Wireless Adapter for Network Device Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wired communication methods for network devices, such as USB and RS232, face limitations including distance constraints and difficulty in accessing management ports, especially in hazardous or hard-to-reach locations, necessitating a wireless solution for efficient command line data communication.

Innovation Solution

A Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communications adapter that facilitates wireless communication between a network device and a mobile device, utilizing low-power wireless communications circuitry, NFC for pairing and encryption, and energy storage circuitry to convert and match impedance for bi-polar and unipolar signals, enabling communication at 1 Mbit/s with low power consumption and overcoming distance limitations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wired communication (USB/RS232) is used to connect terminal device to network equipment, then reliable data communication is achieved, but distance limitations and access difficulty to management ports occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccess to management portVSAvoidCable length

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless communication system. Specifically, it substitutes the physical cable-based USB/RS232 connection with Bluetooth Low Energy wireless communication, eliminating the need for physical access to management ports and removing cable length limitations while maintaining reliable data communication capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a wireless communication interface as an intermediary between the terminal device and network equipment. The Bluetooth Low Energy module acts as this intermediary, enabling communication without direct physical connection, thus solving the access difficulty and distance limitations of wired connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If wireless communication is implemented to overcome cable limitations, then access flexibility is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveWireless access flexibilityVSAvoidPower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting Bluetooth Low Energy specifically for its low power consumption characteristics. The system changes the operational parameters of wireless communication by using BLE instead of traditional high-power wireless protocols, enabling wireless access while maintaining acceptable power consumption levels through optimized communication parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action through duty cycling of the Bluetooth Low Energy radio. The wireless communication interface operates in periodic intervals rather than continuously, turning on only when data transmission is needed and turning off otherwise. This periodic operation significantly reduces average power consumption while maintaining wireless access flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If command line data communication is implemented, then configuration capability is maintained, but communication speed requirements are low making wired connections unnecessary

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveConfiguration capabilityVSAvoidData communication speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the wired mechanical connection system with wireless communication while maintaining command line data communication capability. The Bluetooth Low Energy interface substitutes for USB/RS232 wired connections, preserving full configuration capability through command line protocols without requiring physical cable connections or high data speeds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9781551B2Wireless communications adapter for a network device

Publication Date: 2017.10.03 TRANSITION NETWORKS

AI summary

Described herein is an adapter that can facilitate communications between a bi-polar serial communications port of a network device and a mobile device that communicates wirelessly. The adapter can include circuitry configured to communicate and receive wireless signals to and from the mobile device over air at least at 1 Mbit/s. Such circuitry can also be configured to consume at most 0.5 W and convert a wireless signal into a unipolar signal, and vice versa. The adapter can also include an energy storage component configured to store energy from a bi-polar serial signal received from the port. The adapter can also include circuitry, configured to receive the stored electrical energy and convert a unipolar signal to a bi-polar serial signal compatible with the port using the received energy. The adapter can also include circuitry configured to convert a bipolar signal to a unipolar signal.