Multi-Protocol Reachability Detection for Wireless Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In connected lighting systems, determining the cause of a device being unresponsive over a wireless connection is challenging due to issues like devices being out of range or powered off without clear feedback, making it difficult for users to diagnose and resolve connectivity problems.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device and method that utilize multiple wireless communication protocols (e.g., Zigbee and Bluetooth) to determine reachability, providing status indications through visual, audio, or haptic feedback, allowing users to identify and potentially resolve connectivity issues by determining if a device is reachable via one protocol but not another, and transmitting configuration messages to adjust settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single wireless communication protocol is used to control lighting devices, then the system is simpler to operate, but it becomes difficult to determine the root cause when devices are unresponsive
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multiple wireless communication protocols (Bluetooth and Zigbee) within the same lighting control system. The mobile device can communicate with lighting devices through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for proximity detection and configuration, and through Zigbee for standard lighting control. This multi-functional approach allows the system to determine device reachability through multiple channels, enabling users to distinguish between devices that are out of range versus devices that are powered off, thereby resolving diagnostic difficulties while maintaining operational simplicity through a unified user interface.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If multiple wireless communication protocols are used to determine reachability, then diagnostic capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves as an intermediary that manages multiple communication protocols. It contains both a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module and a Zigbee communication module, along with a processor that coordinates between them. The system uses BLE for initial device discovery, proximity detection, and configuration updates, then transitions to Zigbee for standard lighting control. This intermediary architecture allows the system to leverage multiple protocols without requiring the lighting devices themselves to be complex, as the mobile device handles protocol translation and coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module for proximity detection and configuration, a Zigbee communication module for lighting control, and a processor that coordinates between them. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific protocol while working together through a unified control logic. The system first uses BLE to determine if a device is reachable (indicating it is powered on and in proximity), then uses Zigbee for actual lighting control, dividing the diagnostic and control functions across separate communication channels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If configuration messages are transmitted to adjust device settings, then device functionality is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic communication only when necessary. The mobile device uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to periodically check device reachability and transmit configuration messages only when connectivity issues are detected or when users actively request device control. During normal operation, the system maintains connectivity through intermittent status checks rather than continuous communication. Configuration updates are transmitted in periodic batches rather than continuously, allowing devices to enter low-power states between communication events while maintaining configurability when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic device (1) for determining a reachability of a further electronic device (15-18) over a wireless connection. The further electronic device is part of a wireless network. The electronic device is configured to determine whether the further electronic device is reachable using a first wireless communication protocol (31), determine whether the further electronic device is reachable using a second wireless 5 communication protocol (33), and provide an indication of a status of the further electronic device based on the reachability of the further electronic device using the first wireless communication protocol and the reachability of the further electronic device using the second wireless communication protocol.