Power Control Device for Receiving Units in Wireless Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for controlling receiving units fail to efficiently manage power consumption, leading to increased energy usage and inefficiency, particularly in devices like lamps and appliances that receive wireless or non-wireless operation control signals.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a device that detects the state of an apparatus and controls the power supply of a receiving unit based on operation control signals, switching off the power supply when the apparatus is in a specific state and switching it back on when necessary, thereby reducing average power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the receiving unit remains continuously powered to ensure immediate response to control signals, then the response time is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving unit operates in periodic cycles, alternating between active reception mode and power-down mode. The controller periodically activates the receiving unit to check for new control signals, then deactivates it during idle periods. This periodic operation maintains the ability to respond to signals while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the power state of the receiving unit based on real-time conditions. The controller monitors whether new control signals are present and dynamically switches the receiving unit between powered and unpowered states accordingly. This dynamic control optimizes the balance between response capability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by stationary object

If the receiving unit is switched off to reduce power consumption, then the average power consumption is improved, but the reliability of signal reception may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaverage power consumptionVSAvoidsignal reception reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller receives feedback about the presence of new control signals and uses this information to determine when to activate the receiving unit. This feedback mechanism ensures that the receiving unit is activated only when necessary, maintaining reliable signal reception while minimizing power consumption during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary checks to determine whether the receiving unit needs to be activated. The controller assesses whether new control signals are present before activating the receiving unit, preventing unnecessary activations and ensuring reliable reception only when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If a hierarchical control system is implemented to manage multiple receiving units, then the overall system efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into hierarchical levels with each level managing specific receiving units. The controller at each level independently manages the power states of its subordinate receiving units, dividing the overall control complexity into manageable segments. This segmentation improves system efficiency through coordinated control while keeping individual device complexity acceptable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is designed with multi-functional capabilities, serving both as a power management device and as a signal reception controller. This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated components at each hierarchical level, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2241014B1Controlling the power consumption of a receiving unit
Publication Date: 2016.11.02 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP2241014B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2241014B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2241014B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An average power consumption of receiving units (3,5,7) for controlling apparatuses (4,6,8) in response to operation control signals from transmitting units (2) may be reduced by introducing devices (1,21) for controlling the power consumption of the receiving units (3,5,7) in response to detections of states of the apparatuses (4,6,8). The devices (1) may comprise controllers (30) for controlling the power consumption in a wireless, non- wireless, physical and/or logical manner. The devices (1) may comprise monitors (33) for monitoring power consumption, currents and/or voltages at the receiving units (3,5,7) and/or the apparatuses (4,6,8). The devices (1) may comprise receivers (40), detectors (41), converters (42) and transmitters (43) for receiving the operation control signals, detecting the states of the apparatuses (4,6,8), converting the operation control signals into converted signals, and transmitting the operation control signals or the converted signals to the receiving units (3,5,7) for controlling the power consumption of the receiving units (3,5,7) via the transmitted signals, wherein the transmitted signals correspond to power control signals.