Smart Socket BLE Mesh Network Power Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost and environmental impact of replacing traditional appliances with smart appliances, along with the inefficiencies in power management in smart home environments, particularly in areas with fluctuating electricity tariffs and limited access to renewable energy sources, necessitate a solution for optimizing the operation of existing appliances.

Innovation Solution

Implementing smart sockets that form a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh network to monitor and manage power usage, allowing for intelligent operation based on configurable thresholds, electrical load categorization, and time-sensitive protocols, enabling appliances to adjust their power modes or shut down to optimize energy efficiency and extend backup power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional appliances are replaced with smart appliances, then energy management capability is improved, but cost and environmental waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy management capabilityVSAvoidwaste from discarded appliances

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The smart socket serves multiple functions: it monitors power consumption, controls appliance operation, provides over-current protection, and enables communication within a mesh network. By making the socket multi-functional rather than replacing the entire appliance, the system achieves smart energy management while avoiding the waste associated with discarding traditional appliances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates the intelligence into the socket rather than requiring the entire appliance to be replaced. The smart socket acts as an independent control unit that can work with any traditional appliance, dividing the smart functionality from the appliance itself and allowing traditional appliances to continue being used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If smart sockets are deployed throughout the environment, then power monitoring capability is improved, but deployment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower monitoring capabilityVSAvoiddeployment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple smart sockets are combined into a mesh network where they share power monitoring data and coordinate their operations. This allows the system to achieve comprehensive power monitoring capability while distributing the cost across multiple units that can function collectively rather than requiring each unit to operate independently at high cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The smart sockets automatically monitor power consumption and make coordination decisions without requiring centralized control or additional infrastructure. Each socket independently processes power data and adjusts its operation based on configured thresholds, reducing deployment and operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If smart sockets operate in active mode continuously, then operational functionality is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational functionalityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The smart sockets dynamically adjust their operational mode based on real-time power source availability and configured thresholds. They can transition between active mode (full functionality), lower power mode (reduced functionality), and powered down state (minimal functionality), optimizing the balance between operational needs and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters such as communication frequency, processing intensity, and power delivery based on the available power source characteristics. When power is limited or expensive, the sockets adjust their parameters to reduce energy consumption while maintaining essential functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Duration of action of moving object

If smart sockets coordinate power usage during backup power operation, then backup power duration is extended, but operational flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup power durationVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The smart sockets continuously monitor the power source status and provide feedback to the network. When backup power is detected, the system receives feedback about power availability and automatically coordinates to reduce overall power consumption, extending backup power duration while maintaining the ability to adapt operations based on the feedback received.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11216051B2Smart socket power monitoring and coordination

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for smart sockets in a communication network. A smart socket can be implemented to monitor one or more power quality characteristics of a power supply providing energy to the smart home environment. Smart sockets implemented to monitor power quality characteristics can sense when power fluctuations are present in the power supply, and shut down connected devices to prevent damage. A plurality of coordinating smart sockets can be implemented to optimize power utilization when the smart home environment is operating on backup power, during low electricity tariff periods, or when operating on a renewable energy source. The plurality of coordinating smart sockets can be implemented to autonomously schedule tasks based on a context of operation of other devices in the smart home environment. The plurality of coordinating smart sockets can be implemented to achieve configurable energy targets for the smart home environment.