Time Slot Communication System With Dynamic Wake-Up Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radio tag communication systems face inefficiencies due to the need for all tags to be in an active state synchronously, high data volume from preambles, and complexity in synchronizing non-synchronous tags, which increases energy consumption and reduces system efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A system where radio tags operate using a time slot communication method with unique time slot symbols, allowing tags to switch between sleep and active states based on received synchronization data signals, eliminating the need for simultaneous active states and reducing data volume by using time slot symbols for synchronization, and enabling tags to process commands efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all radio tags are kept in active state for synchronous data transmission, then synchronization is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesynchronizationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic wake-up cycles where radio tags alternate between sleep and active states. Tags wake up at predetermined intervals to receive synchronization signals and commands, then return to sleep mode. This periodic operation maintains synchronization capability while dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to continuous active operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Radio tags autonomously manage their own wake-up schedules and synchronization based on received time slot symbols. Each tag independently determines when to wake up based on its assigned time slot, eliminating the need for continuous polling or centralized control, thereby reducing overall system energy consumption while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If preambles with multiple data packets are transmitted for synchronization, then temporal deviation is corrected, but data volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemporal deviation correctionVSAvoiddata volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential synchronization information (time slot symbol indicating temporal deviation) from the preamble, separating it from other data packets. This extracted time slot symbol is sufficient for tags to correct their timing and resynchronize, eliminating the need to transmit multiple redundant data packets while maintaining precise temporal alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of transmitting complete synchronization data packets, the system uses a partial approach by sending only the critical time slot symbol that contains the necessary timing correction information. This partial action achieves the same synchronization effect with significantly reduced data volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If buffer time is allocated for synchronizing non-synchronous radio tags, then synchronization is achieved, but time efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization of non-synchronous tagsVSAvoidbuffer time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic time slot assignment where time slot symbols are assigned based on real-time synchronization needs. Non-synchronous tags can be dynamically allocated time slots without requiring fixed buffer periods, allowing the system to adapt flexibly to varying synchronization requirements and eliminate wasted buffer time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of time slot assignment from static buffer-based allocation to dynamic on-demand allocation. By modifying how time slots are assigned and managed, the system can synchronize non-synchronous tags efficiently without dedicating fixed buffer time, thereby improving time utilization while maintaining synchronization reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3657424B1Time slot communication system
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 VUSIONGROUP GMBH
  • EP3657424B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3657424B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3657424B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

System comprising a communication station for communicating with a number of radio tags using a time-slot communication method, wherein a number of time slots are available for communication in a repeating sequence per time-slot cycle and each time slot is identified by a unique time-slot symbol, wherein the communication station is configured to transmit a synchronization data signal comprising the time-slot symbol for the currently available time slot, and wherein a radio tag is configured to switch from a sleep state to an active state at a wake-up time, and to receive the synchronization data signal in the active state, and, if the received time-slot symbol indicates a time slot designated for it,to define a new wake-up time corresponding to the next occurrence of its designated timeslot in a timeslot cycle following the currently existing timeslot cycle, wherein the communication station (3, 4) is configured to instruct a radio tag (7-14) in its designated timeslot (Z1-ZN) by means of a command about a further wake-up time that does not correspond to a timeslot (Z1-ZN) usually designated for it, so that the radio tag (7-14) is available for data transmission with the communication station (3, 4) in a timeslot other than its usual one in the timeslot communication procedure (Z1-ZN).