Wireless Sensor Pre-stored Connection Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless sensors consume excessive power due to the time required to establish a connection with an access point for data transmission over WiFi networks, such as 802.11n or 802.11ac, which is significantly longer than the actual data transmission process.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a wireless sensor to initiate a data transfer session with an access point by using pre-stored connection settings and IP address information, eliminating the need to scan for the access point and obtain an IP address during each data transfer session, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connection establishment procedures (scanning and IP address obtaining) are used, then the wireless sensor can establish a complete network connection, but the connection establishment time becomes significantly longer than data transmission time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-obtaining and storing connection settings (SSID, security parameters) and IP address information during device initialization or previous operations. When data transmission is needed, the sensor directly uses these pre-stored parameters to establish connections without performing time-consuming scanning or IP address acquisition procedures, thus resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and establishment time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by storing copies of connection settings and network configuration parameters in the sensor's memory. Instead of re-acquiring these parameters during each data transmission session, the sensor retrieves stored copies, which dramatically reduces connection establishment time while maintaining connection reliability
2Productivity
If the wireless sensor operates in active state to establish connections and transmit data, then data transmission can be performed, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring connection parameters and IP address information during initialization. This allows the sensor to quickly establish connections when needed without prolonged active state operation, thereby maintaining data transmission capability while reducing overall power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by having the sensor operate in alternating active and low-power states. The sensor activates only when data transmission is required, performs quick connection establishment using pre-stored parameters, transmits data, and then returns to low-power state. This periodic operation pattern maintains productivity while significantly reducing average power consumption
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wireless sensor scans for access points to discover connection settings, then the sensor can adapt to different networks, but the scanning process consumes additional time and power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing network discovery and storing connection settings during device initialization or setup phase. Once the connection parameters (SSID, security type, IP address) are obtained and stored, the sensor can directly connect to known networks without repeated scanning, thus eliminating ongoing energy consumption while maintaining adaptability through initial network discovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the network discovery and scanning operations from the regular data transmission process. By separating the one-time setup phase (where scanning occurs) from the ongoing data transmission phase (where pre-stored parameters are used), the patent eliminates unnecessary repeated scanning and associated energy consumption while preserving network adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes techniques and apparatuses for low-energy sensor wireless connection. In some aspects, a data transfer session is initiated between a wireless interface of a sensor and an access point of a wireless network. The wireless interface is then associated with the access point to establish a wireless network connection in accordance with a setting usable to establish the wireless network connection, and without having to scan for the access point to discover the setting. The wireless interface is then configured to communicate with the access point over the wireless network connection using an IP address, and without obtaining the IP address during the data transfer session. Data corresponding to an environmental condition surrounding the sensor is then transmitted to the access point over the wireless network connection. After the data is transmitted to the access point, the wireless interface is deactivated to terminate the data transfer session.