WO2013000110A1 - A switch control method for wireless devices, a wireless devices and a wireless system - Google Patents

A switch control method for wireless devices, a wireless devices and a wireless system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013000110A1
WO2013000110A1 PCT/CN2011/076439 CN2011076439W WO2013000110A1 WO 2013000110 A1 WO2013000110 A1 WO 2013000110A1 CN 2011076439 W CN2011076439 W CN 2011076439W WO 2013000110 A1 WO2013000110 A1 WO 2013000110A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
main circuit
switch
power supply
switched
wireless device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CN2011/076439
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Leiming Xu
Robert Averbeck
Wei Qiu
Roland Kraus
Original Assignee
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens Aktiengesellschaft filed Critical Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority to PCT/CN2011/076439 priority Critical patent/WO2013000110A1/en
Publication of WO2013000110A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013000110A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W52/00—Power management, e.g. TPC [Transmission Power Control], power saving or power classes
    • H04W52/02—Power saving arrangements
    • H04W52/0209—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices
    • H04W52/0225—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal
    • H04W52/0229—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal where the received signal is a wanted signal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/18—Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02D—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
    • Y02D30/00—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks
    • Y02D30/70—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks in wireless communication networks

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) technologies, and in particular, to a switch control method for wireless devices, and a wireless device and a wireless system applied with this method.
  • WSN Wireless Sensor Network
  • a Wireless Sensor Network consists of spatially distributed autonomous sensors to cooperatively monitor physical or environmental conditions, such as temperature, sound, vibration, pressure, motion or pollutants.
  • Wireless sensor networks are now used in many industrial and civilian application areas, including industrial process monitoring and control, machine health monitoring, environment and habitat monitoring, healthcare applications, home automation, and traffic control.
  • each sensor node in a wireless sensor network is typically equipped with a radio transceiver or other wireless communications device, a small microcontroller, and an energy source, usually a battery, and a device acting as the sensor node may be called a wireless sensor.
  • the wireless sensor network works as an infrastructure, embedded into working field such as environment, buildings or etc., with no need of maintenance, where, the wireless sensor needs to be battery-power-supplied and work without user intervention, and usually, the wireless sensor becomes un-touchable after it is installed in a working field.
  • wireless sensors are mounted under the ground surface of a parking field to detect presence of vehicles and report status to a management node through wireless.
  • these wireless sensors are covered by a shell of some material, e.g., epoxy or etc., to provide protection, and its housing is usually permanently sealed and has not external interface to provide enough protection.
  • these wireless sensors become un-touchable once they are mounted underground.
  • the present invention provides a wireless device, a wireless system and a switch control method thereof, in order to perform switch control for the wireless device with low costs and little power consumption.
  • a wireless device including a main circuit, a power supply, a Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvest component and an electronic power switch; wherein: the RF energy harvest component is adapted to harvest electronic power from an external RF signal, and use the harvested electronic power to trigger the electronic power switch to connect the main circuit to the power supply or disconnect the main circuit from the power supply.
  • RF energy harvest component is adapted to harvest electronic power from an external RF signal, and use the harvested electronic power to trigger the electronic power switch to connect the main circuit to the power supply or disconnect the main circuit from the power supply.
  • the RF energy harvest component is adapted to generate a control signal using the harvested electronic power, and input the control signal to the electronic power switch; and, the electronic power switch is adapted to determine whether to change connection state between the main circuit and the power supply according to the control signal.
  • the wireless device further includes a decoder; the RF energy harvest component is adapted to harvest electronic power from the external RF signal and use the harvested electronic power to trigger the decoder to work; the decoder is adapted to obtain a control signal from the RF signal by decoding after being triggered; and, the electronic power switch is adapted to determine whether to change connection state between the main circuit and the power supply according to the control signal.
  • the RF energy harvest component is a coil or a passive RF Identification (RFID) tag
  • the electronic power switch includes: a flip flop and a MOSFET, wherein, the MOFSET is adapted to control the connection state between the main circuit and the power supply, the flip flop is adapted to receive the control signal and determine whether to trigger the MOSFET to change the connection state between the main circuit and the power supply according to the control signal.
  • a switch control method for a wireless device wherein, the wireless device at least includes: a main circuit, a power supply, a Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvest component and an electronic power switch; the method includes: harvesting, by the RF energy harvest component, electronic power from an external RF signal; and, triggering, by the RF energy harvest component, the electronic power switch by using the harvested electronic power to connect the main circuit to the power supply or disconnect the main circuit from the power supply.
  • RF Radio Frequency
  • the step of triggering, by the RF energy harvest component, the electronic power switch by using the harvested electronic power to connect the main circuit to the power supply or disconnect the main circuit from the power supply includes: generating, by the RF energy harvest component, a control signal by using the harvested electronic power, and inputting, by the RF energy harvest component, the control signal to the electronic power switch, and determining, by the electronic power switch, whether to change connection state between the main circuit and the power supply according to the control signal.
  • the step of triggering, by the RF energy harvest component, the electronic power switch by using the harvested electronic power to connect the main circuit to the power supply or disconnect the main circuit from the power supply includes: harvesting, by the RF energy harvest component, electronic power from the external RF signal, and triggering , by the RF energy harvest component, a decoder by using the harvested electronic power; obtaining, by the decoder, a control signal from the RF signal by decoding after being triggered, and determining, by the electronic power switch, whether to change connection state between the main circuit and the power supply according to the control signal.
  • the determining, by the electronic power switch, whether to change connection state between the main circuit and the power supply according to the control signal includes: receiving, by the electronic power switch, the control signal, changing the connection state when the control signal is in a high level, and keeping the connection state unchanged when the control signal is in a low level or blocked.
  • a wireless system in one aspect of the present invention, includes: at least one aforementioned wireless device and a Radio Frequency (RF) signal source.
  • RF Radio Frequency
  • a wireless device including: a main circuit, a power supply and a reed switch; wherein: the reed switch is adapted to alternate its switch state upon proximity or departure of an external magnet to make the main circuit be connected to or be disconnected from the power supply.
  • the reed switch, the main circuit and the power supply are connected in series; the reed switch is switched off upon the proximity of the magnet, and the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply; and, the reed switch is switched on upon the departure of the magnet, and the main circuit is connected to the power supply.
  • the wireless device further includes a latching relay, wherein: two ends of the reed switch are respectively connected to the latching relay and the power supply, and the latching relay is connected to the reed switch, the main circuit and the power supply; the initial switch state of the reed switch is switched-off and the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply; and, the reed switch is switched on upon the proximity of the magnet, the latching relay is switched on, the switched-on of the latching relay makes the main circuit be connected to the power supply, and the latching relay keeps switched on upon the departure of the magnet.
  • a latching relay wherein: two ends of the reed switch are respectively connected to the latching relay and the power supply, and the latching relay is connected to the reed switch, the main circuit and the power supply; the initial switch state of the reed switch is switched-off and the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply; and, the reed switch is switched on upon the proximity of the magnet, the latching relay is switched on, the
  • the wireless device further includes: a first MOSFET and a second MOSFET; wherein: the grid of the first MOSFET is connected to the reed switch, the source and the drain of the first MOSFSET are respectively connected to the power supply and the main circuit, the grid of the second MOSFET is connected to the main circuit, and the drain and the source of the second MOSFET are respectively connected to two ends of the reed switch; the initial switch state of the reed switch is switched-off, the initial switch state of the first MOSFET is switched-off, the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply, and the initial switch state of the second MOSFET is switched-off; the reed switch is switched on upon the proximity of the magnet, the switched-on of the reed switch makes the first MOFSET be switched on, the switched-on of the first MOFSET makes the main circuit be connected to the power supply, and then, the main circuit switches on the second MOSFET by sending a control signal to the second MOSFET, and
  • a switch control method for a wireless device at least including: a main circuit, a power supply and a reed switch; the method including: alternating, by the reed switch, its switch state upon proximity or departure of an external magnet to make the main circuit be connected to or be disconnected from the power supply.
  • alternating, by the reed switch, its switch state upon proximity or departure of an external magnet to make the main circuit be connected to or disconnected from the power supply includes: the initial switch state of the reed switch being switched-off and the main circuit being disconnected from the power supply, the reed switch being switched off upon the proximity of the magnet and the main circuit being disconnected from the power supply, and the reed switch being switched on upon the departure of the magnet and the main circuit being connected to the power supply; or, the initial switch state of the reed switch being switched-off and the main circuit being disconnected from the power supply, the reed switch being switched on upon the proximity of the magnet, a latching relay being switched on, the switched-on of the latching relay making the main circuit connected to the power supply, and the latching relay keeping switched on and the main circuit keeping connected to the power supply upon the departure of the magnet; or, the initial switch state of the reed switch being switched-off, the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply; the ree
  • a wireless system in one aspect of the present invention, includes: at least one wireless aforementioned device and a magnet.
