Mobile LE RF Reader Device Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless devices that utilize Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocols face battery life issues due to indiscriminate power consumption, leading to rapid battery drainage and degradation, especially in complex devices with increased processing power and communication ranges.
Innovation Solution
A distributed network of mobile low-energy RF reader devices integrated with onboard diagnostics and a wireless backhaul interface, which detects BLE beacons and manages power consumption by triggering device activation only under specific conditions, such as vehicle movement or scheduled windows, to optimize battery life and reduce charging needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless devices use increased processing power and communication ranges, then device functionality and coverage are improved, but battery consumption increases rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by allowing the wireless device to switch between active and sleep states based on operational needs. The device activates full functionality only when needed and reduces power consumption during idle periods, resolving the contradiction between maintaining versatile functionality and reducing battery consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic connection events and scheduled wake-up intervals to activate the wireless interface only at specific times. Instead of continuous operation, the device performs communications in periodic bursts, which maintains necessary functionality while dramatically reducing overall power consumption.
2Reliability
If the wireless interface operates continuously to maintain connectivity, then communication reliability is improved, but battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic connection events where the wireless interface activates at scheduled intervals to maintain connectivity. This periodic operation ensures communication reliability is preserved through regular check-ins and data exchanges, while the device remains in low-power sleep mode between these intervals, extending battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor connection status and battery levels, dynamically adjusting the frequency and duration of active periods. When communication reliability is sufficient, the system reduces active time; when reliability thresholds are approached, it increases activity, optimizing the balance between reliability and battery life.
3Reliability
If frequent battery charging is performed to maintain functionality, then device availability is improved, but battery degradation accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces charging frequency by implementing extended sleep modes and minimizing active periods. The device performs necessary communications in periodic bursts during charged operational windows, then enters deeper sleep states that extend the time between charges. This approach maintains device availability within acceptable parameters while reducing the number of charge cycles, thereby slowing battery degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters such as connection interval durations, transmission power levels, and sleep depth based on battery charge state. When battery charge is high, the device can operate more actively; when charge is low, it transitions to more conservative power-saving modes, optimizing the balance between availability and battery preservation.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the wireless device remains in idle state to conserve power, then energy consumption is reduced, but detection responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic wake-up events where the device transitions from idle sleep state to active detection state at scheduled intervals. During these periodic active windows, the device fully monitors for beacons and responds to events. This periodic activation maintains acceptable detection responsiveness for the application while keeping the device in power-saving idle state for the majority of time, significantly reducing overall power consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution prolongs battery life and minimizes battery charging requirements by judiciously managing power usage, allowing continuous operation and reducing battery degradation in BLE-enabled devices.
Implementation Method 1
mobile low-energy (LE) radio frequency (RF) reader devices to detect LE RF beacons relative to a location of each mobile LE RF reader device
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects are described that utilize a distributed network of mobile low-energy (LE) radio frequency (RF) reader devices to detect LE RF beacons relative to a location of each mobile LE RF reader device. According to an aspect, an onboard diagnostics (OBD) device is integrated with or coupled to a mobile LE RF reader device and a wireless backhaul interface. The wireless backhaul interface is configured to provide detection data that includes LE RF beacon data detected by the mobile LE RF reader device to a network server. The network server is configured to receive the detection data including detected LE RF beacon data from a plurality of OBD devices and/or mobile LE RF reader devices. Each mobile LE RF reader device can be configured to detect LE RF beacons and/or output detected LE RF beacon data according to certain trigger events as part of providing power management functionality.