Integrated Docking Stations for Resilient Mesh Networking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workspace management systems require multiple devices for tasks such as network connectivity, data transmission, attendance tracking, and data security, leading to inefficiencies and potential data leakage.
Innovation Solution
A management system comprising an access point and docking station devices with integrated wireless sensor and Wi-Fi transceivers forming a mesh network, controlled by a backend server to facilitate efficient data transmission and attendance tracking, while ensuring data security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different devices are used to satisfy workspace management needs (network connectivity, data transmission, attendance tracking, data security), then each specific function can be achieved, but the overall system complexity and number of devices increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate devices (access point, docking station, sensor, controller) into a single integrated docking station device. The access point and docking station are merged into one unit that provides both wireless network connectivity and device docking functionality, reducing the total number of devices while maintaining all required capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station device is designed with multi-functionality to perform various workspace management tasks including network access point functionality, electronic device docking, sensor data collection, and controller operations. This universal device replaces multiple specialized devices, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity
2Reliability
If traditional network topology is used without mesh network, then device configuration is simpler, but network reliability and data transmission resilience decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple docking station devices that each function as independent nodes in a mesh topology. Each docking station can independently relay data packets, creating multiple transmission paths. This segmentation distributes network traffic and provides redundancy, improving reliability while maintaining manageable configuration through modular node operations
3Reliability
If data is transmitted through multiple relay nodes in mesh network, then network coverage and reliability improve, but data transmission delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing optimal transmission paths between nodes before actual data transmission occurs. When data needs to be transmitted, the pre-established routing information is used to quickly determine the best path, minimizing decision-making delay while still utilizing multiple relay nodes for reliability
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a management system, including an access point, a plurality of docking station devices, and a backend server. Each docking station device includes an interface, a sensor, a wireless sensor network transceiver circuit, a Wi-Fi transceiver circuit, and a control circuit. The interface is configured to couple electronic devices. The sensor is configured to measure a value. The wireless sensor network transceiver circuit is configured to receive and transmit data from and to the other docking station devices. The Wi-Fi transceiver circuit is configured to receive and transmit data from and to the access point. The backend serve is communicatively connected to the access point and one or several of the docking station devices. The docking station devices are communicatively connected to each other to form a mesh network.