  • a switch control method for a wireless device includes: switching, by the wireless device, between a sleep mode and a listening mode periodically when in an inactive state; and, entering, by the wireless device, an active state when the wireless device receives an activating message from externals at the listening mode.
  • the activating message is sent periodically, and a sending period of the activating message is less than a listening period of the wireless device.
  • a wireless system in one aspect of the present invention, includes: an activating node and at least one wireless device, wherein: the activating node is adapted to send an activating message; and, the wireless device is adapted to switch between a sleep mode and a listening mode periodically when in an inactive state, and enter an active state when receiving the activating message at the listening mode.
  • the activating node is adapted to send at least one said activating message periodically; the wireless device is adapted to enter the active state when receiving any one of said activating message at the listening mode; and, the activating node is adapted to stop sending the activating message when the at least on wireless device all enters the active state.
  • a sending period of the activating message is less than a listening period of the wireless device.
  • a wireless device in the above wireless system at least includes a wireless transceiver module and a control unit, wherein: when the wireless device is in the inactive state, the wireless transceiver module and the control unit are adapted to run periodically, and the control unit is adapted to make the wireless device enter the active state when the wireless transceiver module receives the activating message from the externals.
  • a machine-readable storage medium adapted to store instructions for enabling a machine to implement the aforementioned switch control method for a wireless device.
  • switch control can be conveniently performed for the wireless device without direct touching with low implementation costs, and such technical solutions consumes very little electronic power.
  • Figure 1 is a diagram showing a structure of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the electronic power switch in the wireless device shown in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a diagram showing a structure of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is a diagram showing a structure of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 6 is a diagram showing a structure of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 7 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 8 is a diagram showing a structure of a wireless system according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 10 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Embodiments of the present invention provide three kinds of switch control solutions for wireless devices which will be described one by one in detail hereinafter.
  • Figure 1 shows a structure of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the wireless device at least includes: a main circuit 101, an RF energy harvest component 102, an electronic power switch 103 and a power supply 104.
  • the RF energy harvest component 102 may harvest electronic power from external RF signals so as to trigger the electronic power switch 103 to change its switch state.
  • the electronic power switch 103 is connected between the main circuit 101 and the power supply 104, and its switched-on or switched-off can make the main circuit 101 be connected to or be disconnected from the power supply 104, so as to switch on or switch off the main circuit 101. Functions of these three parts are described in detail as follows.
  • the main circuit 101 is the main part of the wireless device and includes a control unit such as a Micro Control Unit (MCU) or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or etc., and an application function module such as a sensor module and/or a wireless communication module or etc.
  • a control unit such as a Micro Control Unit (MCU) or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or etc.
  • an application function module such as a sensor module and/or a wireless communication module or etc.
  • the electronic power switch 103 is adapted to control a connection state between the main circuit 101 and the power supply 104.
  • the electronic power switch 103 has a control pin, and its state changes according the input signal on this control pin. For example, when the input signal on the control pin is in a high level (i.e., the control pin is set high), the switch state of the electronic power switch 103 will alternate (e.g., it is changed from a switched-on state to a switched-off state, or is changed from the switched-off state to the switched-on state) so that the connection state between the main circuit 101 and the power supply 104 will alternate; and otherwise, the switch state of the electronic power switch 103 will remain when the input signal on the control pin is in a low level (i.e., the control pin is set low) or is blocked (i.e., the control pin is set in a high-Z state), so that the connection state between the main circuit 101 and the power supply 104 will remain.
  • the electronic power switch 103 is in the switched-off state,
  • the RF energy harvest component 102 is adapted to harvest electronic power from the external RF signals and generate control signals for the electronic power switch 103, the Input/Output (I/O) pin of the RF energy harvest component 102 is connected to the control pin of the electronic power switch 103 in order to output a control signal to the electronic power switch 103 to control the electronic power switch 103's switched-on and switched-off.
  • the control signal outputted to the electronic power switch 103 is the aforementioned input signal on the control pin of the electronic power switch 103.
  • the RF energy harvest component 102 is working in a passive mode and does not consume any electronic power of a battery, and it can be activated by the RF signal from an external RF signal source (an RF signal transmitter or an RF Identification reader).
  • the external RF signal source can transmit an RF signal to the wireless device, and then the RF energy harvest component 102 can trigger the electronic power switch 103 to alternate its switch state after the RF energy harvest component 102 has obtained enough electronic power.
  • the wireless device can keep in the switched-off state and does not consume any electronic power before it is installed in the working field, and after installed in the working field, it can be switched on at any time by an RF signal from an external RF signal resource, and it can also be switched off at any time by the RF signal, thus, unnecessary consumption of electronic power can be avoided generally, and the electronic power of the battery equipped on the wireless device can be fully utilized so that the life cycle of the wireless device can be greatly extended.
  • the RF energy harvest component 102 may be a coil or a passive RFID (RF Identification) tag.
  • RF Identification RF Identification
  • the passive RFID tag needs to have a digital output to output a control signal to the electronic power switch 103, and further, the passive RFID tag can also be used to realize functions, such as authentication and etc., for the wireless device.
  • Figure 2 shows a structure of a specific example of the electronic power switch 103.
  • the electronic power switch 103 includes a flip flop 201 and a Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET) 202.
  • MOSFET Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor
  • the MOSFET 202 is adapted to control the power supply 104 of the main circuit 101
  • the flip flop 201 is adapted to save the connection state between the main circuit 101 and the power supply 104
  • a decoder can be added between the RF energy harvest component 102 and the electronic power switch 103 in the wireless device shown in Figure 1. After the RF energy harvest component 102 has obtained enough electronic power from the RF signal, it can activate the decoder.
  • the decoder can obtain the control signal from the received RF signal by decoding, and can control the switch state of the electronic power switch 103 according to the control signal. For example, the decoder can set the Input/Output pin of the electronic power switch as high after obtaining a control signal indicating switched-on from the RF signal by decoding, so that the electronic power switch 103 is switched on which makes the main circuit 101 be connected to the power supply 104.
  • the embodiment of the present invention further provides a switch control method for the wireless device, and the method is applied to the aforementioned wireless device which at least includes an RF energy harvest component, an electronic power switch and a main circuit.
  • the method includes the following steps:
  • Step 301 the RF energy harvest component harvests electronic power from an external RF signal
  • Step 302 a control signal is generated by using the electronic power harvested, wherein, the control signal may be generated by the RF energy harvest component by using the electronic power harvested, and alternatively, the control signal may be decoded from the RF signal by a decoder which is activated by RF energy harvest component using the electronic power harvested.
  • Step 303 the electronic power switch makes the main circuit be connected to the power supply or disconnected from the power supply according to the received control signal.
  • the embodiment of the present invention further provides a wireless system, the system includes: at least on aforementioned wireless device and an RF signal source, where, the wireless device can harvest electronic power from the RF signal transmitted from the RF signal source to perform its switch control, the specific method for implementing the switch control has been discussed before, which will not be discussed herein again.
  • the RF signal source may be any apparatus that is able to transmit the RF signal, such as an RF transmitter or an RFID reader or etc.
  • the wireless device can be a wireless sensor in the wireless sensor network.
  • This wireless sensor is usually un-touchable in the working field and is battery-power-supplied.
  • the wireless sensor After applied with the switch control solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the wireless sensor is not needed to be turned on and consume no electronic power before its installation in the working field, and after being installed in the working field, it can be turned on easily and may also be turned on only when necessary, thereby waste of electronic power can be greatly reduced and the usage life of the wireless sensor can be extended a lot.
  • the implementation of the embodiment of the present invention is easy and of low costs.
  • Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless device adopting a reed switch, the reed switch can make the main circuit be connected to or be disconnected from the power supply by alternating its switch state upon proximity or departure of an external magnet.
  • the reed switch can make the main circuit be connected to or be disconnected from the power supply by alternating its switch state upon proximity or departure of an external magnet.
  • the reed switch when the external magnet is in proximity, the reed switch is turned off so that the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply, and the reed switch is turned on upon the departure of the external magnet so that the main circuit is connected to the power supply.
  • Figure 4 shows a structure of a first wireless device adopting a reed switch.
