IoT Peer Device State Management for Passive Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved systems and methods to efficiently activate and read ambient or passive devices, such as IoT devices, which currently face challenges in energy harvesting and configuration management.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a first device that receives configuration information from a control unit, setting its state accordingly, and monitoring triggers to control changes in its state, allowing it to serve as a peer device in various states including activation, reading, and relay states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If devices use activation signals to activate ambient or passive devices, then energy harvesting is enabled for passive devices, but system complexity increases due to multiple device states and peer device management
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments device functionality into distinct states (activation state, reading state, activation eligible state, reading eligible state) and assigns specialized peer devices to handle specific tasks. This segmentation allows passive devices to remain simple while active peer devices manage the complexity of activation and reading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Peer devices act as intermediaries between the control unit and ambient/passive devices. They receive configuration information from the control unit, manage state transitions, and coordinate activation signals, thereby reducing the complexity burden on passive devices while enabling energy harvesting functionality.
2Productivity
If peer devices are assigned specific states and durations for serving ambient devices, then device functionality is optimized, but adaptability decreases in dynamic and mobile environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic state management where peer devices can transition between different states (activation, reading, activation eligible, reading eligible) based on monitored triggers. Configuration information includes duration parameters that allow automatic state expiration and reconfiguration, enabling the system to adapt to changing environmental conditions and device availability in mobile scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors triggers related to device state changes, mobility conditions, and peer device availability. Based on this feedback, the control unit can reconfigure peer devices with updated duration parameters and state assignments, allowing the system to maintain optimized functionality while adapting to dynamic conditions.
3Speed
If multiple triggers are monitored for state changes, then system responsiveness is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different peer devices monitor different subsets of triggers based on their current state and assigned responsibilities. For example, devices in activation state monitor triggers related to activation signals, while devices in reading state monitor triggers related to data transmission. This localized monitoring reduces overall processing overhead while maintaining system responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Peer devices autonomously evaluate monitored triggers against their current state and configuration parameters to determine when state changes are appropriate. This self-service approach eliminates the need for constant control unit intervention, reducing processing overhead while maintaining responsive state transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program are described comprising: receiving, at a first device, configuration information from a control unit, wherein the configuration information comprises a configured state of the first device and a duration for serving as one of a plurality of peer devices; setting the state of the first device to the configured state in response to reception of configuration information from said control unit; monitoring one or more triggers; controlling a change in the state of the first device in response to activation of one or more monitored triggers; and communicating any change of state of the first device to one or more of said peer devices.