Orphaned Utility Sensor Discovery Through Periodic Advertisement Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Connected utility sensors that fail to establish or maintain communication with a central utility system are not detected, leading to orphaned devices that cannot report sensed parameters, resulting in incomplete data collection and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A utility sensor module broadcasts an advertisement signal according to a communication protocol, enters a modified sleep mode if no response is received within a predetermined time, and periodically transmits the signal at a second transmission time to conserve energy while attempting reconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sensor module continuously broadcasts advertisement signals to ensure communication, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication connection reliabilityVSAvoidsensor module energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor module transitions from continuous broadcasting to periodic broadcasting of advertisement signals. The system implements a sleep mode where the communication interface periodically wakes up to broadcast signals at predetermined intervals rather than continuously, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining the ability to establish communication connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of the communication interface between active broadcasting and sleep modes. Based on communication status and environmental conditions, the sensor module can transition between these states, optimizing the balance between connection reliability and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If the sensor module enters sleep mode to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the ability to discover orphaned devices is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor module energy consumptionVSAvoidorphaned device detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor module implements periodic broadcasting of advertisement signals during sleep mode at predetermined intervals. This allows the system to maintain periodic awareness of its communication status and detect orphaned devices while consuming significantly less energy compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the sensor module monitors for response messages from external devices after broadcasting advertisement signals. This feedback loop enables the sensor to detect whether it is in communication with external devices or has become orphaned, even while operating in energy-saving sleep mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If the sensor module broadcasts advertisement signals at frequent intervals, then the responsiveness to reconnection opportunities is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconnection responsivenessVSAvoidsensor module energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the broadcasting interval based on communication status. When in sleep mode, the sensor module broadcasts at longer intervals to conserve energy. When communication issues are detected or reconnection opportunities arise, the system can increase broadcasting frequency to improve responsiveness, optimizing the balance between speed and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12455175B2Systems and methods for orphaned sensor discovery and reporting

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 ACLARA TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A utility sensor module includes one or more sensors, a communication link, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to broadcast an advertisement signal associated with a communication protocol for a first transmission time. The advertisement signal is configured to cause an external device to transmit a response message. The electronic processor is further configured to determine whether the response message is received within a predetermined time period, and in response to determining that the response message was not received within the predetermined time period, operating in a modified sleep mode. Operating in the modified sleep mode includes modifying the operation of the communication interface to broadcast the advertisement signal at a periodic interval, such that the advertisement signal is only broadcast at the periodic interval for a second transmission time.