Gateway Power Management for Local Network Equipment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for managing power consumption in local communications networks are inadequate, particularly in situations where electricity supply is disrupted, as they rely on mediation with electricity grid information systems and fail to adapt power consumption and supply sources effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method implemented by a gateway that manages power consumption by obtaining information on power supply sources and equipment consumption levels, allowing for adaptive adjustments in power consumption and supply sources, including switching between external and internal energy sources, to optimize energy use and cost control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mediation with electricity grid information systems is used to manage power consumption, then information on power supply sources can be obtained, but the system fails when electricity supply is cut off due to grid faults

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption management reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway acts as an intermediary that collects power supply information from multiple sources (electricity grid, local generators, battery systems) and manages power distribution locally. This eliminates direct dependency on grid information systems while maintaining comprehensive power management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-establishes multiple power supply sources and backup configurations before grid failures occur. The gateway maintains information about alternative power sources (local generators, battery systems) in advance, enabling seamless switching when grid power is interrupted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If the gateway adapts power consumption level of equipment, then energy cost control is improved, but equipment functionality may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy costVSAvoidequipment functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway applies different power management strategies to different equipment based on their priority levels and functional importance. Critical equipment maintains full functionality while non-critical equipment undergoes consumption reduction, achieving cost savings without compromising essential services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements partial power consumption reduction by adjusting operational parameters (such as reducing transmission power, lowering processing frequency) rather than complete shutdown, maintaining minimum equipment functionality while achieving significant energy cost reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the gateway modifies power supply sources for equipment, then power supply flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply flexibilityVSAvoidgateway complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously performs routing, power management, information collection from multiple power sources, and equipment control. This consolidates complexity into a single universal device rather than requiring separate systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges multiple power supply sources (grid power, local generators, battery systems) into a unified power management architecture controlled by the gateway. This consolidation simplifies the overall system by integrating what could have been separate complex systems into a single coordinated framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If real-time power consumption monitoring is implemented, then energy management precision is improved, but information processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption monitoring precisionVSAvoidgateway energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway implements continuous power consumption monitoring at strategic points in the network, maintaining precise measurement capability while minimizing redundant measurements. By monitoring power flow at key junctions rather than individually at each equipment point, the system achieves comprehensive monitoring with reduced processing load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20240313989A1Method for managing the power consumption of equipment in a local communications network, corresponding management device and computer program

Publication Date: 2024.09.19 ORANGE SA

AI summary

A method of managing the power consumption of a local communications network to which at least one piece of user equipment is connected, the local communications network being managed by a gateway for access to a remote communications network. The method is implemented by the gateway and includes: obtaining at least one piece of information relating to at least one power supply source of the local communications network; obtaining at least one piece of information relating to a power consumption level of the at least one piece of equipment, and commanding the power consumption level of the at least one piece of equipment and/or the at least one power supply source to be modified on the basis of the information obtained.