Bicycle Electronic Communication Bridging BLE and Non-BLE Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional use of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) in bicycle electronic systems becomes inflexible and inadequate as the complexity and data volume increase, necessitating more flexible and efficient communication methods.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a higher-level communication protocol, referred to as the 'Upper protocol', which defines a unique data structure and payload format for data exchange among bicycle electronic system components, utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for wireless communication while supporting multiple network topologies and protocols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional BLE is used for wireless communication in bicycle electronic systems, then energy consumption is reduced and simple data transfers are enabled, but flexibility and adequacy deteriorate as system complexity and data volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication protocol is segmented into multiple layers: a lower BLE layer for wireless transmission and an upper application layer for data processing. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple wireless communication while adding complex data handling capabilities through the upper protocol layers, resolving the contradiction between communication flexibility and system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The upper communication protocol is nested within the BLE framework, with the BLE protocol serving as the foundation and the upper protocol building upon it. This nested structure enables the system to leverage the simplicity of BLE while incorporating advanced features like multiple network topologies and enhanced data exchange mechanisms, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Speed

If conventional BLE is used for data transfer, then energy consumption is minimized, but transmission speed and accuracy for critical data deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission speedVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system dynamically adjusts its operation mode based on data priority and requirements. Critical data such as gear shifting commands and health information can trigger higher-speed transmission modes when needed, while non-critical data continues to use standard BLE energy-efficient modes. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between transmission speed and energy consumption based on real-time conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The protocol changes transmission parameters such as data rate, packet size, and communication frequency based on the type and urgency of the data being transmitted. For critical data, the system increases transmission speed and accuracy parameters, while maintaining lower energy consumption for routine data exchanges, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and energy usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional BLE is used for communication, then implementation is simple, but handling of large amounts of data and multiple network topologies becomes inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork topology supportVSAvoidimplementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The upper communication protocol is designed to be universal, supporting multiple network topologies (star, mesh, hierarchical) and various communication scenarios within a single unified framework. This multi-functional protocol can handle diverse data exchange requirements across different network configurations, thereby improving network topology support without requiring separate implementation for each scenario

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The upper protocol acts as an intermediary layer between the BLE physical layer and the application layer, providing standardized interfaces and abstraction mechanisms. This intermediary structure simplifies the handling of complex data exchange scenarios by translating diverse network topologies into a unified communication model, making the system more adaptable while controlling implementation complexity through standardization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12515761B2Communication methods in a bicycle electronic system

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 CAMPAGNOLO SRL

AI summary

A bicycle-implemented communication method is applied in a first electronic component of a bicycle electronic system. The first electronic component is connected with a second electronic component in a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) network, and with a third electronic component in a non-BLE network. The method includes steps a1-a3 and/or steps b1-b3 of: a1) receiving from the third electronic component a data packet having a payload according to a non-BLE communication protocol; a2) setting to the payload a value of a characteristic of a GATT service; a3) transmitting the characteristic to the second electronic component; b1) receiving a characteristic of a GATT service from the second electronic component, the characteristic having a value; b2) encapsulating the value as payload in a data packet according to a non-BLE communication protocol; and b3) transmitting the data packet to the third electronic component.