Communication Apparatus Mode Control for Remote Wake-Up Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication apparatuses in low power consumption modes face challenges in recovering from remote sites due to connection issues, such as distance limitations and packet loss, which hinder their ability to switch back from sleep mode effectively.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with a mode control unit and determination unit that switches between operation modes based on the receipt of a predetermined packet, allowing it to assess and switch back to a non-sleep mode if remote activation is possible, using methods like WoL or BLE to manage power consumption and connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the communication apparatus maintains continuous connection to perform communication of high immediacy, then communication responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication apparatus periodically transitions between wake states and sleep modes instead of maintaining continuous connection. The determination unit checks packet reception capability before mode switching, and the apparatus wakes up at predetermined intervals to receive packets, achieving both power savings and communication responsiveness through periodic operation cycles
2Use of energy by moving object
If the communication apparatus switches to sleep mode to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to receive remote activation packets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The determination unit performs preliminary assessment of packet reception capability before the apparatus transitions to sleep mode. By determining in advance whether the apparatus can reliably receive wake-up packets from remote sites, the system ensures that remote activation functionality is validated before power-saving mode is engaged, preventing activation failures
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit provides feedback information about packet reception capability to the mode control unit. This feedback mechanism allows the mode control unit to make informed decisions about mode switching, ensuring that transitions to sleep mode only occur when remote activation reliability is confirmed, thus maintaining reliable wake-up functionality
3Use of energy by moving object
If the communication apparatus uses BLE for remote activation, then power consumption during activation is reduced, but connection reliability deteriorates due to distance limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operational parameters by selecting different communication protocols (BLE vs. Wi-Fi) based on distance conditions. The determination unit assesses whether packet reception is feasible given the current distance, and the mode control unit adjusts the activation method accordingly - using BLE for short distances and Wi-Fi for longer distances, optimizing both power consumption and connection reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus includes a memory that stores instructions, and a processor that executes the instructions. The instructions are executed to transmit to another communication apparatus a notification for requesting a predetermined type of packet which is used by the communication apparatus for changing an operation mode of the communication apparatus from a first operation mode to a second operation mode higher than the first operation mode in power consumption, and to determine, in a case where the predetermined type of packet is received from the another communication apparatus during a test time period according to the notification, the first operation mode as an operation mode of the communication apparatus after the test time period. The operation mode of the communication apparatus is set to the first operation mode according to such a determination.