IoT Sensor Remote Diagnostics Over Low-Power Wireless Protocols
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to effectively diagnose and troubleshoot IoT sensors, which typically utilize wireless, low-power communication technology and protocols, which typically utilize wireless, low-power communication technology and protocols, such as Z-wave, Zigbee, Thread, Matter, Bluetooth, etc. The challenge is that IoT sensors often fail to perform as intended after installation due to environmental factors, making remote diagnostics difficult.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for remote diagnostics of IoT sensors using a hub and standardized, local-area wireless communication protocols, allowing remote execution of diagnostic commands and responses via encapsulated messages, enabling remote diagnostics without requiring changes to the shell client.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If IoT sensors use wireless low-power communication protocols (Z-wave, Zigbee, Bluetooth), then power consumption is reduced and device portability is improved, but remote diagnostic capability deteriorates because these protocols lack built-in remote execution functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism by extending the wireless communication protocol to include remote diagnostic command execution capability. The sensor device can now execute diagnostic commands received over the wireless protocol without requiring physical connection or higher power consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between low power usage and remote diagnostic accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication protocol is enhanced to serve multiple functions: both standard low-power data transmission and remote diagnostic command execution. This multi-functionality allows the same communication infrastructure to support both power-efficient operation and remote troubleshooting capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If IoT sensors are installed at end-user locations in various environments, then device deployment flexibility is improved, but diagnostic accuracy deteriorates because the actual environmental conditions (RF interference, physical obstacles, temperature, humidity) cannot be replicated at the manufacturer location
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device performs self-diagnosis by executing diagnostic commands locally at the end-user location. The device autonomously tests its own performance under actual environmental conditions and reports results remotely, eliminating the need for manufacturer-side environmental replication and ensuring diagnostic accuracy reflects real-world conditions
3Ease of operation
If diagnostic commands are executed locally at manufacturer location, then diagnostic control is improved, but time and cost increase due to device shipping, environment re-creation, and loss of operational context
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of bringing the diagnostic tool (manufacturer equipment) to the device location, the patent inverts the approach by enabling the device to execute diagnostic commands remotely over the wireless network. This eliminates shipping time, environment re-creation costs, and preserves the device's operational context while maintaining full diagnostic control
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and apparatus is described for enabling remote diagnostics of an electronic device installed in the field. Remote diagnostic commands from a remote computer system are received by a hub, where they are placed into a payload of an encapsulated message, and then transmitted to an electronic device in accordance with a standardized, local-area wireless communication protocol. The electronic device receives the encapsulated message and executes the remote diagnostic command in the payload in accordance with a custom extension to the standardized, local-area wireless communication protocol. A response to the remote diagnostic command is placed into a payload of another encapsulated message and then transmitted to the hub. The hub retrieves the diagnostic response in the payload and constructs a diagnostic response network packet in accordance with the extension and sends the diagnostic response network packet to the remote computer system.