Energy Harvesting State Machine for Timed IoT Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3GPP Rel-18 technologies do not adequately address ultra-low complexity, small form factor, maintenance-free, and long-life cycle use cases for IoT devices that rely on energy harvesting, particularly in managing communication sessions without conventional power sources and human intervention.

Innovation Solution

An energy harvesting electronic device with a transmitter, receiver, and energy storage, controlled by a processor that manages energy thresholds and timers to enable/disable communication components based on available energy levels, optimizing power usage for efficient communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If energy harvesting devices operate without conventional power sources, then device portability and environmental adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases due to energy management requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidenergy management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic state machine management that adapts device operational states based on real-time energy availability. The system transitions between active, idle, and sleep states dynamically, adjusting communication operations to match harvested energy levels rather than following fixed operational patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The energy harvesting device autonomously manages its own power resources through self-monitoring of energy thresholds and automatic state transitions. The device independently determines when to activate communication functions, when to harvest energy, and when to enter low-power modes without external control, enabling maintenance-free operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If communication components are continuously enabled, then communication reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic monitoring of energy thresholds with state transitions triggered only when specific energy conditions are met. Rather than continuous operation, the communication components activate in periodic cycles synchronized with energy availability, using timers to manage transition timing and ensuring reliable communication only when energy requirements are satisfied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If energy thresholds are set low for frequent operation, then operational frequency is improved, but energy depletion risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational frequencyVSAvoidenergy sustainability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of energy levels before activating communication functions. Energy thresholds are evaluated in advance, and the state machine only transitions to active states when sufficient energy is predicted to be available, preventing operations that would lead to energy depletion and ensuring sustainable long-term operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If timers are used to manage state transitions, then energy management precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy management precisionVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the energy management system into distinct, well-defined states (active, idle, sleep) with clear transition conditions. Each state has specific timer requirements and energy threshold levels, creating a modular state machine that is easier to implement and maintain than a continuous control system, while still achieving precise energy management through discrete state transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250254622A1Implementing a state machine to manage the operations of an energy harvesting device in a communication network

Publication Date: 2025.08.07 SHARP KK

AI summary

An energy harvesting electronic device that includes a transmitter, a receiver, an energy storage device and a processor is provided. The processor is configured to determine that the energy stored in the energy storage is below a first threshold indicating the amount of energy required for receiving a message. The processor determines a first amount of time required for the stored energy to exceed the first threshold. The processor determines a second amount of time required for the stored energy to exceed a second threshold indicating the energy required for transmitting a message. The processor disables the receiver and transmitter, starts a first timer that expires after the first amount of time; start a second timer that expires after the second amount of time, and enables the receiver and keep the transmitter disabled after an expiration of the first timer expires and prior to an expiration of the second timer.