Wireless Device Multi-Module Adaptation for Monitoring Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Constructing a wireless network for monitoring facilities remotely is challenging due to the need for site-specific frequency and format selection, leading to complex setups and potential interference, which increases operational and maintenance costs and reduces communication reliability.

Innovation Solution

A wireless device with a device controller that selects and controls wireless modules adapted to communication status, using a common communication command to manage network information and switch between different frequencies and formats, ensuring optimal communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple wireless modules with different frequencies and formats are used to adapt to various communication environments, then communication reliability and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and network construction difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless device is segmented into multiple independent wireless modules, each supporting different frequencies and communication formats (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee). Each module can be independently selected and activated based on the specific communication environment requirements, allowing the system to adapt to various scenarios without requiring all modules to be permanently integrated and managed simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless device is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple wireless modules that support different communication standards and frequency bands. This universal design enables a single device to handle diverse communication scenarios (short-range, long-range, high-speed, low-power) without requiring separate dedicated devices for each scenario, thereby improving communication reliability across different environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If site-specific frequency and format selection is performed to optimize communication, then communication adaptability is improved, but network construction time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication adaptabilityVSAvoidnetwork construction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary site survey and communication environment analysis before finalizing the network configuration. During this preliminary phase, the optimal frequency band and communication format are identified and pre-configured for the specific site conditions. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming trial-and-error adjustments during actual network deployment, thereby reducing overall network construction time while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communication system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor communication quality, signal strength, and interference levels. Based on this real-time feedback, the system automatically adjusts the selected frequency band and communication format to maintain optimal performance. This feedback-driven adaptation reduces the need for manual reconfiguration and site-specific optimization efforts during network construction and operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wireless formats are combined in the network, then communication versatility is improved, but ease of operation and maintenance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication versatilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A unified management interface or intermediary control system is introduced to manage multiple wireless formats and modules. This intermediary layer provides a standardized control mechanism that abstracts the complexity of different communication protocols (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee) from the user. Through this unified interface, users can configure, monitor, and maintain all wireless modules using a single set of commands and parameters, thereby maintaining ease of operation despite the versatility of supporting multiple formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Speed

If high frequency is used for wireless communication, then communication speed is improved, but communication distance and reliability in complex environments deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidcommunication distance
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication system dynamically selects the operating frequency band based on real-time environmental conditions, communication distance requirements, and speed requirements. When high communication speed is needed and environmental conditions permit, the system operates in higher frequency bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz Wi-Fi). When communication distance or penetration through obstacles is prioritized, the system automatically switches to lower frequency bands (e.g., sub-1 GHz, Bluetooth Low Energy) that offer better propagation characteristics. This dynamic frequency selection enables the system to optimize the trade-off between speed and reliability according to actual operational needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2704462B1Wireless device for wireless communication using one of a plurality of wireless modules which is adapted to the wireless communication status of a site to be monitored and wireless network system provided with such wireless devices
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 HITACHI IND EQUIP SYST CO LTD
  • EP2704462B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2704462B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2704462B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Provided is a wireless device and a wireless network capable of readily communicating wirelessly using different frequency bands and wireless formats to match the state of wireless communication at the installation location of the facility being monitored. A wireless device for performing wireless communication using a wireless module suited to the state of communication, the wireless device being provided with a plurality of wireless modules on a base substrate, wherein the wireless modules are a plurality of wireless modules between which the frequency and/or the wireless format differ. The wireless device is characterized in being provided with: a device controller for selecting a wireless module suited to the state of communication, the device controller being detachably mounted on the base substrate and connected to the plurality of wireless modules by signal wires; and a terminal block for external connection and a communication interface, which are connected to the device controller. The wireless device performs wireless data communication using a wireless module selected by the device controller, the data being acquired from the terminal block or the communication interface.