Wireless Device Response Timing for Selection Delay

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless device control systems experience delays and increased complexity due to the need for feedback from multiple devices, leading to longer selection and control times and unsatisfactory user experiences, especially as the number of devices increases.

Innovation Solution

Each device determines its response time based on its relative position to the wireless controller using predefined rules, such as RSSI, to reduce delay and processing complexity, while other devices that are not the best match do not respond, minimizing energy consumption and electromagnetic radiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all devices send feedback signals to the wireless controller using CSMA/CA, then the controller can identify the target device, but the processing time and channel collision probability increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice identification accuracyVSAvoidselection and control delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the wireless controller send a probe message to all devices before the actual control operation. This probe message triggers devices to pre-calculate their response times based on their relative positions, so when the controller needs to select a target device, the response timing is already determined and optimized, reducing the overall selection delay

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by making each device determine its own response time based on its specific relative position to the controller. Devices closer to the controller are assigned shorter response times, while farther devices have longer response times. This localized differentiation allows the controller to identify the target device faster without requiring all devices to respond simultaneously or wait for the maximum response time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If all devices send feedback signals, then the target device can be identified, but the processing capability requirement and electromagnetic radiation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget device selection accuracyVSAvoidcontroller processing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by having only the necessary information from devices transmitted back to the controller. Instead of requiring full feedback signals from all devices, the system uses the probe message and response time calculation to identify the target device with minimal processing overhead, reducing the controller's processing capability requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical feedback collection method (where the controller must receive and process signals from all devices) with a signal-based identification method. The controller sends a probe message and identifies the target device based on the response timing characteristics, substituting complex feedback processing with simpler timing-based identification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If multiple devices transmit feedback signals simultaneously, then the controller receives comprehensive information, but channel collision probability increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback signal completenessVSAvoidchannel collision probability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The probe message serves as a preliminary action that prepares the communication channel for the actual control signal transmission. By establishing the response time relationships in advance through the probe message, the system ensures that when the control signal is sent, channel collisions are minimized because the transmission timing is already optimized

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses periodic action through the two-stage communication process: first sending a probe message to establish response timing, then sending the actual control signal. This periodic structure separates the information gathering phase from the control execution phase, reducing channel collision probability by avoiding simultaneous transmissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach significantly reduces selection and control delays, decreases collision probability, and simplifies the wireless controller's processing, resulting in a more efficient and user-friendly experience by prioritizing responses from devices closest to the controller.

Implementation Method 1

the wireless controller sends a probe message to detect all devices in its control area, and each device sends a respective feedback signal to the wireless controller according to protocols such as Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio wave propagation: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Implementation Method 2

selects the target device located in the specific relative position by comparing the radio transmission information of the probe message or the feedback signals, such as Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) or time of flight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReceived Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

selects the target device located in the specific relative position by comparing the radio transmission information of the probe message or the feedback signals, such as Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) or time of flight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP2374334B1Methods for selecting and controlling devices
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP2374334B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2374334B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2374334B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method of selecting and controlling devices based on wireless communication technology. The wireless controller sends a probe message to one or more devices; each device receives the probe message, obtains information in respect of its relative position with respect to the wireless controller, determines a response time to respond according to a first predefined rule, based on its relative position information: detects response signals from other devices before expiration of the response time; decides whether to send or not to send its response signal according to a second predefined rule and the detecting procedure of response signals from other devices; the wireless controller receives response signals sent by the devices after the comparison of the relative position information of each device with respect to the wireless controller, and selects the target devices from the devices. Embodiments of the present invention reduce the complexity, delay and energy consumption of the selection for wireless devices, and are especially applicable for wireless lighting systems.