In-Home Health Intercom Protocol Segmentation for Battery Conservation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in conserving battery power while efficiently communicating health events within a home environment, as traditional transmission protocols like Wi-Fi and cellular networks consume significant power and may not be necessary for finding assistance within the home.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing short-range transmission protocols like Bluetooth or Zigbee for initial device communication, followed by power-efficient internet-based protocols like Wi-Fi or cellular for wider communication, to conserve battery life and enhance the chances of quickly finding assistance within the home.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional transmission protocols like Wi-Fi and cellular networks are used for communication, then communication coverage and reliability are improved, but battery power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The communication process is segmented into two stages: initial event notification uses short-range protocols (Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee) for low power consumption, while follow-up coordination uses internet-based protocols (Wi-Fi, cellular) for reliable communication. This segmentation allows the system to use the most energy-efficient protocol for each specific communication need.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different transmission protocols based on the local communication context. For local device-to-device communication within the home environment, short-range protocols are used. For broader communication needs, internet-based protocols are deployed. This localized protocol selection optimizes energy usage while maintaining communication reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If short-range transmission protocols are used for initial communication, then battery power is conserved, but communication range and ability to reach distant devices is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Gateway devices act as intermediaries between short-range protocol devices and internet-based protocol networks. The first computing device receives notifications via short-range protocols, then transmits them through internet-based protocols to second computing devices, effectively extending the communication range while maintaining energy efficiency for the mobile device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimension communication approach (using one protocol type) to a multi-dimensional approach by combining short-range and internet-based protocols. This allows the system to operate effectively across different spatial and energy consumption dimensions simultaneously.
3Reliability
If multiple computing devices are contacted to find assistance, then the likelihood of finding someone who can help increases, but the time and energy required for communication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining a pre-configured list of potential assistance contacts and their associated computing devices. When an event occurs, the system can immediately notify multiple devices without needing to search or establish connections dynamically, reducing response time while ensuring reliable notification to appropriate contacts.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for in-home health intercom and notification. In one example, a first device receives a message comprising a description of an event of a first person in an environment from a first user device using a first transmission protocol. The first device detects that the message is an event message. The first device transmits the event message to the second computing device in the environment using a second transmission protocol, where the first device and the second device are in operable communication using a local area network. The first device receives, using the second transmission protocol, a response from the second device that the second computing device has transmitted the event message to a second user device.