Dual-Protocol Smart Device Communication for Gateway Resilience
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Smart home control systems face communication failures due to reliance on a single protocol, disruption of central gateways, and lack of dynamic switching between Wi-Fi and BLE Mesh protocols, leading to connectivity issues and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a smart device with dual communication protocols (Wi-Fi and BLE Mesh) that receives and executes control messages from multiple paths, using a deduplication mechanism to ensure actions are performed only once, and incorporating a dynamic gateway election mechanism for network adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If smart home control systems rely on a single communication protocol (Wi-Fi or BLE Mesh), then the system structure is simple, but communication reliability deteriorates due to protocol-specific failures and gateway disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The smart device is equipped with dual communication protocol support (Wi-Fi and BLE Mesh), enabling it to function across multiple communication networks. This multi-functionality allows the device to maintain communication capabilities regardless of which protocol experiences failures, thereby improving communication reliability without significantly complicating the overall system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes communication parameters by switching between different protocols based on real-time network conditions. When Wi-Fi connectivity is unavailable or unreliable, the system transitions to BLE Mesh protocol, and vice versa. This parameter change strategy ensures continuous communication reliability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through adaptive protocol selection.
2Reliability
If smart home control systems use a centralized gateway architecture, then device management is simplified, but system reliability deteriorates when the gateway goes offline
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized gateway architecture into distributed mesh network nodes. Instead of relying on a single centralized gateway, the system divides the network into multiple interconnected BLE Mesh nodes that can independently relay messages. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure associated with centralized gateways while maintaining manageable network structure through standardized mesh protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces BLE Mesh network nodes as intermediaries between control devices and smart devices. These intermediary nodes relay control messages through the mesh network, replacing the traditional centralized gateway. This intermediary layer distributes communication pathways, ensuring that if one node or path fails, messages can still reach their destination through alternative routes, thereby improving system reliability.
3Reliability
If hybrid systems support multiple protocols but use only one per command, then device complexity is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates due to lack of dynamic switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic protocol switching capability in smart devices that support both Wi-Fi and BLE Mesh protocols. The device dynamically selects which protocol to use based on real-time network conditions, message types, and availability. This dynamic adaptation ensures reliable communication by automatically transitioning to the available protocol when one fails, while the protocol management complexity is handled through automated selection algorithms rather than manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor network conditions, message delivery status, and protocol performance. Based on this feedback, the smart device automatically adjusts its communication strategy by switching between Wi-Fi and BLE Mesh protocols. This feedback-driven dynamic switching improves communication reliability while keeping protocol management complexity manageable through automated decision-making based on real-time conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a smart device and a method for wireless communication performed by the smart device. The method includes receiving a first control message that complies with a first communication protocol and a second control message that complies with a second communication protocol, wherein the first control message and the second control message indicates a same action to be performed by the smart device; executing an action indicated by one of the first control message and the second control message, wherein the first communication protocol is different from the second communication protocol.