In-Vehicle Network Power Profile Control for Synchronized Sleep Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-vehicle network technologies face challenges in achieving sufficient power saving due to difficulties in determining the optimal timing for transitioning between normal and power-saving modes, leading to asynchronous power management among connected devices, packet loss, and operational delays.

Innovation Solution

A network control apparatus that acquires the vehicle's state and applies optimized control profiles to equipment connected to the in-vehicle network, synchronizing the transition between power-saving and normal modes to minimize power consumption and ensure seamless network operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If devices connected to an in-vehicle network perform power saving asynchronously, then power consumption of individual devices is reduced, but packet loss occurs and operational delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidnetwork operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the power management functions of multiple distributed devices into a centralized control system. The network control device aggregates power saving decisions for the entire in-vehicle network, coordinating all connected devices to transition to power saving mode simultaneously based on overall network conditions, thereby eliminating asynchronous operations and packet loss while achieving comprehensive power reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The network control device acts as an intermediary between individual network devices and the power management system. It receives status information from various devices, determines appropriate power saving timing based on overall network conditions, and distributes coordinated control signals to all devices, ensuring synchronized power mode transitions without disrupting network reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by stationary object

If the network control device turns off connection ports or sets them to power saving mode, then overall network power consumption decreases, but it becomes difficult to determine optimal timing for mode transitions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork power consumptionVSAvoidcontrol timing determination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network control device implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring status information from all connected devices, including traffic patterns, operational states, and power consumption levels. Based on this real-time feedback, the control device dynamically determines optimal timing for power mode transitions, balancing power savings with network operational requirements without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters such as power mode, sampling frequency, and control signal timing based on monitored network conditions. The network control device adjusts these parameters dynamically - for example, transitioning connection ports between active and power saving modes, or modifying data collection frequencies - to optimize the balance between power consumption and network performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by stationary object

If connection ports are turned off or set to power saving mode at specified time periods, then power consumption is reduced, but packet loss occurs when devices transition asynchronously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection port power consumptionVSAvoidpacket loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The network control device performs preliminary assessment of network conditions before initiating power saving mode transitions. It evaluates current traffic patterns, device operational states, and network load in advance, determining the optimal timing for mode transitions to ensure no critical data transmission is interrupted, thereby preventing packet loss while achieving power savings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4149061B1Network control device, network control method, and network control program
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 NEC COMM SYST LTD
  • EP4149061B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4149061B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4149061B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a network control apparatus that realizes an in-vehicle network with low power consumption. The network control apparatus comprises a vehicle state acquisition part that acquires the state of a vehicle; a control profile acquisition part that acquires a control profile, according to the acquired vehicle state, from one or more control profiles including settings for controlling equipment connected to an in-vehicle network; and a control part that controls equipment within the in-vehicle network on the basis of the acquired control profile.