Wireless Node Relay Switching for Asset Condition Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems, such as barcodes and RFID tags, are inefficient and costly for monitoring and managing assets, and sensor-based systems are complex and provide redundant information, failing to effectively monitor environmental conditions during transport.
Innovation Solution
A wireless node network with adaptive communication protocols, utilizing a hierarchy of nodes (ID and master nodes) that dynamically adjust message formats based on environmental changes, allowing efficient and cost-effective tracking and condition monitoring of assets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor-based tracking systems are used to monitor environmental conditions, then measurement precision and information quality are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the network into hierarchical segments: master nodes that handle complex communication and coordination, and ID nodes that perform simple tracking and sensing. This segmentation allows the system to achieve comprehensive environmental monitoring through distributed simple nodes rather than requiring every node to be complex sensor-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The advertising message format serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides node identification, transmission power information, and environmental condition data. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensor systems, achieving environmental monitoring without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Loss of information
If traditional advertising messages with full formats are broadcast frequently, then information completeness is improved, but energy consumption and network congestion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The advertising message format transitions from static full-format broadcasts to dynamic condensed formats based on environmental conditions. When conditions are stable, nodes use condensed formats with minimal data. When conditions change beyond thresholds, nodes dynamically switch to full-format broadcasts, optimizing energy usage while maintaining information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of message format density based on environmental monitoring needs. By adjusting the amount of information transmitted according to actual conditions rather than broadcasting fixed full-format messages, the system reduces overall energy consumption while preserving critical information about environmental changes.
3Productivity
If adaptive message formatting is implemented, then productivity and communication efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases due to format switching logic
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes multiple standardized advertising message formats (condensed, partial, full) with defined structures and selection criteria. This preliminary preparation of format templates allows nodes to efficiently switch between formats using simple lookup logic rather than complex real-time formatting, improving communication efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and apparatus are described for enhanced node communication within a wireless node network having nodes and a server. The method begins with a first node associating with a second according to a server tracked logical connection authorized by the server. The first node captures relevant node information including shared data from another of the nodes. The first node transmits, when operating in a first connectivity mode, at least the shared data to the server using the second node operating as an intermediary for indirect communication with the server. The first node transmits, when operating in a second connectivity mode, at least the shared data to the server without using the second intermediary node by having the first node transmitting a message with at least the shared data to the server while avoiding the need to first send the message to the second node during transit to the server.