Third-Party Device Control for RF Sensing Groups

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to improve radiofrequency sensing in a group by adding a third-party device while avoiding network congestion and memory overload, which can occur with increased sensing links.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a critical sensing functionality determination unit, a contribution determination unit, and a controlling unit is used to assess the potential contribution of a third-party device and ensure it does not disrupt the critical sensing functionality, thereby controlling its addition to the radiofrequency sensing group.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If new devices are added to a radiofrequency sensing group, then sensing coverage and reliability are improved, but network traffic and memory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork traffic
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by selectively adding only those third-party devices that provide critical sensing functionalities or unique contributions, rather than adding all available devices. The controlling unit evaluates each device's potential contribution and only permits addition when it enhances sensing reliability without excessively increasing network traffic burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If new devices are added to a radiofrequency sensing group, then sensing coverage and reliability are improved, but network traffic and memory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing reliabilityVSAvoidmemory needed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by selectively adding only those third-party devices that provide critical sensing functionalities or unique contributions, rather than adding all available devices. The controlling unit evaluates each device's potential contribution and only permits addition when it enhances sensing reliability without excessively increasing network traffic burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If third party devices are added to improve sensing, then sensing performance is enhanced, but existing critical sensing functionality may be disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing performanceVSAvoidcritical sensing functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by evaluating the potential contribution of a third-party device before actually adding it to the sensing group. The controlling unit assesses whether the device's functionality complements or conflicts with existing critical sensing functionalities, and only permits addition when the evaluation confirms no disruption to critical functions. This pre-addition assessment ensures that sensing performance is enhanced without compromising system stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If more sensing links are created by adding devices, then noise immunity is improved, but network congestion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise immunityVSAvoidnetwork throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by selectively adding only those third-party devices that provide critical sensing functionalities or unique contributions, rather than adding all available devices. The controlling unit evaluates each device's potential contribution and only permits addition when it enhances sensing reliability without excessively increasing network traffic burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4352921B1Apparatus for controlling an adding of a third party device
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP4352921B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4352921B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention refers to an apparatus (130) that allows for the controlling of an adding of a third party device (121) to a sensing group (110) to improve the sensing. The sensing group consists of network devices (111, 112, 113) performing radiofrequency sensing. The third party device provides a functionality that contributes to the sensing of the sensing group. The apparatus comprises a determination unit (131) for determining a critical sensing functionality, a determination unit (132) for determining a potential contribution that the functionality of the third party device can provide to the radiofrequency sensing, when the third party device is added to the sensing group, and a controlling unit (133) for controlling the adding of the third party device to the sensing group based on the critical sensing functionality and the potential contribution.