  • the wireless device includes: a reed switch 401, a main circuit 402 and a power supply 403, where, the reed switch 401, the main circuit 402 and the power supply 403 are connected together in series, and the reed switch 401 is arranged between the main circuit 402 and the power supply 403.
  • a magnet is attached outside of the wireless device's housing, the reed switch 401 is turned off because of the proximity of the magnet so that the main circuit 402 is disconnected from the power supply 403.
  • the magnet will be removed when the wireless device is in use, and the removal of the magnet will make the reed switch 401 be turned on, so that the main circuit 402 is connected to the power supply 403.
  • the magnet is a permanent magnet.
  • the reed switch 401 is connected in series on the power line of the main circuit 402. Its reed contacts are separated (i.e., the reed switch 401 are open and in a switched-off state) upon the proximity of the magnet, so that the connection between the main circuit 402 and the power supply 403 is cut off and the main circuit 402 is in the switched-off state. Upon the departure of the magnet, the reed contacts of the reed switch 401 are closing (i.e., the reed switch 401 is closed and in a switched-on state), so that the main circuit 402 is connected to the power supply 403 and in the switched-on state.
  • the reed switch 401 may be mounted at a place very near to the inner surface of the wireless device's housing.
  • the initial switch state of reed switch is switched-off, so that the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply.
  • the reed switch is switched on upon the proximity of an external magnet, so that the main circuit is connected to the power supply, and the switched-on of the reed switch also makes a latching relay be switched on, and the switched-on state of the latching relay is not affect by the departure of the external magnet, so that the main circuit can keep connected to the power supply upon the departure of the external magnet.
  • Figure 5 shows a structure of a second wireless device adopting a reed switch.
  • the wireless device includes: a reed switch 501, a latching relay 502, a main circuit 503 and a power supply 504.
  • the two ends of the reed switch 501 respectively connect a controlling end of the latching relay 502 and an end of the power supply 504, a controlled end of the latching relay 502 connects the common end of the reed switch 501 and the power supply 504, a load end of the latching relay 502 connects an end of the main circuit 503, and a grounding end of the latching relay 502 connects together with the other end of the main circuit 503 and the other end of the power supply 504 to the ground.
  • the latching relay 502 may close a switch from the controlled end to the load end according to a current signal inputted from the controlling end so as to start up the load end.
  • a current signal inputted from the controlling end so as to start up the load end.
  • the controlled end of the latching relay 502 will be connected to its load end, and this connection state will remain and will not be disconnected even when there is no current inputted to the controlling end.
  • the reed switch 501 is open (i.e., is in the switched-off state), so that the main circuit 503 is disconnected from the power supply 504 and is in the switched-off state.
  • the reed switch 501 is closed (i.e., is in the switched-on state), the latching relay 502 is also switched on and keeps its switched-on state, so that the main circuit 503 is switched on and keeps its switched-on state.
  • the switch state of the reed switch 501 changes upon the departure of the magnet, but this does not affect the state of the latching relay 502, and thus the main circuit 503 will keep the switched-on state.
  • the initial switch state of the reed switch is switched-off, the initial switch state of a first MOSFET is switched-off, so that the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply, and the initial switch state of a second MOSFET is also switched-off.
  • the reed switch is switched on upon the proximity of an external magnet, so that the first MOSFET is switched on which makes the main circuit be connected to the power supply, and then, the main circuit switches on the second MOSFET by sending a control signal to the second MOSFET, and the switched-on state of the second MOSFET will not be affected by the departure of the external magnet.
  • the main circuit keeps connected to the power supply within a period of time since the departure of the external magnet, and after this period of time, the main circuit stops outputting the control signal to the second MOSFET which makes the second MOSFET be switched off, the switched-off of the second MOSFET and the reed switch makes the first MOSFET be switched off, so that the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply.
  • Figure 6 shows a structure of a third wireless device adopting a reed switch.
  • the wireless device includes: a reed switch 601, a main circuit 602, a MOSFET Ql a MOSFET Q2 and a power supply 603.
  • the grid of the MOSFET Ql is connected to an end of the reed switch 601, the source of the MOSFET Ql is connected to an end of the power supply 603, the drain of the MOSFET Ql is connected to an end of the main circuit 602, the grid of the MOSFET Q2 is connected to a control unit in the main circuit 602, the drain of the MOSFET Q2 is connected to the common end of the reed switch 601 and the grid of the MOSFET Ql, the source of the MOSFET Q2 is connected to the other end of the reed switch 601, the other end of the main circuit 602 and the other end of the power supply 603.
  • a resistor may also be connected between the grid of the MOSFET Ql and the source thereof, and the resistance value of the resistor depends on specific application requirements.
  • the reed switch 601 is open (i.e., in the switched-off state), the MOSFET Ql is switched off, the main circuit 602 is in the switched-off state because it is disconnected from the power supply 603, the MOSFET Q2 is switched off.
  • the reed switch 601 is closed (i.e., in the switched-on state), the MOSFET Ql is switched on, so that the main circuit 602 is connected to the power supply 603, and the control unit therein (e.g., CPU or MCU) begins to run.
  • the control unit therein e.g., CPU or MCU
  • the control unit switches on the MOSFET Q2 by a General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) control signal, so that the MOSFET Ql will keep the switched-on state and its switched-on state will not be affect by the departure of the magnet.
  • GPIO General Purpose Input/Output
  • the control unit in the main circuit 602 stops running and does not output the GPIO control signal to the MOFSET Q2, so that the MOSFET Q2 is switched off and then the MOSFET Ql is switched off too. And at this time, the main circuit 602 comes back to the switched-off state again.
  • the embodiment of the present invention further provides a switch control method for the wireless device, and the method is applied to the aforementioned wireless device which at least includes a reed switch and a main circuit.
  • the method includes the following steps:
  • Step 701 the initial state of the reed switch is switched-off
  • Step 702 the reed switch is switched on and triggers the main circuit connected to be connected to the power supply when detects proximity or departure of an external magnet.
  • the embodiment of the present invention further provides a wireless system, the system includes: at least on aforementioned wireless device and a magnet, where, the wireless device can detect the proximity or departure of the magnet so as to perform its switch control, the specific method for implementing the switch control has been discussed before, which will not be discussed herein again.
  • the magnet may be a permanent magnet.
  • the wireless device can be a wireless sensor in the wireless sensor network.
  • This wireless sensor is usually un-touchable in the working field and is battery-power-supplied.
  • the wireless sensor After applied with the switch control solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the wireless sensor is not needed to be turned on and consume no electronic power before its installation in the working field, and after being installed in the working field, it can be turned on easily, thereby waste of electronic power can be greatly reduced and the usage life of the wireless sensor can be extended a lot.
  • the implementation of the embodiment of the present invention is easy and of low costs.
  • each wireless device in a wireless system can be activated by setting an activating node for sending an activating message in the wireless system.
  • FIG. 8 shows a structure of a wireless system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the wireless system includes an activating node 801 and multiple wireless devices 802.
  • the activating node 801 can send out an activating message periodically after being switched on.
  • the wireless device 802 In an inactive state, the wireless device 802 is in a sleep mode at most of the time, and it periodically switches to a listening mode, that is, periodically switches between the sleep mode and the listening mode.
  • a listening mode that is, periodically switches between the sleep mode and the listening mode.
  • the wireless device 802 will switch to an active state (i.e., a normal running state) if receiving an activating message within a predetermined listening period, and otherwise it will switch to the sleep mode; and after the wireless device 802 enters the sleep mode, it will switch to the listening mode after a predetermined sleep period.
  • an active state i.e., a normal running state
  • the activating node 801 stops sending out the activating message, e.g., only terminates the function for sending out the activating message, or turns off automatically, or is turned off manually.
  • the sending period of the activating message from the activating node 801 is less than the listening period of the wireless device 802.
  • each wireless device 802 may send out a message indicating its entering the active state, the activating node 801 can determine which wireless device 802 has been activated and whether all the wireless devices 802 have been activated according to the messages from each wireless device 802.
  • the wireless device 802 when the wireless device 802 is in the listening mode, most parts of the wireless device 802 are in the switched-off state except that a wireless transceiver module and a control unit therein are running, and thus it consumes little electronic power. However, when the wireless device 802 is in the sleep mode, not only the most parts but also the wireless transceiver module is in the switched-off state, and only the control unit is running, therefore the consumption of the electronic power is less. It should be noted herein that when the wireless device 802 is in the sleep mode, all parts in the control unit except a timer stop running (i.e., are in a sleep state), and they are waked up by the timer in the control unit when to switch to the listening mode. Thus, the wireless device 802 almost consumes no electronic power when it is in the sleep mode.
