Electronic Device Proximity Wide Area Connectivity Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for electronic devices with embedded electronics, software, and network connectivity necessitates reducing power consumption, as these devices require more electrical power, and existing solutions are inefficient in managing power usage effectively.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device is periodically activated from a low power mode into a proximity area connectivity mode to connect with nearby devices, and upon successful connection, it returns to low power mode; if unsuccessful, it transitions to a wide area connectivity mode to establish a connection with a wide area network, allowing for efficient energy management and location awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electronic device is continuously activated to maintain connectivity and location awareness, then the reliability of location awareness is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device periodically activates from low power mode to proximity area connectivity mode to check for nearby devices, rather than continuously monitoring. This periodic activation maintains location awareness reliability while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device dynamically transitions between different connectivity modes (low power mode, proximity area connectivity mode, wide area connectivity mode) based on connection success. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliability when needed while conserving energy when possible.
2Measurement precision
If the electronic device frequently checks for proximity connections to maintain location awareness, then the location awareness accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs periodic proximity connection checks at defined intervals rather than continuously, maintaining location awareness accuracy through regular updates while reducing power consumption by allowing the device to remain in low power mode between checks.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic device autonomously manages its own power and connectivity states, transitioning between modes based on connection outcomes without external intervention. This self-service approach optimizes the balance between location awareness accuracy and power consumption.
3Reliability
If the electronic device transitions to wide area connectivity mode upon proximity connection failure, then the reliability of network connectivity is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically switches between proximity area connectivity mode and wide area connectivity mode based on connection success. This dynamic mode transition ensures network connectivity reliability by falling back to wide area connectivity when needed, while minimizing power consumption by preferring the lower-power proximity mode when available.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximity area connectivity mode acts as an intermediary between complete disconnection and wide area connectivity. This intermediate state provides local connectivity with lower power consumption, serving as a mediator that reduces the need for high-power wide area connections.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electronic device (10) comprising: a controller (12) configured to periodically activate the electronic device from a low power mode into a proximity area connectivity mode, while in the proximity area connectivity mode, the controller is configured to control proximity area connectivity of the electronic device with one or more proximity area electronic devices (20), via a wireless proximity area connection unit (14) of the electronic device trying to establish proximity area connection (15) with the one or more proximity area electronic devices, upon successful establishment of proximity area connection of the electronic device with a predetermined set of the one or more proximity area electronic devices, the controller is arranged to return the electronic device to the low power mode; upon unsuccessful establishment of proximity area connection of the electronic device with the predetermined set of the one or more proximity area electronic devices, the controller is arranged to transfer the electronic device from the proximity area connectivity mode into a wide area connectivity mode, while in the wide area connectivity mode, the controller is configured to, via a wireless wide area connection unit (16) of the electronic device, connect the electronic device to at least one wide area electronic device (30) via a wide area connection (35).