Wireless Sensor Repeater Role Assignment for Lighting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless sensor systems for controlling switches and outlets often rely on long cabling, which is inefficient, and may use battery power that depletes quickly or require additional cabling for power, leading to operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A wireless sensor system that includes a method for determining whether a device should act as a local repeater based on random numbers or the number of devices, allowing data packets to be efficiently transmitted within the system without the need for extensive cabling or rapid battery depletion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If long cabling is used to control switches and outlets, then system coverage is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cabling system with a wireless communication system. Wireless devices transmit control signals and data packets through wireless protocols, eliminating the need for physical cables running between controllers and controlled devices. This substitution maintains system coverage while dramatically reducing installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication protocols and intermediate wireless devices as mediators between control sources and switches/outlets. These intermediaries enable signal transmission without direct physical connection, allowing system coverage to extend throughout the building without requiring extensive cabling infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If battery power is used in wireless sensor systems, then installation flexibility is improved, but battery life is reduced due to rapid depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sleep-wake cycles for wireless devices. Devices remain in low-power sleep mode during intervals when no control operations are needed, periodically waking to transmit or receive data packets. This periodic operation pattern dramatically reduces average power consumption while maintaining installation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs duty cycling where devices discard continuous operation to recover battery life. By intentionally limiting active operation periods and relying on periodic activation triggered by control events, the system recovers significant battery life while maintaining operational flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional cabling is used to provide power to local controllers, then device functionality is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical power cabling system with wireless power transmission or energy harvesting mechanisms. Local controllers receive operational energy through wireless means or environmental energy sources, maintaining full device functionality without requiring additional power cables to be installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes wireless devices multi-functional by enabling them to perform both control and power reception functions without separate cabling. The same wireless communication infrastructure used for data transmission also supports power delivery or coordinates with energy harvesting, eliminating the need for dedicated power cabling.
4Reliability
If wireless devices continuously transmit data packets, then communication reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission intervals where wireless devices transmit data packets only at scheduled times or when triggered by control events. This periodic transmission maintains communication reliability by ensuring regular updates while dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to continuous transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables wireless devices to self-regulate their transmission behavior based on local conditions and received commands. Devices autonomously determine when transmission is necessary, adjusting their activity patterns to maintain communication reliability while minimizing energy expenditure through intelligent, event-driven transmission scheduling.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, at a first wireless device of a plurality of wireless devices, a data packet including an indication of a source of the data packet. In response to the first wireless device being associated with the source of the data packet, whether the first wireless device is a local repeater can be determined based on at least one of a random number or a number of wireless devices of the plurality of wireless devices. In response to the first wireless device being determined to be a local repeater, the first wireless device can be caused to be configured as a local repeater such that the first wireless device sends the data packet to at least one remaining wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices.