Peer-to-Peer Mesh Network for Battery-Powered Door Locks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mesh networking technologies for wireless communication protocols like Bluetooth require additional routing nodes, which increase cost and complexity and negatively impact battery life due to the need for powered devices for quick message routing.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a peer-to-peer mesh network where each node periodically advertises its availability, switches between being a source, destination, or routing node, and enters a low power state for extended periods, eliminating the need for intermediate routing nodes and allowing nodes to balance battery life with message delivery latency by adjusting advertising periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional mesh networking uses routing nodes for quick message routing, then message delivery speed is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the routing node component from traditional mesh networks, extracting the routing function from dedicated hardware and implementing it through software protocols where any node can temporarily assume routing responsibilities when needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining message delivery capability
Solution Approach 2:
Each node in the mesh network is designed to perform multiple functions including data transmission, reception, and routing based on dynamic conditions. Nodes can switch between being endpoints and routing relays, eliminating the need for specialized routing hardware and reducing overall network complexity
2Speed
If routing nodes are deployed for quick message routing, then message delivery latency is reduced, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic advertising phases where nodes briefly wake up to advertise their availability and receive routing information, then enter extended sleep periods. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous operation required by powered routing nodes, while still enabling timely message delivery when nodes are active
Solution Approach 2:
Battery-powered nodes autonomously manage their own operation by periodically advertising and selecting routing paths without requiring external powered infrastructure. Each node self-manages its transmission and reception cycles, eliminating dependency on powered routing nodes and extending battery life
3Speed
If nodes continuously advertise availability for quick connection, then connection speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Nodes advertise their availability periodically for brief intervals rather than continuously, balancing the need for quick connection with energy conservation. The advertising phase is timed to ensure nodes are discoverable when needed while minimizing the time they remain in power-consuming transmission states
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic advertising intervals that can adjust based on network conditions and node requirements. Nodes can modify their advertising frequency and duration dynamically, allowing faster connection when urgency requires it while reducing advertising intensity to conserve battery power during normal operation
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for communicating with wireless messaging enabled door locks. The method includes advertising availability of the door lock via wireless messaging for a first period of time; triggering a message send event; determining a destination node; connecting to the destination node; sending the message to the destination node; and entering a low power state for a second period of time, wherein the second period of time is longer than the first period of time; wherein the destination node is chosen from a second door lock or a computing system.