  • a timer stop running i.e., are in a sleep state
  • the embodiments of the present invention further provide a wireless device in the above wireless system, the wireless device at least includes a wireless transceiver module and a control unit, wherein: the wireless transceiver module and the control unit runs periodically when the wireless device in an inactive state, and the control unit makes the wireless device switch to an active state when the wireless transceiver module receives an activating message from externals.
  • Figures 9 and 10 give a specific example of the above technical solution applying to a wireless sensor network.
  • an activating node is arranged in the wireless sensor network, the wireless sensor network further includes sensor nodes A, B and C.
  • Figure 9 is a sequence diagram while Figure 10 is a method flow chart. The example is discussed in detail in combination with the two figures as follows.
  • the method procedure includes the following steps:
  • Step 1001 the activating node is set in the wireless sensor network, and the initial state of the activating node is switched off.
  • Step 1002 the sensor nodes A, B and C are initially in an inactive states and switch between a sleep mode and a listening mode periodically. As shown in Figure 9, its listening period is tO while its sleep period is TO.
  • Step 1003 the activating node sends out multiple activating messages periodically. As shown in Figure 9, the activating node is switched on at time tn and starts to send out activating messages continuously.
  • Step 1004 in the listening mode, each sensor node switches to the normal running state if receives an activating message within the listening period, and otherwise it switches to the sleep mode when the listening period expires.
  • the sensor node A receives an activating message in its second listening period
  • the sensor node B receives an activating message in its third listening period
  • the sensor node C receives an activating message in its second listening period, and they switch to the normal running state (i.e., the active state) respectively when they receives an activating message.
  • Step 1005 the activating node is switched off and stops sending out the activating messages when all the sensor nodes have entered the active state. As shown in Figure 9, the activating node is switched off at time tm and stops sending out the activating messages after the sensor nodes A, B and C are all activated.
  • configuration information may also be carried in the activating message so as to accomplish configuration for the wireless devices at the same time when they are activated.
  • the configuration information herein includes configuration information related to wireless links and/or that related to sensors.
  • the activating node may be a device newly added to a wireless network, and may also be realized by the existing device in the wireless network, e.g., a gateway node or a repeater node.
  • the wireless device activated by the activating node may be the wireless sensor in the wireless sensor network, and this wireless sensor is usually un-touchable in the working field and is battery-power-supplied.
  • the wireless sensor is not needed to be in the normal running state and consumes very little electronic power before its installation in the working field, and after being installed in the working field, it can be turned on easily, thereby waste of electronic power can be greatly reduced and the usage life of the wireless sensor can be extended a lot.
  • the implementation of the embodiment of the present invention is easy and of low costs.
  • the present invention further provides a machine-readable storage medium for storing instructions which can make a machine implement the switch control method for the wireless device as discussed in this paper.
  • a system or apparatus equipped with a storage medium can be provided, where, software program codes for implementing functions of any of the aforementioned embodiments are stored in this storage medium, and it can make a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus read out and perform the program codes stored in the storage medium.
  • the program codes read from the storage medium itself can implement the functions of any of the aforementioned embodiments, and therefore, the program codes and the storage medium storing the program codes form a part of the present invention.
  • Embodiments of the storage medium providing the program codes include a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic disk, compact disk (e.g., CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW and DVD+RW), a tape, a nonvolatile memory card and ROM).
  • a server computer via a communication network.
  • an operating system running on a computer can be enabled to accomplish a part of or all of actual operations by performing not only the program codes read out by the computer but also instructions based on the program codes, so as to realize functions of any of the aforementioned embodiments.
  • the program codes read out by the storage medium can be written into a memory adapted on an extended board inside a computer or be written into a memory adapted in an extended unit connected with a computer, and then the instructions based on the program codes enable a CPU equipped on the extended board or the extended unit is enabled to implement a part of or all of the actual operations, so as to realize functions of any of the aforementioned embodiments.
  • the embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless device, including a main circuit, a power supply, a RF energy harvest component and an electronic power switch, wherein: the RF energy harvest component harvests electronic power from external RF signals so as to trigger the electronic power switch to connect or disconnect the line between the main circuit and the power supply by using the harvested electronic power
  • the embodiments of the present invention also provide other wireless devices and corresponding wireless systems and switch control methods. By adopting the embodiments of the present invention, the switch control for the wireless device can be performed with low costs and little power consumption.

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Abstract

The embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless device, including a main circuit, a power supply, a RF energy harvest component and an electronic power switch, wherein: the RF energy harvest component harvests electronic power from external RF signals so as to trigger the electronic power switch to connect or disconnect the line between the main circuit and the power supply by using the harvested electronic power. The embodiments of the present invention also provide other wireless devices and corresponding wireless systems and switch control methods. By adopting the embodiments of the present invention, the switch control for the wireless device can be performed with low costs and little power consumption.

Description

A SWITCH CONTROL METHOD FOR WIRELESS DEVICES, A WIRELESS DEVICE AND A WIRELESS SYSTEM
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) technologies, and in particular, to a switch control method for wireless devices, and a wireless device and a wireless system applied with this method.
Background of the Invention
A Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) consists of spatially distributed autonomous sensors to cooperatively monitor physical or environmental conditions, such as temperature, sound, vibration, pressure, motion or pollutants. Wireless sensor networks are now used in many industrial and civilian application areas, including industrial process monitoring and control, machine health monitoring, environment and habitat monitoring, healthcare applications, home automation, and traffic control.
In addition to one or more sensors, each sensor node in a wireless sensor network is typically equipped with a radio transceiver or other wireless communications device, a small microcontroller, and an energy source, usually a battery, and a device acting as the sensor node may be called a wireless sensor. In many cases, the wireless sensor network works as an infrastructure, embedded into working field such as environment, buildings or etc., with no need of maintenance, where, the wireless sensor needs to be battery-power-supplied and work without user intervention, and usually, the wireless sensor becomes un-touchable after it is installed in a working field. For example, when a wireless sensor network is applied to a parking monitor system, battery-supplied wireless sensors are mounted under the ground surface of a parking field to detect presence of vehicles and report status to a management node through wireless. Usually, these wireless sensors are covered by a shell of some material, e.g., epoxy or etc., to provide protection, and its housing is usually permanently sealed and has not external interface to provide enough protection. Thus, these wireless sensors become un-touchable once they are mounted underground.
However, it is a problem to be solved in the prior art that how to perform switch control for such un-touchable wireless device. Since this wireless device will become un-touchable after it is installed in a working field and it is also not proper to mount a switch button on its housing, it is impossible to turn on/off the wireless device by pressing a switch button. And therefore, it is usually needed to power on the un-touchable wireless device before it is installed in a working field, and for some wireless devices, even it is needed to power on them in their manufacture procedure (e.g., power on a wireless device before its housing is sealed). Thus, such un-touchable wireless device has to be powered on before it is installed in a working field and starts to work, which will greatly shorten the life cycle of this wireless device, and a lot of electronic energy will be wasted because this wireless device can not be powered off during its whole life cycle. Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides a wireless device, a wireless system and a switch control method thereof, in order to perform switch control for the wireless device with low costs and little power consumption.
In one aspect of the present invention, a wireless device is provided, including a main circuit, a power supply, a Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvest component and an electronic power switch; wherein: the RF energy harvest component is adapted to harvest electronic power from an external RF signal, and use the harvested electronic power to trigger the electronic power switch to connect the main circuit to the power supply or disconnect the main circuit from the power supply.
In one aspect of the present invention, the RF energy harvest component is adapted to generate a control signal using the harvested electronic power, and input the control signal to the electronic power switch; and, the electronic power switch is adapted to determine whether to change connection state between the main circuit and the power supply according to the control signal.
In one aspect of the present invention, the wireless device further includes a decoder; the RF energy harvest component is adapted to harvest electronic power from the external RF signal and use the harvested electronic power to trigger the decoder to work; the decoder is adapted to obtain a control signal from the RF signal by decoding after being triggered; and, the electronic power switch is adapted to determine whether to change connection state between the main circuit and the power supply according to the control signal. In one aspect of the present invention, the RF energy harvest component is a coil or a passive RF Identification (RFID) tag; and/or, the electronic power switch includes: a flip flop and a MOSFET, wherein, the MOFSET is adapted to control the connection state between the main circuit and the power supply, the flip flop is adapted to receive the control signal and determine whether to trigger the MOSFET to change the connection state between the main circuit and the power supply according to the control signal.
