BLE Advertising Bursts for Multi-User Event Sharing

Solution Overview

Problem

Battery-powered wireless sensors, such as those using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for IoT devices, lack the capability for multiple user connectivity to efficiently share information about state changes, which limits their functionality and energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method where a low energy device broadcasts advertisements at a slow rate to connect with other devices, transitions to high-rate broadcasting upon detecting an event, and rapidly connects and disconnects with multiple devices to exchange information about the event, allowing all connected devices to receive the state change information within a selected period.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If advertisements are broadcasted at a slow rate to conserve energy, then battery life is extended, but information about state changes cannot be efficiently shared with multiple user devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidinformation sharing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The advertisement broadcasting rate is made dynamic rather than static. The device automatically adjusts the advertising rate based on operational state: slow rate during normal operation to conserve energy, and fast rate when state changes occur to enable efficient information sharing. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for energy consumption during idle periods while maintaining high information sharing capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic fast advertising intervals triggered by state change events. Instead of continuous fast advertising which would drain battery, the device uses event-driven periodic fast advertising bursts. When a state change occurs, the device transitions to fast advertising mode for a predetermined number of intervals, then returns to slow advertising mode. This periodic action pattern allows efficient information dissemination during events while maintaining energy efficiency during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If advertisements are broadcasted at a fast rate to enable multiple user connectivity, then information sharing efficiency is improved, but battery energy is consumed rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation sharing efficiencyVSAvoidbattery energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic fast advertising intervals triggered by state change events. Instead of continuous fast advertising which would drain battery, the device uses event-driven periodic fast advertising bursts. When a state change occurs, the device transitions to fast advertising mode for a predetermined number of intervals, then returns to slow advertising mode. This periodic action pattern allows efficient information dissemination during events while maintaining energy efficiency during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The advertisement broadcasting rate is made dynamic rather than static. The device automatically adjusts the advertising rate based on operational state: slow rate during normal operation to conserve energy, and fast rate when state changes occur to enable efficient information sharing. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for energy consumption during idle periods while maintaining high information sharing capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the device connects to multiple user devices simultaneously to share state change information, then functionality is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple user connectivityVSAvoidconnection management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection management process is segmented into distinct phases: advertising phase, connection phase, and disconnection phase. During the advertising phase, the device broadcasts to multiple potential users. When connections are established, the device segments information transmission to each connected device individually. After information exchange, the device systematically disconnects from each device. This segmentation approach allows multiple user connectivity while managing complexity through structured, modular connection handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs preliminary actions by broadcasting advertisements at a fast rate before actual connections are established. This preliminary fast advertising phase allows multiple user devices to detect and connect to the low energy device simultaneously. By preparing the connection environment in advance through preliminary advertising, the device simplifies subsequent connection management and information distribution to multiple users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10085111B2User access to wireless low energy device

Publication Date: 2018.09.25 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A method of communicating with multiple other devices by a low energy device, the method including broadcasting advertisements from the low energy device to connect, the advertisements being broadcasted at a slow rate, receiving an event at the low energy device, responsive to receiving the event, broadcasting advertisements at a high rate for a selected period of time, and connecting and disconnecting with the multiple other devices to exchange information related to the event during the selected period of time.