Mesh Network Exit Control via State-Based Device Numbering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication devices in a mesh network face difficulties when exiting the network, particularly due to the order in which they depart, leading to inefficiencies in the exit process.

Innovation Solution

A control device that determines a numerical value for each communication device based on its communication state and performs exit processing in a specific order, starting from the device with the highest absolute difference in value compared to the device currently communicating with the controller, ensuring a systematic and efficient exit from the mesh network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If communication devices exit the mesh network in arbitrary order, then the exit process is simple to implement, but some devices may have difficulty leaving depending on the exit order

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of exitVSAvoidexit processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary actions by determining numbers for all communication devices based on their communication states before initiating the exit process. This pre-calculation of device rankings allows the subsequent exit processing to proceed systematically without complex real-time decisions, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of exit order from arbitrary to systematic, using the determined numbers as sorting criteria. By transforming the exit process into a numbered sequence based on communication state parameters, the system achieves both ease of operation and manageable complexity through standardized processing rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the control device determines numbers for all communication devices based on communication state, then the exit order is optimized, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexit reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs the number determination as a preliminary action before the actual exit processing begins. By pre-calculating and storing the numbers for all devices based on their communication states, the system optimizes exit reliability through systematic ordering while minimizing processing time during the actual exit operation, as the ranking information is already available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If communication devices are assigned numbers based on communication state, then systematic exit order is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexit efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a number parameter that simplifies the control of complex exit scenarios. By transforming the communication state evaluation into a discrete numbering system, the control device achieves systematic exit ordering and improved productivity while managing complexity through a straightforward numbering and sorting mechanism rather than complex real-time decision logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4456661A1Control device and control method
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4456661A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4456661A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4456661A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A control device (30) includes: a controller that, for each of a plurality of communication devices, determines a number for the communication devices according to a communication state of the communication device; and a communicator that communicates with the plurality of communication devices. The plurality of communication devices join a mesh network. When causing one or more communication devices among the plurality of communication devices to exit the mesh network, the controller performs exit processing for causing the one or more communication devices to exit the mesh network in order from a communication device for which an absolute value of a difference between (i) the number determined for one communication device, among the plurality of communication devices, currently communicating with the communicator and (ii) the number determined for each of the one or more communication devices is highest.