In one aspect of the present invention, a switch control method for a wireless device is provided, wherein, the wireless device at least includes: a main circuit, a power supply, a Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvest component and an electronic power switch; the method includes: harvesting, by the RF energy harvest component, electronic power from an external RF signal; and, triggering, by the RF energy harvest component, the electronic power switch by using the harvested electronic power to connect the main circuit to the power supply or disconnect the main circuit from the power supply.
In one aspect of the present invention, the step of triggering, by the RF energy harvest component, the electronic power switch by using the harvested electronic power to connect the main circuit to the power supply or disconnect the main circuit from the power supply, includes: generating, by the RF energy harvest component, a control signal by using the harvested electronic power, and inputting, by the RF energy harvest component, the control signal to the electronic power switch, and determining, by the electronic power switch, whether to change connection state between the main circuit and the power supply according to the control signal.
In one aspect of the present invention, the step of triggering, by the RF energy harvest component, the electronic power switch by using the harvested electronic power to connect the main circuit to the power supply or disconnect the main circuit from the power supply, includes: harvesting, by the RF energy harvest component, electronic power from the external RF signal, and triggering , by the RF energy harvest component, a decoder by using the harvested electronic power; obtaining, by the decoder, a control signal from the RF signal by decoding after being triggered, and determining, by the electronic power switch, whether to change connection state between the main circuit and the power supply according to the control signal.
In one aspect of the present invention, the determining, by the electronic power switch, whether to change connection state between the main circuit and the power supply according to the control signal, includes: receiving, by the electronic power switch, the control signal, changing the connection state when the control signal is in a high level, and keeping the connection state unchanged when the control signal is in a low level or blocked.
In one aspect of the present invention, a wireless system is provided, the system includes: at least one aforementioned wireless device and a Radio Frequency (RF) signal source.
In one aspect of the present invention, a wireless device is provided, including: a main circuit, a power supply and a reed switch; wherein: the reed switch is adapted to alternate its switch state upon proximity or departure of an external magnet to make the main circuit be connected to or be disconnected from the power supply.
In one aspect of the present invention, the reed switch, the main circuit and the power supply are connected in series; the reed switch is switched off upon the proximity of the magnet, and the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply; and, the reed switch is switched on upon the departure of the magnet, and the main circuit is connected to the power supply.
In one aspect of the present invention, the wireless device further includes a latching relay, wherein: two ends of the reed switch are respectively connected to the latching relay and the power supply, and the latching relay is connected to the reed switch, the main circuit and the power supply; the initial switch state of the reed switch is switched-off and the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply; and, the reed switch is switched on upon the proximity of the magnet, the latching relay is switched on, the switched-on of the latching relay makes the main circuit be connected to the power supply, and the latching relay keeps switched on upon the departure of the magnet.
In one aspect of the present invention, the wireless device further includes: a first MOSFET and a second MOSFET; wherein: the grid of the first MOSFET is connected to the reed switch, the source and the drain of the first MOSFSET are respectively connected to the power supply and the main circuit, the grid of the second MOSFET is connected to the main circuit, and the drain and the source of the second MOSFET are respectively connected to two ends of the reed switch; the initial switch state of the reed switch is switched-off, the initial switch state of the first MOSFET is switched-off, the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply, and the initial switch state of the second MOSFET is switched-off; the reed switch is switched on upon the proximity of the magnet, the switched-on of the reed switch makes the first MOFSET be switched on, the switched-on of the first MOFSET makes the main circuit be connected to the power supply, and then, the main circuit switches on the second MOSFET by sending a control signal to the second MOSFET, and the switched-on of the second MOFSET makes the switch state of the first MOSFET be unchanged upon the departure of the magnet; the reed switch is switched off upon the departure of the magnet; and, after a period of time since the departure of the magnet, the main circuit stops outputting the control signal to the second MOFSET to make the second MOFSET be switched off, the switched-off of the second MOFSET makes the fist MOFSET be switched off, and the switched-off of the first MOFSET makes the main circuit be disconnected from the power supply.
In one aspect of the present invention, a switch control method for a wireless device is provided, the wireless device at least including: a main circuit, a power supply and a reed switch; the method including: alternating, by the reed switch, its switch state upon proximity or departure of an external magnet to make the main circuit be connected to or be disconnected from the power supply.
In one aspect of the present invention, alternating, by the reed switch, its switch state upon proximity or departure of an external magnet to make the main circuit be connected to or disconnected from the power supply, includes: the initial switch state of the reed switch being switched-off and the main circuit being disconnected from the power supply, the reed switch being switched off upon the proximity of the magnet and the main circuit being disconnected from the power supply, and the reed switch being switched on upon the departure of the magnet and the main circuit being connected to the power supply; or, the initial switch state of the reed switch being switched-off and the main circuit being disconnected from the power supply, the reed switch being switched on upon the proximity of the magnet, a latching relay being switched on, the switched-on of the latching relay making the main circuit connected to the power supply, and the latching relay keeping switched on and the main circuit keeping connected to the power supply upon the departure of the magnet; or, the initial switch state of the reed switch being switched-off, the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply; the reed switch being switched on and a first MOFSET being switched on upon the proximity of the magnet, the switched-on of the first MOFSET making the main circuit connected to the power supply, the main circuit being connected to the power supply switching on a second MOSFET by sending a control signal to the second MOSFET; upon the departure of the magnet, the reed switch being switched off, the switched-on of the second MOFSET making the switch state of the first MOSFET unchanged, and the main circuit keeping connected to the power supply; and after a period of time since the departure of the magnet, the main circuit stopping outputting the control signal to the second MOFSET, the second MOFSET being switched off, the switched-off of the second MOFSET making the first MOFSET switched off, and the switched-off of the first MOFSET making the main circuit disconnected from the power supply.
In one aspect of the present invention, a wireless system is provided, the system includes: at least one wireless aforementioned device and a magnet.
In one aspect of the present invention, a switch control method for a wireless device is provided, the method includes: switching, by the wireless device, between a sleep mode and a listening mode periodically when in an inactive state; and, entering, by the wireless device, an active state when the wireless device receives an activating message from externals at the listening mode.
In one aspect of the present invention, there are only a wireless transceiver module and a control unit running in the wireless device when the wireless device is at the listening mode.
In one aspect of the present invention, the activating message is sent periodically, and a sending period of the activating message is less than a listening period of the wireless device.
In one aspect of the present invention, a wireless system is provided, the system includes: an activating node and at least one wireless device, wherein: the activating node is adapted to send an activating message; and, the wireless device is adapted to switch between a sleep mode and a listening mode periodically when in an inactive state, and enter an active state when receiving the activating message at the listening mode.
In one aspect of the present invention, the activating node is adapted to send at least one said activating message periodically; the wireless device is adapted to enter the active state when receiving any one of said activating message at the listening mode; and, the activating node is adapted to stop sending the activating message when the at least on wireless device all enters the active state.
In one aspect of the present invention, a sending period of the activating message is less than a listening period of the wireless device.
In one aspect of the present invention, a wireless device in the above wireless system is provided, the wireless device at least includes a wireless transceiver module and a control unit, wherein: when the wireless device is in the inactive state, the wireless transceiver module and the control unit are adapted to run periodically, and the control unit is adapted to make the wireless device enter the active state when the wireless transceiver module receives the activating message from the externals.
In one aspect of the present invention, a machine-readable storage medium, adapted to store instructions for enabling a machine to implement the aforementioned switch control method for a wireless device.
By adopting the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present invention, switch control can be conveniently performed for the wireless device without direct touching with low implementation costs, and such technical solutions consumes very little electronic power.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter with accompany drawings to make those ordinarily skilled in this art understand the aforementioned and other features and advantages of the present invention more clearly; wherein:
Figure 1 is a diagram showing a structure of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the electronic power switch in the wireless device shown in Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a diagram showing a structure of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a diagram showing a structure of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 is a diagram showing a structure of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a diagram showing a structure of a wireless system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 9 is a sequence diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention; and,
Figure 10 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Embodiments of the Invention
The present invention is further described in detail with the accompany drawings and embodiments hereinafter. It should be understand that the specific embodiments described herein are just for explaining, but not for limiting the present invention.
Embodiments of the present invention provide three kinds of switch control solutions for wireless devices which will be described one by one in detail hereinafter.
I. Switch control solutions adopting a Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvest component
Figure 1 shows a structure of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the wireless device at least includes: a main circuit 101, an RF energy harvest component 102, an electronic power switch 103 and a power supply 104. Wherein, the RF energy harvest component 102 may harvest electronic power from external RF signals so as to trigger the electronic power switch 103 to change its switch state. The electronic power switch 103 is connected between the main circuit 101 and the power supply 104, and its switched-on or switched-off can make the main circuit 101 be connected to or be disconnected from the power supply 104, so as to switch on or switch off the main circuit 101. Functions of these three parts are described in detail as follows.
