BLE Remote Control Polling for Lower Power and Timely Switch Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless remote control devices for materials handling vehicles face challenges in efficient communication and power management, leading to potential delays and inefficiencies in operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for wireless communication between a wireless remote control device and a materials handling vehicle, utilizing a peripheral device with activatable switches and a central device, which employs polling mechanisms and defined communication operating modes to optimize data exchange and power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the peripheral device replies to every connection event request, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral device selectively replies to only a portion of connection event requests from the central device. Specifically, it replies based on whether activatable switches have changed state since the last reply, rather than replying to every request. This partial action approach maintains communication reliability for state changes while reducing unnecessary transmissions that consume power.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the peripheral device reduces reply frequency, then power consumption is reduced, but communication responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral device implements a feedback mechanism where it monitors changes in activatable switch states and only replies to connection event requests when such changes occur. This feedback-driven approach ensures that the central device receives timely updates about state changes while avoiding unnecessary replies that would consume power, thus balancing responsiveness with power efficiency.
3Loss of time
If polling frequency is increased, then data exchange timeliness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements selective polling where the peripheral device processes connection event requests from the central device but only generates replies when activatable switch states have changed. This partial action approach allows the central device to maintain a polling rhythm for timely data exchange while the peripheral device conserves power by responding only when necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication between a remote control device comprising a peripheral BLE device and a controller on a materials handling vehicle comprising a central BLE device. The method comprises: polling via a plurality of connection requests, by the central BLE device, communicated with the peripheral BLE device with which the central BLE device is paired. The peripheral BLE device comprising one or more activatable switches. Based on the status of the one or more activatable switches, the peripheral BLE device sending reply messages to at least a portion of the plurality of connection requests in accordance with at least one of a first or a second communication operating mode. When operating in the first communication operating mode, the peripheral BLE device replies to only a portion of the plurality of connection requests, wherein each reply message is indicative of the status of the one or more activatable switches.