Plug-in Connector Sound Detection Reduces Communication Traffic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plug-in connectors with communication functions face challenges in reducing communication traffic, which affects their efficiency and reliability in device control systems.

Innovation Solution

A plug-in connector system that includes a sound collector, determination processor, and transmitter, which identifies specific sounds and transmits notification signals to a server, reducing data transmission and enabling continuous monitoring without battery replacement, while allowing for accurate event detection and device control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plug-in connectors transmit detailed measurement data continuously, then communication traffic increases, but data transmission efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information (event occurrence, device identification) from the full measurement data set, transmitting only when specific events are detected rather than continuously transmitting all data. This reduces communication traffic while maintaining reliability for critical events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic event detection and transmission only when events occur, rather than continuous data transmission. The connector monitors continuously but transmits intermittently based on event triggers, improving transmission efficiency while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If plug-in connectors process and analyze sound data locally, then event detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevent detection accuracyVSAvoidconnector structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary sound analysis and event detection locally within the plug-in connector before transmission. The connector pre-processes sound data to identify events, extracting essential information locally while sending only results to the server, thus improving detection accuracy without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If plug-in connectors use wireless communication for data transmission, then installation ease improves, but communication traffic increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation convenienceVSAvoidcommunication data volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only critical event information from full measurement data for wireless transmission. Instead of transmitting continuous detailed data over the wireless channel, only essential event markers and device identifiers are sent, reducing communication traffic while maintaining installation convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The system effectively reduces communication traffic, enhances event detection accuracy, and simplifies the plug-in connector design, enabling continuous operation and improved security and convenience in device control applications.

Implementation Method 1

a sound collector 11 configured to collect sound generated around the plug-in connector 1 to generate a sound signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound collection and conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP3312946B1Insertion connector and device control system using same
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3312946B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3312946B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3312946B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B

AI summary

It is an object of the present invention to provide a plug-in connector which enables a reduction in communication traffic. A plug-in connector (1) of an aspect of the present invention is a plug-in connector for wiring, including an attachment plug and a plug receptacle. The plug-in connector (1) includes a sound collector (11), a determination processor (12), and a transmitter (14). The sound collector (11) collects an ambient sound to generate a sound signal in the form of an electric signal. The determination processor (12) determines a presence or absence of an event involving generation of a specific sound based on the sound signal. The transmitter (14) transmits a notification signal based on a determination result by the determination processor (12).