Wireless Control Timing Logic for Low-Power Sensor Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless control systems lack efficient power management and sensor activation mechanisms, leading to high power consumption and inefficient battery life, especially when multiple sensors and circuits are active simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The wireless control device employs time multiplexing and pulsed sensing mechanisms to activate sensors only when necessary, combined with real-time clock-based scheduling to conserve power, and uses a processor to manage sensor inputs and transmit control signals via a wireless transceiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors and circuits are kept active simultaneously for real-time monitoring, then measurement precision and response speed are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic activation of sensors and circuits through time-multiplexed scanning. Instead of keeping all sensors continuously active, the system activates them in periodic intervals based on priority levels and event triggers. This allows the system to maintain measurement precision when needed while significantly reducing average power consumption by keeping non-critical sensors in low-power states during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts sensor activation states based on real-time conditions, event priorities, and power availability. Critical sensors maintain higher activation frequencies while non-critical sensors are activated only when events occur or power is abundant. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making sensor operation flexible rather than static, balancing precision requirements against power constraints.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are activated simultaneously for comprehensive monitoring, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor system into multiple priority levels and functional groups. Instead of treating all sensors uniformly, the system divides them into critical, important, and optional categories, each with different activation policies. This segmentation allows comprehensive monitoring capability to be maintained through selective activation of appropriate sensor groups while reducing overall system complexity by managing sensors in discrete, manageable units rather than as a monolithic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The time-multiplexed control architecture provides universal management capabilities across diverse sensor types. A single control mechanism handles multiple sensor categories with different requirements, creating a multi-functional system that can adapt to various monitoring scenarios without requiring separate dedicated control circuits for each sensor type. This universality reduces complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Productivity
If all circuits remain active for immediate response, then productivity and response speed are improved, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring sensor priorities, activation thresholds, and response protocols during system initialization or low-power periods. Critical response parameters are pre-calculated and stored, allowing the system to react immediately to events without requiring extensive real-time computation. This preliminary preparation maintains high productivity during active periods while enabling energy-saving modes when events are absent.
Solution Approach 2:
The time-multiplexed system skips activation of non-critical circuits during low-priority periods, rushing through only essential monitoring tasks. When events occur or power levels indicate availability, the system rapidly activates additional circuits to handle comprehensive monitoring. This selective skipping of non-essential operations reduces energy loss while maintaining productivity for critical functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: providing a device having a counter that stores a cycle count measuring a number of clock cycles since the device was last turned ON or a timer that stores an elapsed time since the device was last turned ON; (a) flagging a first or additional defined memory location when the cycle count or the elapsed time reaches a first or additional first milestone; (b) unflagging the first or additional defined memory location when the cycle count or the elapsed time reaches a second or additional second milestone, wherein the second or additional second milestone is greater than the first or additional first milestone; (c) determining that the device is turned OFF and then ON again; repeating steps (a) through (c) a specified number of times; and resetting the device or turning a program ON when all the first or additional memory locations reach a specified flag configuration.