Dynamic IoT Connection Control for Event-Driven Power Savings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current IoT devices face inefficiencies in power consumption and resource usage due to continuous network connections, especially in mobile use scenarios, which can be costly and prohibitive, and lack control over data communication volumes.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method to dynamically control communication connections between IoT devices and remote devices only upon detection of specific events, such as collisions or mechanical failures, allowing for temporary network access to exchange relevant data and then terminating the connection to conserve resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If IoT devices maintain continuous network connections for mobile use scenarios, then device availability and communication reliability are improved, but power consumption and operational cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication connection reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic connection management where the IoT device transitions between connected and disconnected states based on event detection. The device establishes a network connection only when a predefined event occurs, maintains connectivity during the event response period, and terminates the connection afterward. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt connection status to actual operational needs rather than maintaining continuous connectivity, thereby reducing power consumption while ensuring reliability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic event detection and connection establishment rather than continuous connection maintenance. The device periodically monitors for predefined events and establishes connections only when events are detected, creating a periodic action pattern that replaces continuous operation. This reduces the duration of active network connections and associated power consumption while maintaining reliability for event-driven communications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If IoT devices maintain continuous network connections to ensure data exchange capability, then communication availability is improved, but computing resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata communication availabilityVSAvoidcomputing resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts network connection status based on event detection, establishing connections only when data exchange is required and terminating them afterward. This dynamic connection management reduces the computing resources needed for maintaining continuous network protocols, handshakes, and data transmission, while ensuring productivity is maintained during critical event response periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If IoT devices use low-power states to reduce energy consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but network access capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidnetwork access capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary event detection and preparation before establishing network connections. When an event is detected, the device has already identified the need for communication and prepared the connection parameters, allowing it to quickly establish network access without prolonged power consumption. This preliminary action enables the device to transition efficiently from low-power state to connected state only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic state transitions where the device operates in low-power states during normal conditions and only activates network communication capabilities when predefined events occur. This dynamic approach allows the device to maintain ease of network access when needed while maximizing power efficiency during idle periods, resolving the contradiction between power consumption and network accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3874725B1Dynamic control of communication connections for computing devices based on detected events
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3874725B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3874725B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3874725B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The techniques disclosed herein provide improvements over existing systems by dynamically controlling communication connections between two or more computing devices based on the detection of specific events. Instead of requiring a device, such as an IoT device, to be continually connected to a network or a remote device, the techniques disclosed herein enable the device to remain offline until a specific event is detected. The disclosed technologies can avoid always-on network configurations while providing a desired functionality for an IoT device. For instance, some devices only connect with other computing devices or at network in response to detection of an event, then disconnect after an exchange of specific information. Such technologies can significantly reduce the power consumption of a device by only invoking connections at appropriate times.