Communication Device Operation Mode Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multiple connected communication devices often consume battery power ineffectively due to inconsistent operation modes, where one device may be in power-saving mode while others remain active, leading to reduced battery life.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where communication devices in a network share environmental data to determine and set optimal operation modes, such as low-power or standby modes, across connected devices, allowing them to wake up strategically when activity is expected to resume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If devices independently determine their own operation modes based on local environmental data, then each device can optimize its power consumption, but devices may end up in inconsistent operation modes leading to reduced overall battery life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines environmental data from multiple connected devices to make centralized operation mode decisions. Instead of each device independently determining its mode, the system aggregates data from all devices and determines a unified operation mode for the entire group, ensuring consistent power management across all devices while maximizing overall battery life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Duration of action of moving object

If devices share environmental data and synchronize operation modes, then overall battery life is maximized, but device complexity and communication overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal operation mode that applies to all connected devices simultaneously. A single determined operation mode is applied across the entire device group, eliminating the need for complex individual device configurations and reducing system complexity while achieving coordinated power management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If devices remain in active mode to ensure immediate responsiveness, then user experience is maintained, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses environmental data to predict when devices will need to wake up and perform actions in advance. By analyzing patterns in the environmental data, the system can proactively manage operation modes, keeping devices in low-power states until wake events are anticipated, thus maintaining responsiveness while reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3235305B1A method, device and system for setting operation modes of communication devices in a communication network
Publication Date: 2020.01.15 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3235305B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3235305B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3235305B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

A method for setting operation modes of a group of communication devices in a communication network, wherein the group of communication devices comprises a first communication device and at least a second communication device, the method comprises receiving information from at least one device of said group of communication devices, determining an operation mode based on the received information and setting an operation mode on at least one of the other communication devices of the group of communication devices to the determined operation mode, wherein information is communicated between the two devices including state information and/or instructions to set the operation mode of at least one of the other communication device of the group of communication devices to the determined operation mode.