Dynamic Mesh Network Zone Designation for Moving Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mesh network technologies fail to effectively handle movement of devices and controllers within the network, leading to inefficiencies in power consumption and communication routes.
Innovation Solution
A mesh network system where devices periodically send positioning messages to determine their zone designations, allowing dynamic changes in response to movement and maintaining power-saving benefits by redesignating zones based on communication capabilities with the controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If devices are arranged in fixed zones with static route assignments, then power consumption is reduced through efficient routing, but the network cannot respond to moving devices or controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic zone determination where devices periodically send positioning messages and receive zone designation assignments that are updated based on current network conditions. This allows the zone structure to adapt to moving devices and controllers while maintaining the power-saving benefits of zone-based routing, resolving the contradiction between static efficiency and dynamic adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices send frequent positioning messages to determine zone changes, then the network responds accurately to movement, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic positioning messages where devices send zone determination requests at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. This periodic approach maintains accurate zone information for responding to movement while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring, balancing adaptability with energy efficiency
3Productivity
If the network maintains strict zone hierarchy for power saving, then communication efficiency is improved, but alternative routes are not utilized when primary routes fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-determines alternative communication routes between zones during the zone setup phase. When a device's primary communication route fails, the system can immediately switch to pre-established alternative routes without requiring complex real-time routing calculations, thus maintaining both communication efficiency and reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless mesh network comprises a controller and a plurality of wireless networked devices arranged to transmit messages to and receive messages from the controller. The plurality of devices are arranged in zones, such that a device that is arranged to communicate directly with the controller is designated a “Zone 1” device and a device that is arranged to communicate with the controller via a “Zone 1” device is designated a “Zone 2” device. One or more or each of the plurality of devices periodically sends a positioning message to the controller to determine its zone and if it can communicate directly with the controller it determines that it is a “Zone 1” device and if it cannot communicate directly with the controller, but it can communicate with the controller via a “Zone 1” device and therefore arranged to do so, it determines that it is a “Zone 2” device.