Sensor Gateway Scheduling to Prevent Transmission Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for managing sensor data transmission in home automation networks, such as static and dynamic approaches, fail to effectively prevent interference between sensors using similar communication modes and do not adapt well to changes in the transmission environment, leading to inefficiencies and prioritization issues where active sensors dominate the gateway.

Innovation Solution

A gateway that implements programming cycles with selection and iteration rules to allocate transmission dates, ensuring non-interfering sequential transmissions and adapting to environmental changes by using means such as branching methods, priority levels, and flexible scheduling across different communication modes like radio, cellular, and software communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If sensors transmit data simultaneously using the same communication mode, then transmission efficiency is improved, but interference occurs between transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidinterference between transmissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission schedule by dividing sensors into different groups and assigning specific time slots to each group. This segmentation prevents simultaneous transmissions from multiple sensors using the same communication mode, thereby eliminating interference while maintaining efficient data collection from all sensors across different time periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic scheduling that adapts to changing transmission environments. The gateway monitors communication conditions and adjusts transmission slots, durations, and sensor groupings in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize transmission efficiency while preventing interference, even when environmental conditions change or new sensors are added to the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a static transmission method is used, then transmission scheduling is simplified, but the system cannot adapt to environmental changes or new sensors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling complexityVSAvoidadaptability to environmental changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic scheduling that adapts to changing transmission environments. The gateway monitors communication conditions and adjusts transmission slots, durations, and sensor groupings in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize transmission efficiency while preventing interference, even when environmental conditions change or new sensors are added to the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the gateway monitors transmission success, interference levels, and sensor activity patterns. Based on this feedback, the gateway automatically adjusts transmission schedules, reassigns time slots, and modifies sensor groupings. This closed-loop control enables the system to adapt to environmental changes while maintaining simple operation for end users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If a dynamic transmission method is used, then adaptability to environmental changes is improved, but dominant sensors may occupy the gateway predominantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to environmental changesVSAvoidcommunication fairness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments sensors into different groups and assigns each group specific time slots for transmission. This segmentation ensures that even highly active sensors must wait for their designated slots, preventing any single sensor from monopolizing the gateway. Less active sensors are guaranteed transmission opportunities in their assigned slots, ensuring fair communication access across all sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different transmission parameters (time slots, durations, priorities) to different sensor groups based on their specific characteristics and activity levels. This localized approach ensures that each sensor group receives appropriate attention and resources, preventing dominant sensors from overwhelming the system while maintaining overall system adaptability to environmental changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Productivity

If transmission slots are allocated without considering interference, then gateway utilization is maximized, but transmissions may interfere with each other

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegateway utilizationVSAvoidtransmission interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission schedule by dividing sensors into different groups and assigning specific time slots to each group. This segmentation prevents simultaneous transmissions from multiple sensors using the same communication mode, thereby eliminating interference while maintaining efficient data collection from all sensors across different time periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic scheduling that adapts to changing transmission environments. The gateway monitors communication conditions and adjusts transmission slots, durations, and sensor groupings in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize transmission efficiency while preventing interference, even when environmental conditions change or new sensors are added to the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2435793B1Transmission gateway for sensors
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 SAGEMCOM ENERGY & TELECOM SAS
  • EP2435793B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2435793B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2f
  • EP2435793B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a gateway (100) for receiving data transmissions transmitted by sensors in order to subsequently retransmit said data to a remote server, a duration and a communication mode being associated with each transmission, characterised in that said gateway is provided with a means (102, 104, 108) for implementing programming cycles allocating transmission dates (110i) to the sensors according to the communication modes of the latter, comprising: a first step of applying selection rules (102) generating, from requested transmissions (106i), at least one sequence (108) of dates (110i) allocated to transmissions selected from among said requested transmissions such that said selected transmissions can be carried out according to the communication mode thereof, in the durations thereof, without interfering with one another; and a second step of applying iteration rules (104) determining the resolution rules (102) and the requested transmissions applied during a subsequent programming cycle.