Wearable Device Communication Protocol Switching for Battery Life

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable wireless devices face short battery life due to high power consumption from existing communication protocols, leading to increased device size and reduced functionality, as they lack efficient low-power communication solutions for both data-intensive and non-data-intensive information.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising an aggregator, access point, and wearable device that uses a low-power communication protocol for non-data-intensive information and a higher power protocol for data-intensive information, with power management techniques such as power saving modes and multiple communication links to optimize energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If higher power wireless networks (BT, WIFI, 2G, 3G) are used to transmit and receive cellular and internet data, then communication functionality is improved, but battery life deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments communication functionality into two distinct modes: BTLE single mode for non-data-intensive information (notifications, messages) and BT/BTLE dual mode for data-intensive communication (voice calls, internet). This segmentation allows each mode to be optimized independently, with BTLE providing low power consumption for basic communication and BT providing full functionality when needed, thereby resolving the contradiction between communication capability and battery life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If BTLE single mode is used to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but communication functionality deteriorates due to lack of protocol support for data-intensive communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between BTLE single mode and BT/BTLE dual mode based on communication requirements. For non-data-intensive information, the device operates in BTLE single mode to maximize energy efficiency. When data-intensive communication is required, the system transitions to BT/BTLE dual mode, leveraging concurrent connections to maintain both low power consumption and full communication functionality, thus dynamically resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and communication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If BT/BTLE dual mode is used to support both protocols simultaneously, then communication functionality is improved, but device volume deteriorates due to larger battery requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic action by alternating between BTLE single mode operation and BT/BTLE dual mode operation based on communication needs. Instead of continuously operating in dual mode with a large battery, the device switches to BTLE single mode during low-power intervals and activates BT only when data-intensive communication is required. This periodic switching allows for a smaller battery capacity while maintaining full communication functionality, thereby resolving the contradiction between communication capability and device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Adaptability or versatility

If BT/BTLE dual mode is used to enable concurrent connections, then communication versatility is improved, but power consumption deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcurrent connection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by assigning different communication protocols to different communication channels based on their specific requirements. Non-data-intensive channels (notifications, messages) use BTLE with low power consumption, while data-intensive channels (voice calls, internet) use BT with full functionality. This localized optimization of protocol selection allows concurrent connections to operate with minimal overall power consumption while maintaining versatility, resolving the contradiction between concurrent connection capability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9485729B2Selecting a transmission policy and transmitting information to a wearable device

Publication Date: 2016.11.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A system, apparatus, and method for communicating with a wearable wireless device are provided. The system includes at least one data source, an aggregator configured to receive data from the at least one data source, and to communicate with an access point, the access point configured to communicate with the aggregator and to communicate with a wearable wireless device, and the wearable wireless device configured to communicate with the access point so as to receive information from the aggregator through the access point.