Wireless Control Device Association via Stored Group Numbers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for associating remote control devices with load control devices, such as Zigbee-based systems, face challenges in battery life and network efficiency due to frequent polling for group numbers, leading to reduced battery life and network interference.
Innovation Solution
A load control system that includes a gateway device and a programming device, allowing remote control devices to enter an association mode and store a group number, enabling them to wake up less frequently and extend battery life while maintaining efficient network communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If remote control devices frequently poll for group numbers using Zigbee-based association methods, then network communication capability is maintained, but battery life is reduced and network interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary association between the remote control device and load control device during setup, storing identification information in advance. This eliminates the need for frequent polling operations, as the remote control device can directly communicate with associated devices using stored identifiers, thereby extending battery life while maintaining network communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the polling function from the normal operation mode and separates it into an initial association phase. By taking out the frequent polling requirement and replacing it with stored association data, the system reduces continuous network communication overhead and battery consumption while preserving essential communication functionality.
2Reliability
If remote control devices frequently poll for group numbers, then network communication is maintained, but network interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
Association information including group numbers and device identifiers is established in advance during the setup phase. This preliminary action eliminates the need for continuous polling requests that cause network interference, while maintaining reliable communication through stored association data that enables direct device-to-device communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from periodic polling (which causes continuous interference) to event-driven communication. The remote control device wakes up less frequently and only communicates when necessary, using pre-stored association information to maintain network communication without generating harmful periodic interference signals.
3Reliability
If remote control devices wake up frequently to poll for group numbers, then association is maintained, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The association between remote control devices and load control devices is established in advance during setup, with identification information stored in non-volatile memory. This preliminary association maintains device connectivity without requiring frequent wake-up cycles, significantly reducing battery consumption while preserving association reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control device uses stored association information to autonomously identify and communicate with associated load control devices without needing to wake up frequently for polling. The device serves itself by maintaining local copies of association data, eliminating the energy-intensive periodic wake-up and polling operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A load control system may include one or more wireless control devices that may be associated via a programming device. An identifier for a first wireless control device may be determined in response to an actuation of a button on the first wireless control device. An association between the first wireless control device and a second wireless control device may be defined at the programming device. The identifier for the first wireless control device may be transmitted to the second wireless control device, which may cause the first wireless control device to enter a sleep mode. The first wireless control device may enter the sleep mode after an actuation of a button on the first wireless control device. The identifier may be determined in response to the actuation of the button on the first wireless control device and/or prior to the first wireless control device entering the sleep mode.