Home Automation Node Sleep Mode Wake-Up Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home automation communication systems face challenges in reducing energy consumption, particularly for autonomous nodes that require minimal activity and are difficult to access, leading to inefficient energy usage and limited autonomy.
Innovation Solution
The method involves switching between different operating modes, including a sleep mode, active listening mode, and an intermediate listening mode, allowing nodes to conserve energy while enabling efficient communication and remote access, using logic processing units with software means to manage these modes based on predefined conditions and signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the receiving part is left permanently listening to intercept messages, then message reception reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving part alternates between active listening periods and standby periods, creating a periodic operation pattern. During active periods, the receiver is fully operational to ensure message interception. During standby periods, consumption is reduced. This periodic switching resolves the contradiction by providing message reception reliability only when needed while reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving part dynamically switches between different operational states (active listening and standby) based on communication needs. This dynamic state transition allows the system to adapt its energy consumption level to the actual communication requirements, maintaining reliability during active periods while reducing consumption during standby periods.
2Use of energy by moving object
If autonomous nodes are placed in sleep mode to reduce consumption, then energy autonomy is improved, but accessibility for joining the network deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Before transitioning to sleep mode, the node performs preliminary actions to ensure it can be properly joined when needed. The node maintains specific registration information and operational characteristics in advance that allow external devices to initiate communication and wake up the node efficiently, thus preserving accessibility while enabling energy-saving sleep mode operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where external devices can send wake-up signals to nodes in sleep mode. This intermediary communication channel allows nodes to remain energy-efficient in sleep state while still being accessible for joining or receiving urgent messages, as the wake-up signal serves as a mediator to transition the node back to active state.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the receiving part is activated at given frequencies with time synchronization, then energy consumption is reduced, but the ability to receive unscheduled messages deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where nodes exchange information about their operational schedules and availability. This feedback allows the network to coordinate message transmissions with the active periods of receiving parts, ensuring that unscheduled or urgent messages can be transmitted during known active windows, thus maintaining reception flexibility while preserving energy through scheduled operation patterns.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves avoiding joining of a communication node (NA) i.e. autonomous communication node, in a sleep mode, and receiving communication data from one of communication nodes (NB, NC) by the node (NA) in a normal operation mode. The node (NA) is joined based on receiving of a different frequency signal to cause the triggering of the node (NA) to the normal mode, in an intermediate monitoring mode, where emission of the signal by a network node consumes energy higher than emission of a communication signal towards the node (NA) when the node (NA) is in the normal mode. An independent claim is also included for a data medium comprising instructions for performing a method for operating a communication node of a home automation network.