Coordinator Device Scheduling Groups for IoT Sensor Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IoT devices face challenges in reducing power consumption and network traffic while maintaining efficient and precise data reporting, particularly in scenarios where multiple sensor devices share the same space, leading to increased energy usage and bandwidth consumption.

Innovation Solution

A coordinator electronic device forms scheduling groups of sensor devices based on their data, optimizing reporting frequencies and entering power-saving modes to minimize unnecessary data transmission and sensing, thereby reducing power consumption and network traffic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensor devices continuously report data to ensure reliable data collection, then data reporting reliability is improved, but power consumption and network traffic increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reporting reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic reporting intervals where sensor devices transmit data at scheduled times rather than continuously. The coordinator device manages these periodic reporting cycles, allowing sensor devices to enter low-power states between transmissions while ensuring reliable data collection at appropriate intervals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Sensor devices autonomously determine their reporting schedules based on configuration parameters received from the coordinator. Each sensor device self-manages its power consumption by independently controlling when to wake up, sense data, and transmit, without requiring continuous coordination or monitoring from the coordinator device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If multiple sensor devices report data frequently to ensure comprehensive monitoring, then data collection completeness is improved, but network traffic increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata collection completenessVSAvoidnetwork traffic
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides sensor devices into multiple scheduling groups managed by different coordinator devices. This segmentation allows the network to distribute and manage traffic more efficiently, with each coordinator handling a subset of sensors. The system can selectively activate specific groups based on monitoring needs, reducing overall network traffic while maintaining comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If sensor devices operate autonomously to reduce coordination overhead, then device complexity is reduced, but scheduling efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordination overheadVSAvoidscheduling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The coordinator device serves as an intermediary between the network management system and sensor devices. It receives configuration parameters from higher-level systems and translates them into actionable scheduling instructions for sensor devices. This intermediary role simplifies the architecture by centralizing coordination logic while allowing sensor devices to operate autonomously based on received parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3869770B1A coordinator electronic device and related method
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3869770B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3869770B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3869770B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A coordinator electronic device is disclosed, the coordinator electronic device comprises a memory circuitry, a processor circuitry, and an interface circuitry. The processor circuitry is configured to obtain sensor data from a first sensor device. The processor circuitry is configured to provide to the first sensor device, based on the sensor data obtained, a first configuration parameter indicative of scheduling of reporting from the first sensor device.