terminalsVSAvoidproduction and maintenance costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple protocol support into a single beacon device. Instead of producing and maintaining separate beacons for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi protocols, the invention combines both communication capabilities in one device, reducing production quantities, simplifying inventory management, and lowering maintenance costs while maintaining universal compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single transmission device transmits radio signals in multiple data formats, then adaptability to different communication terminals is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to data formatsVSAvoidenergy consumption of transmission device
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the beacon's transmission behavior adaptive rather than static. The beacon dynamically selects which data formats to transmit based on real-time detection of nearby communication terminals and their supported protocols. This dynamic adaptation allows the beacon to transmit in multiple formats when needed while conserving energy when fewer formats are required, optimizing the balance between adaptability and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3339873B1Operation of a transmission device of a lighting device having a light assembly
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 OSRAM GMBH
  • EP3339873B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3339873B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3339873B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a transmitting device (44, 46) of a lighting device (12) having a lighting device (62), wherein the transmitting device (44, 46) is arranged in or directly on the lighting device (62) and wirelessly transmits a radio signal (18, 48) with identification data specific to the transmitting device (44, 46), wherein the radio signal (18, 48) is transmitted according to exactly one predetermined radio standard, and wherein the radio signal (18, 48) contains the specific identification data in at least two different data formats.