Controlled appliance and method for interacting with a remote control device via the BLE standard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current environment control systems using the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard for remote control devices face challenges in optimizing power consumption, which limits the battery life of these devices.
Innovation Solution
A controlled appliance with a radio frequency (RF) communication interface, an actuation module, and a processing unit that sets the RF interface in scanning mode to receive RF signals from remote control devices, establishes a connection, and exchanges data to apply commands to the actuation module, optimizing power usage by reversing the typical connection initiation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the remote control device initiates BLE connections and sends advertising signals, then the remote control functionality is achieved, but the power consumption increases and battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional BLE connection initiation role: instead of the remote control device sending advertising signals and initiating connections, the controlled appliance performs these functions. The controlled appliance sends advertising signals containing its device ID, and the remote control device simply receives these signals and establishes connections when needed, dramatically reducing the power consumption of the battery-powered remote control device
2Reliability
If the remote control device continuously monitors and maintains BLE connections, then real-time control is achieved, but the battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic advertising intervals where the controlled appliance sends advertising signals at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously. The remote control device can enter low-power states between these periodic signals, maintaining the ability to receive control commands while significantly extending battery life through this periodic rather than continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The controlled appliance actively maintains its own visibility and connection readiness by continuously (or periodically) sending advertising signals, eliminating the need for the remote control device to continuously monitor for connection opportunities. This self-service approach allows the remote control device to sleep longer between activations
Data Source
AI summary
Controlled appliance and method for controlling interactions between the controlled appliance and a remote control device. The controlled appliance comprises a BLE interface and an actuation module. The controlled appliance sets the BLE interface in a scanning mode where the BLE interface is capable of receiving BLE signals from other devices. The controlled appliance receives, via the BLE interface, a BLE advertising signal from the remote control device. The controlled appliance establishes a connection between the controlled appliance and the remote control device through the BLE interface. The controlled appliance exchanges data with the remote control device via the BLE interface. Upon reception from the remote control device via the BLE interface of a command for controlling operations of the actuation module, the controlled appliance applies the command to the actuation module.