The main circuit 101 is the main part of the wireless device and includes a control unit such as a Micro Control Unit (MCU) or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or etc., and an application function module such as a sensor module and/or a wireless communication module or etc.
The electronic power switch 103 is adapted to control a connection state between the main circuit 101 and the power supply 104. The electronic power switch 103 has a control pin, and its state changes according the input signal on this control pin. For example, when the input signal on the control pin is in a high level (i.e., the control pin is set high), the switch state of the electronic power switch 103 will alternate (e.g., it is changed from a switched-on state to a switched-off state, or is changed from the switched-off state to the switched-on state) so that the connection state between the main circuit 101 and the power supply 104 will alternate; and otherwise, the switch state of the electronic power switch 103 will remain when the input signal on the control pin is in a low level (i.e., the control pin is set low) or is blocked (i.e., the control pin is set in a high-Z state), so that the connection state between the main circuit 101 and the power supply 104 will remain. When the electronic power switch 103 is in the switched-off state, the main circuit 101 is disconnected from the power supply 104 and does not consume any electronic power.
The RF energy harvest component 102 is adapted to harvest electronic power from the external RF signals and generate control signals for the electronic power switch 103, the Input/Output (I/O) pin of the RF energy harvest component 102 is connected to the control pin of the electronic power switch 103 in order to output a control signal to the electronic power switch 103 to control the electronic power switch 103's switched-on and switched-off. Here, the control signal outputted to the electronic power switch 103 is the aforementioned input signal on the control pin of the electronic power switch 103. The RF energy harvest component 102 is working in a passive mode and does not consume any electronic power of a battery, and it can be activated by the RF signal from an external RF signal source (an RF signal transmitter or an RF Identification reader). When it is needed to turn on or turn off the wireless device, the external RF signal source can transmit an RF signal to the wireless device, and then the RF energy harvest component 102 can trigger the electronic power switch 103 to alternate its switch state after the RF energy harvest component 102 has obtained enough electronic power.
By adopting the above switch control solution, the wireless device can keep in the switched-off state and does not consume any electronic power before it is installed in the working field, and after installed in the working field, it can be switched on at any time by an RF signal from an external RF signal resource, and it can also be switched off at any time by the RF signal, thus, unnecessary consumption of electronic power can be avoided generally, and the electronic power of the battery equipped on the wireless device can be fully utilized so that the life cycle of the wireless device can be greatly extended.
In above embodiments, the RF energy harvest component 102 may be a coil or a passive RFID (RF Identification) tag. Wherein, when a passive RFID tag is used as the RF energy harvest component 102, the passive RFID tag needs to have a digital output to output a control signal to the electronic power switch 103, and further, the passive RFID tag can also be used to realize functions, such as authentication and etc., for the wireless device.
Figure 2 shows a structure of a specific example of the electronic power switch 103.
In Figure 2, the electronic power switch 103 includes a flip flop 201 and a Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET) 202. Wherein, the MOSFET 202 is adapted to control the power supply 104 of the main circuit 101, the flip flop 201 is adapted to save the connection state between the main circuit 101 and the power supply 104, receive the control signal from the RF energy harvest component 102 through its Input/Output pin, and when the Input/Output pin is set high, the connection state saved will toggle once and the MOSFET 202 will be triggered to alternate the connection state between the main circuit 101 and the power supply 104, e.g., change from being connected to being disconnected, or change from being disconnected to being connected.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a decoder can be added between the RF energy harvest component 102 and the electronic power switch 103 in the wireless device shown in Figure 1. After the RF energy harvest component 102 has obtained enough electronic power from the RF signal, it can activate the decoder. The decoder can obtain the control signal from the received RF signal by decoding, and can control the switch state of the electronic power switch 103 according to the control signal. For example, the decoder can set the Input/Output pin of the electronic power switch as high after obtaining a control signal indicating switched-on from the RF signal by decoding, so that the electronic power switch 103 is switched on which makes the main circuit 101 be connected to the power supply 104.
Based on the above wireless device, the embodiment of the present invention further provides a switch control method for the wireless device, and the method is applied to the aforementioned wireless device which at least includes an RF energy harvest component, an electronic power switch and a main circuit. As shown in Figure 3, the method includes the following steps:
Step 301 : the RF energy harvest component harvests electronic power from an external RF signal;
Step 302: a control signal is generated by using the electronic power harvested, wherein, the control signal may be generated by the RF energy harvest component by using the electronic power harvested, and alternatively, the control signal may be decoded from the RF signal by a decoder which is activated by RF energy harvest component using the electronic power harvested.
Step 303 : the electronic power switch makes the main circuit be connected to the power supply or disconnected from the power supply according to the received control signal.
The specific implementation of the above steps has been discussed before, which will not be discussed herein again.
The embodiment of the present invention further provides a wireless system, the system includes: at least on aforementioned wireless device and an RF signal source, where, the wireless device can harvest electronic power from the RF signal transmitted from the RF signal source to perform its switch control, the specific method for implementing the switch control has been discussed before, which will not be discussed herein again. Wherein, the RF signal source may be any apparatus that is able to transmit the RF signal, such as an RF transmitter or an RFID reader or etc.
In the above embodiment of the present invention, the wireless device can be a wireless sensor in the wireless sensor network. This wireless sensor is usually un-touchable in the working field and is battery-power-supplied. After applied with the switch control solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the wireless sensor is not needed to be turned on and consume no electronic power before its installation in the working field, and after being installed in the working field, it can be turned on easily and may also be turned on only when necessary, thereby waste of electronic power can be greatly reduced and the usage life of the wireless sensor can be extended a lot. In addition, the implementation of the embodiment of the present invention is easy and of low costs.
II. Switch control solutions adopting a reed switch
Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless device adopting a reed switch, the reed switch can make the main circuit be connected to or be disconnected from the power supply by alternating its switch state upon proximity or departure of an external magnet. There proposed three solutions as followed.
In the first solution, when the external magnet is in proximity, the reed switch is turned off so that the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply, and the reed switch is turned on upon the departure of the external magnet so that the main circuit is connected to the power supply.
Figure 4 shows a structure of a first wireless device adopting a reed switch. As shown in Figure 4, the wireless device includes: a reed switch 401, a main circuit 402 and a power supply 403, where, the reed switch 401, the main circuit 402 and the power supply 403 are connected together in series, and the reed switch 401 is arranged between the main circuit 402 and the power supply 403. At first, a magnet is attached outside of the wireless device's housing, the reed switch 401 is turned off because of the proximity of the magnet so that the main circuit 402 is disconnected from the power supply 403. The magnet will be removed when the wireless device is in use, and the removal of the magnet will make the reed switch 401 be turned on, so that the main circuit 402 is connected to the power supply 403. Preferably, the magnet is a permanent magnet.
Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the reed switch 401 is connected in series on the power line of the main circuit 402. Its reed contacts are separated (i.e., the reed switch 401 are open and in a switched-off state) upon the proximity of the magnet, so that the connection between the main circuit 402 and the power supply 403 is cut off and the main circuit 402 is in the switched-off state. Upon the departure of the magnet, the reed contacts of the reed switch 401 are closing (i.e., the reed switch 401 is closed and in a switched-on state), so that the main circuit 402 is connected to the power supply 403 and in the switched-on state. Preferably, the reed switch 401 may be mounted at a place very near to the inner surface of the wireless device's housing.
In the second solution, the initial switch state of reed switch is switched-off, so that the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply. The reed switch is switched on upon the proximity of an external magnet, so that the main circuit is connected to the power supply, and the switched-on of the reed switch also makes a latching relay be switched on, and the switched-on state of the latching relay is not affect by the departure of the external magnet, so that the main circuit can keep connected to the power supply upon the departure of the external magnet.
Figure 5 shows a structure of a second wireless device adopting a reed switch. As shown in Figure 5, the wireless device includes: a reed switch 501, a latching relay 502, a main circuit 503 and a power supply 504. Wherein, the two ends of the reed switch 501 respectively connect a controlling end of the latching relay 502 and an end of the power supply 504, a controlled end of the latching relay 502 connects the common end of the reed switch 501 and the power supply 504, a load end of the latching relay 502 connects an end of the main circuit 503, and a grounding end of the latching relay 502 connects together with the other end of the main circuit 503 and the other end of the power supply 504 to the ground. The latching relay 502 may close a switch from the controlled end to the load end according to a current signal inputted from the controlling end so as to start up the load end. Here, when the current value inputted from the controlling end reaches a certain level, the controlled end of the latching relay 502 will be connected to its load end, and this connection state will remain and will not be disconnected even when there is no current inputted to the controlling end.
