BLE Communication Unit Power Management for Off-State Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in establishing communication between a communication apparatus and an information processing apparatus when the communication apparatus is in a power-off state, as existing automatic power-on functions are often disabled, preventing seamless communication.
Innovation Solution
An information processing method that enables automatic power-on setting for the communication apparatus via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication, allowing BLE connections even when the communication apparatus is powered off, by maintaining power supply to the short-range wireless communication unit and entering an advertising state to facilitate GATT communication and subsequent power-on.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the communication apparatus is in a power-off state to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but communication capability is lost and user operation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The communication apparatus is divided into two independent parts: the main body that can be powered off to save energy, and the wireless communication unit that remains powered on independently to maintain communication capability. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both low power consumption and continuous communication readiness simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication unit performs preliminary actions by maintaining power supply and entering advertising state even when the main body is powered off. This preliminary preparation enables the main body to be quickly activated when communication is needed, eliminating the delay of manual power-on operations.
2Ease of operation
If the automatic power-on function is enabled to facilitate communication, then communication establishment is improved, but power consumption increases due to frequent power-on
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the wireless communication unit from the main body power system, the invention enables communication functionality to persist independently of the main body's power state. This eliminates the need for automatic power-on of the entire apparatus, reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining communication capability.
3Reliability
If the wireless communication unit remains powered on to enable communication, then communication capability is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication unit operates in periodic cycles, entering low-power sleep modes when communication is not needed and activating for advertising and data transmission only when necessary. This periodic operation pattern maintains communication reliability while minimizing overall power consumption of the unit.
Data Source
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AI summary
An information processing method according to the present invention is performed by an information processing apparatus configured to communicate with a communication apparatus by a predetermined communication method, the communication apparatus being capable of communication by the predetermined communication method when in a first state or a second state having power consumption lower than that of the first state. In a case where information corresponding to second setting (in which the communication apparatus enters a third state not capable of the predetermined communication method is made) is obtained from the communication apparatus in the first state, the first setting (in which the communication apparatus enters the second state is made) is requested to be made.