Unified Communication Control for Zero-Power and Powered IoT Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IoT devices with zero power and non-zero power components require separate control devices, leading to high communication costs due to the need for additional hardware like RFID card readers, which increases hardware and communication expenses.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing different resources for communication between control devices and zero power devices versus non-zero power devices, ensuring no overlap, allowing the same control device to communicate with both types without interference, thus reducing communication costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate control devices are used for zero power devices and non-zero power devices, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and communication cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol device quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control functions for zero power devices and non-zero power devices into a single control device. The control device includes both a first communication interface for communicating with non-zero power devices and a second communication interface for communicating with zero power devices, allowing one control device to manage both device types simultaneously, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device is designed with multi-functionality to communicate with both zero power devices and non-zero power devices through different communication interfaces. This universal design allows the same control device to perform multiple communication functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated control devices for each device type and reducing hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If RFID card readers are added to control devices for zero power device communication, then communication capability is improved, but hardware cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidhardware cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control device integrates multiple communication capabilities into a single unit, with a first communication interface for non-zero power devices and a second communication interface for zero power devices. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate RFID card readers, reducing hardware costs while maintaining full communication capability for both device types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the communication functions that would traditionally require separate hardware (including RFID card readers) into a single integrated control device. By merging these communication capabilities, the system reduces hardware requirements and manufacturing costs while preserving the ability to communicate with both zero power and non-zero power devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the same control device communicates with both zero power and non-zero power devices using the same resource, then device complexity is reduced, but communication interference occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol device quantityVSAvoidcommunication stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication resources into distinct channels: a first communication interface for non-zero power devices and a second communication interface for zero power devices. This segmentation prevents communication interference by dedicating separate resources to different device types, while the control device itself remains unified, maintaining low complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control device implements local quality by assigning different communication interfaces with different characteristics to different device types. The first communication interface is optimized for non-zero power devices while the second communication interface is optimized for zero power devices, ensuring each communication channel has the appropriate properties for its intended use, thereby preventing interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables cost-effective communication with zero power devices using existing control devices without hardware modifications, maintaining efficient communication with both types of devices simultaneously.

Implementation Method 1

the second device includes an energy harvesting module and/or a backscattering module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy harvesting:

Implementation Method 2

the second device includes an energy harvesting module and/or a backscattering module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBackscattering:

Data Source

PatentEP4152849B1Communication method and device, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP4152849B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4152849B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4152849B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided are a communication method and device, and a storage medium. Provided are a communication method and device, and a storage medium. The method comprises: a control device determining a first resource and a second resource, there being no resource overlap between the first resource and the second resource; and the control device communicating with a first device by means of the first resource and communicating with a second device by means of the second resource, the second device comprising an energy collection module and/or a backscatter module.