At first, the reed switch 501 is open (i.e., is in the switched-off state), so that the main circuit 503 is disconnected from the power supply 504 and is in the switched-off state. When an external magnet is in proximity, the reed switch 501 is closed (i.e., is in the switched-on state), the latching relay 502 is also switched on and keeps its switched-on state, so that the main circuit 503 is switched on and keeps its switched-on state. And then, the switch state of the reed switch 501 changes upon the departure of the magnet, but this does not affect the state of the latching relay 502, and thus the main circuit 503 will keep the switched-on state.
In the third solution, the initial switch state of the reed switch is switched-off, the initial switch state of a first MOSFET is switched-off, so that the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply, and the initial switch state of a second MOSFET is also switched-off. The reed switch is switched on upon the proximity of an external magnet, so that the first MOSFET is switched on which makes the main circuit be connected to the power supply, and then, the main circuit switches on the second MOSFET by sending a control signal to the second MOSFET, and the switched-on state of the second MOSFET will not be affected by the departure of the external magnet. Thus, the main circuit keeps connected to the power supply within a period of time since the departure of the external magnet, and after this period of time, the main circuit stops outputting the control signal to the second MOSFET which makes the second MOSFET be switched off, the switched-off of the second MOSFET and the reed switch makes the first MOSFET be switched off, so that the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply.
Figure 6 shows a structure of a third wireless device adopting a reed switch. As shown in Figure 6, the wireless device includes: a reed switch 601, a main circuit 602, a MOSFET Ql a MOSFET Q2 and a power supply 603. Wherein, the grid of the MOSFET Ql is connected to an end of the reed switch 601, the source of the MOSFET Ql is connected to an end of the power supply 603, the drain of the MOSFET Ql is connected to an end of the main circuit 602, the grid of the MOSFET Q2 is connected to a control unit in the main circuit 602, the drain of the MOSFET Q2 is connected to the common end of the reed switch 601 and the grid of the MOSFET Ql, the source of the MOSFET Q2 is connected to the other end of the reed switch 601, the other end of the main circuit 602 and the other end of the power supply 603. A resistor may also be connected between the grid of the MOSFET Ql and the source thereof, and the resistance value of the resistor depends on specific application requirements.
At the initial state, the reed switch 601 is open (i.e., in the switched-off state), the MOSFET Ql is switched off, the main circuit 602 is in the switched-off state because it is disconnected from the power supply 603, the MOSFET Q2 is switched off. Upon the proximity of an external magnet, the reed switch 601 is closed (i.e., in the switched-on state), the MOSFET Ql is switched on, so that the main circuit 602 is connected to the power supply 603, and the control unit therein (e.g., CPU or MCU) begins to run. After running, the control unit switches on the MOSFET Q2 by a General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) control signal, so that the MOSFET Ql will keep the switched-on state and its switched-on state will not be affect by the departure of the magnet. After a period of time, the control unit in the main circuit 602 stops running and does not output the GPIO control signal to the MOFSET Q2, so that the MOSFET Q2 is switched off and then the MOSFET Ql is switched off too. And at this time, the main circuit 602 comes back to the switched-off state again.
Based on the above wireless device, the embodiment of the present invention further provides a switch control method for the wireless device, and the method is applied to the aforementioned wireless device which at least includes a reed switch and a main circuit. As shown in Figure 7, the method includes the following steps:
Step 701 : the initial state of the reed switch is switched-off;
Step 702: the reed switch is switched on and triggers the main circuit connected to be connected to the power supply when detects proximity or departure of an external magnet.
The specific implementation of the above steps has been discussed before, which will not be discussed herein again. The embodiment of the present invention further provides a wireless system, the system includes: at least on aforementioned wireless device and a magnet, where, the wireless device can detect the proximity or departure of the magnet so as to perform its switch control, the specific method for implementing the switch control has been discussed before, which will not be discussed herein again. Wherein, the magnet may be a permanent magnet.
In the above embodiment of the present invention, the wireless device can be a wireless sensor in the wireless sensor network. This wireless sensor is usually un-touchable in the working field and is battery-power-supplied. After applied with the switch control solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the wireless sensor is not needed to be turned on and consume no electronic power before its installation in the working field, and after being installed in the working field, it can be turned on easily, thereby waste of electronic power can be greatly reduced and the usage life of the wireless sensor can be extended a lot. In addition, the implementation of the embodiment of the present invention is easy and of low costs.
III. Switch control solutions adopting an activating message
In the switch control solutions, each wireless device in a wireless system can be activated by setting an activating node for sending an activating message in the wireless system.
Figure 8 shows a structure of a wireless system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless system includes an activating node 801 and multiple wireless devices 802. The activating node 801 can send out an activating message periodically after being switched on. In an inactive state, the wireless device 802 is in a sleep mode at most of the time, and it periodically switches to a listening mode, that is, periodically switches between the sleep mode and the listening mode. Wherein, whenever the wireless device 802 switches to the listening mode, it will switch to an active state (i.e., a normal running state) if receiving an activating message within a predetermined listening period, and otherwise it will switch to the sleep mode; and after the wireless device 802 enters the sleep mode, it will switch to the listening mode after a predetermined sleep period. After all the wireless devices 802 are activated, the activating node 801 stops sending out the activating message, e.g., only terminates the function for sending out the activating message, or turns off automatically, or is turned off manually. Preferably, the sending period of the activating message from the activating node 801 is less than the listening period of the wireless device 802. Here, each wireless device 802 may send out a message indicating its entering the active state, the activating node 801 can determine which wireless device 802 has been activated and whether all the wireless devices 802 have been activated according to the messages from each wireless device 802.
Herein, when the wireless device 802 is in the listening mode, most parts of the wireless device 802 are in the switched-off state except that a wireless transceiver module and a control unit therein are running, and thus it consumes little electronic power. However, when the wireless device 802 is in the sleep mode, not only the most parts but also the wireless transceiver module is in the switched-off state, and only the control unit is running, therefore the consumption of the electronic power is less. It should be noted herein that when the wireless device 802 is in the sleep mode, all parts in the control unit except a timer stop running (i.e., are in a sleep state), and they are waked up by the timer in the control unit when to switch to the listening mode. Thus, the wireless device 802 almost consumes no electronic power when it is in the sleep mode.
The embodiments of the present invention further provide a wireless device in the above wireless system, the wireless device at least includes a wireless transceiver module and a control unit, wherein: the wireless transceiver module and the control unit runs periodically when the wireless device in an inactive state, and the control unit makes the wireless device switch to an active state when the wireless transceiver module receives an activating message from externals.
Figures 9 and 10 give a specific example of the above technical solution applying to a wireless sensor network. In this example, an activating node is arranged in the wireless sensor network, the wireless sensor network further includes sensor nodes A, B and C. Wherein, Figure 9 is a sequence diagram while Figure 10 is a method flow chart. The example is discussed in detail in combination with the two figures as follows.
As shown in Figure 10, the method procedure includes the following steps:
Step 1001 : the activating node is set in the wireless sensor network, and the initial state of the activating node is switched off.
Step 1002: the sensor nodes A, B and C are initially in an inactive states and switch between a sleep mode and a listening mode periodically. As shown in Figure 9, its listening period is tO while its sleep period is TO.
Step 1003 : the activating node sends out multiple activating messages periodically. As shown in Figure 9, the activating node is switched on at time tn and starts to send out activating messages continuously.
Step 1004: in the listening mode, each sensor node switches to the normal running state if receives an activating message within the listening period, and otherwise it switches to the sleep mode when the listening period expires. As shown in Figure 9, the sensor node A receives an activating message in its second listening period, the sensor node B receives an activating message in its third listening period, and the sensor node C receives an activating message in its second listening period, and they switch to the normal running state (i.e., the active state) respectively when they receives an activating message.
Step 1005: the activating node is switched off and stops sending out the activating messages when all the sensor nodes have entered the active state. As shown in Figure 9, the activating node is switched off at time tm and stops sending out the activating messages after the sensor nodes A, B and C are all activated.
Further, configuration information may also be carried in the activating message so as to accomplish configuration for the wireless devices at the same time when they are activated. The configuration information herein includes configuration information related to wireless links and/or that related to sensors.
