Network Device State Determination via Count Value Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting networks face challenges in reliably determining the state of devices, leading to user confusion and network errors due to miscommunication and unreached devices, which can result in increased latency, congestion, and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A processor is used to determine the state of a network device by comparing count values associated with the device and a secondary network device, distinguishing between inactive and out-of-range states, and accounting for incremental properties such as message counts and time since reset, allowing for accurate identification of device failures and network adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system continuously monitors and transmits state information for all network devices, then the reliability of network communication is improved, but the network traffic and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary state determination by comparing count values before initiating full communication protocols. The processor determines device states by analyzing count value differences, allowing the network to proactively identify inactive devices and adjust communication accordingly, preventing unnecessary energy expenditure on devices that are already known to be inactive
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuously monitoring all devices with full communication protocols, the system applies partial monitoring by only actively tracking devices whose count value differences indicate potential issues. The processor selectively determines states for devices based on count value thresholds, performing monitoring actions only when necessary rather than continuously for all devices
2Measurement precision
If the system determines device state by comparing count values from multiple devices, then the accuracy of state determination is improved, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The count values serve as intermediary metrics that simplify state determination. Rather than directly analyzing complex communication patterns or device responses, the processor uses count values as intermediate indicators that capture essential state information. The difference between count values from the first and second devices provides a simplified metric for determining device activity states without requiring complex analysis protocols
3Ease of operation
If the system uses a predetermined range threshold to identify inactive devices, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision of device state detection may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The predetermined range is not a fixed threshold but a dynamic parameter that adapts based on network conditions and device characteristics. The processor adjusts the range values to balance between ease of operation and measurement precision, allowing the system to maintain simple comparison logic while improving detection accuracy through adaptive parameter selection based on observed network behavior
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention provides a processor and a method for determining the state of a first network device in a lighting network based upon information associated with the first network device and a second network device adapted to pass messages to the first network device. The first network device is associated with a first count value, and the second network device is associated with a second count value. When the first count value is within a predetermined range relative to the second count value, the first network device is determined to have been inactive. Each respective count value is based on the change or difference in an incremental property of the respective network device since a last reset of the count value.