User access to wireless low energy device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered wireless sensors, such as those using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), face challenges in efficiently notifying multiple user devices of state changes while conserving energy and ensuring reliable information exchange.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where BLE devices broadcast state change information at a high rate for a short period, allowing multiple user devices to connect, receive, and disconnect quickly, thereby ensuring all devices receive the update without prolonged high-energy transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If BLE devices transmit state change information continuously at a high rate, then all user devices can receive the update reliably, but battery consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic advertising mode where the BLE device transmits state change information at high rate only during specific advertising intervals rather than continuously. The device alternates between high-rate transmission periods and low-rate or idle periods, achieving reliable delivery to multiple devices while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the advertising rate based on the state change event. When a state change occurs, the device temporarily increases advertising rate to ensure all connected devices receive the update, then returns to normal operating rate. This dynamic adjustment allows reliable information delivery only when necessary, minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
2Speed
If BLE devices use fast advertisements to notify multiple user devices quickly, then information exchange is timely, but energy consumption increases during transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic advertising intervals to send fast advertisements only when state changes occur, rather than maintaining continuous high-speed transmission. This allows timely information exchange to be achieved periodically rather than continuously, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining speed when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements brief bursts of high-rate advertising transmissions to quickly notify multiple devices of state changes, then immediately returns to lower activity state. This 'rushing through' the notification process efficiently delivers information to all devices in minimal time, avoiding prolonged high-energy transmission.
3Reliability
If BLE devices maintain continuous connection with multiple user devices, then all devices can receive updates reliably, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic advertising mode instead of maintaining continuous connections with multiple user devices. The device periodically broadcasts state change information to all connected devices, ensuring reliable update delivery without the sustained power consumption of maintaining active connections with multiple devices simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the information delivery process by using broadcast advertising packets that can be received by multiple devices independently, rather than maintaining separate continuous connections with each device. This segmentation allows reliable delivery to multiple devices while consuming less power than maintaining individual connections.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of communicating with multiple other devices by a low energy device (110, 210), the method including broadcasting advertisements from the low energy device (110, 210) to connect, the advertisements being broadcasted at a slow rate, receiving an event at the low energy device (110, 210), responsive to receiving the event, broadcasting advertisements (235) at a high rate for a selected period of time, and connecting and disconnecting (240) with the multiple other devices to exchange information related to the event during the selected period of time.