In the above embodiments of the present invention, the activating node may be a device newly added to a wireless network, and may also be realized by the existing device in the wireless network, e.g., a gateway node or a repeater node. And the wireless device activated by the activating node may be the wireless sensor in the wireless sensor network, and this wireless sensor is usually un-touchable in the working field and is battery-power-supplied. After applied with the switch control solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the wireless sensor is not needed to be in the normal running state and consumes very little electronic power before its installation in the working field, and after being installed in the working field, it can be turned on easily, thereby waste of electronic power can be greatly reduced and the usage life of the wireless sensor can be extended a lot. In addition, the implementation of the embodiment of the present invention is easy and of low costs.
The present invention further provides a machine-readable storage medium for storing instructions which can make a machine implement the switch control method for the wireless device as discussed in this paper. Specifically, a system or apparatus equipped with a storage medium can be provided, where, software program codes for implementing functions of any of the aforementioned embodiments are stored in this storage medium, and it can make a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus read out and perform the program codes stored in the storage medium.
In this case, the program codes read from the storage medium itself can implement the functions of any of the aforementioned embodiments, and therefore, the program codes and the storage medium storing the program codes form a part of the present invention.
Embodiments of the storage medium providing the program codes include a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic disk, compact disk (e.g., CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW and DVD+RW), a tape, a nonvolatile memory card and ROM). Optionally, it is possible to download the program codes from a server computer via a communication network.
In addition, it should be clear that, an operating system running on a computer can be enabled to accomplish a part of or all of actual operations by performing not only the program codes read out by the computer but also instructions based on the program codes, so as to realize functions of any of the aforementioned embodiments.
Moreover, it can be understood that, the program codes read out by the storage medium can be written into a memory adapted on an extended board inside a computer or be written into a memory adapted in an extended unit connected with a computer, and then the instructions based on the program codes enable a CPU equipped on the extended board or the extended unit is enabled to implement a part of or all of the actual operations, so as to realize functions of any of the aforementioned embodiments.
The embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless device, including a main circuit, a power supply, a RF energy harvest component and an electronic power switch, wherein: the RF energy harvest component harvests electronic power from external RF signals so as to trigger the electronic power switch to connect or disconnect the line between the main circuit and the power supply by using the harvested electronic power The embodiments of the present invention also provide other wireless devices and corresponding wireless systems and switch control methods. By adopting the embodiments of the present invention, the switch control for the wireless device can be performed with low costs and little power consumption.
The foregoing is only preferred embodiments of the present invention, however, is not used to limit the present invention. Any modification, change or substitution, without departing from the spirit and principle of the present invention, should be covered by the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims
1. A wireless device, comprising a main circuit (101), a power supply (104), a Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvest component (102) and an electronic power switch (103); wherein:
the RF energy harvest component (102) is adapted to harvest electronic power from an external RF signal, and use the harvested electronic power to trigger the electronic power switch (103) to connect the main circuit (101) to the power supply (104) or disconnect the main circuit (101) from the power supply (104).
2. The wireless device according to claim 1, wherein, the RF energy harvest component (102) is adapted to generate a control signal using the harvested electronic power, and input the control signal to the electronic power switch (103); and,
the electronic power switch (103) is adapted to determine whether to change connection state between the main circuit (101) and the power supply (104) according to the control signal.
3. The wireless device according to claim 1, further comprises a decoder;
the RF energy harvest component (102) is adapted to harvest electronic power from the external RF signal and use the harvested electronic power to trigger the decoder;
the decoder is adapted to obtain a control signal from the RF signal by decoding after being triggered; and,
the electronic power switch (103) is adapted to determine whether to change connection state between the main circuit (101) and the power supply (104) according to the control signal.
4. The wireless device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, the RF energy harvest component (102) is a coil or a passive RF Identification (RFID) tag; and/or,
the electronic power switch (103) comprises: a flip flop (201) and a MOSFET (202), wherein, the MOFSET (202) is adapted to control the connection state between the main circuit (101) and the power supply (104), and the flip flop (201) is adapted to receive the control signal and determine whether to trigger the MOSFET (202) to change the connection state between the main circuit (101) and the power supply (104) according to the control signal.
5. A switch control method for a wireless device, wherein, the wireless device at least comprises: a main circuit, a power supply, a Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvest component and an electronic power switch; the method comprises:
harvesting, by the RF energy harvest component, electronic power from an external RF signal (301); and,
triggering, by the RF energy harvest component, the electronic power switch by using the harvested electronic power to connect the main circuit to the power supply or disconnect the main circuit from the power supply (303).
6. The switch control method according to claim 5, wherein, the step of triggering, by the RF energy harvest component, the electronic power switch by using the harvested electronic power to connect the main circuit to the power supply or disconnect the main circuit from the power supply, comprises:
generating, by the RF energy harvest component, a control signal by using the harvested electronic power (302);
inputting, by the RF energy harvest component, the control signal to the electronic power switch; and
determining, by the electronic power switch, whether to change connection state between the main circuit and the power supply according to the control signal (303).
7. The switch control method according to claim 5, wherein, the step of triggering, by the RF energy harvest component, the electronic power switch by using the harvested electronic power to connect the main circuit to the power supply or disconnect the main circuit from the power supply, comprises:
harvesting, by the RF energy harvest component, electronic power from the external RF signal;
triggering a decoder, by the RF energy harvest component, using the harvested electronic power;
obtaining, by the decoder, a control signal from the RF signal by decoding after being triggered (302); and
determining, by the electronic power switch, whether to change connection state between the main circuit and the power supply according to the control signal (303).
8. The switch control method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, the step of determining, by the electronic power switch, whether to change connection state between the main circuit and the power supply according to the control signal, comprises:
receiving, by the electronic power switch, the control signal;
changing, by the electronic power switch, the connection state when the control signal is in a high level; and
keeping, by the electronic power switch, the connection state unchanged when the control signal is in a low level or blocked.
9. A wireless device, comprising: a main circuit (402, 503, 602), a power supply (403, 504, 603) and a reed switch (401, 501, 601); wherein:
the reed switch (401, 501, 601) is adapted to alternate its switch state upon proximity or departure of an external magnet to make the main circuit (402, 503, 602) be connected to or be disconnected from the power supply (403, 504, 603).
10. The wireless device according to claim 9, wherein, the reed switch (401), the main circuit (402) and the power supply (403) are connected in series;
the reed switch (401) is switched off upon the proximity of the magnet, and the main circuit (402) is disconnected from the power supply (403); and,
the reed switch (401) is switched on upon the departure of the magnet, and the main circuit (402) is connected to the power supply (403).
11. The wireless device according to claim 9, further comprising a latching relay
(502) , wherein: two ends of the reed switch (501) are respectively connected to the latching relay (502) and the power supply (504), and the latching relay (501) is connected to the reed switch (501), the main circuit (503) and the power supply (504);
the initial switch state of the reed switch (501) is switched-off and the main circuit
(503) is disconnected from the power supply (504); and,
the reed switch (501) is switched on upon the proximity of the magnet, the latching relay (502) is switched on, the switched-on of the latching relay (502) makes the main circuit (503) be connected to the power supply (504), and the latching relay (502) keeps switched on upon the departure of the magnet.
12. The wireless device according to claim 9, further comprising: a first MOSFET (Ql) and a second MOSFET (Q2); wherein: the grid of the first MOSFET (Ql) is connected to the reed switch (601), the source and the drain of the first MOSFSET (Ql) are respectively connected to the power supply (603) and the main circuit (602), the grid of the second MOSFET (Q2) is connected to the main circuit (602), and the drain and the source of the second MOSFET (Q2) are respectively connected to two ends of the reed switch (601);
the initial switch state of the reed switch (601) is switched-off, the initial switch state of the first MOSFET (Ql) is switched-off, the main circuit (602) is disconnected from the power supply (603), and the initial switch state of the second MOSFET (Q2) is switched-off;
the reed switch (601) is switched on upon the proximity of the magnet, the switched-on of the reed switch (601) makes the first MOFSET (Ql) be switched on, the switched-on of the first MOFSET (Ql) makes the main circuit (602) be connected to the power supply (603), and then, the main circuit (602) switches on the second MOSFET (Q2) by sending a control signal to the second MOSFET (Q2), and the switched-on of the second MOFSET (Q2) makes the switch state of the first MOSFET (Ql) be unchanged upon the departure of the magnet;
the reed switch (601) is switched off upon the departure of the magnet; and, after a period of time since the departure of the magnet, the main circuit (602) stops outputting the control signal to the second MOFSET (Q2) to make the second MOFSET (Q2) be switched off, the switched-off of the second MOFSET (Q2) makes the fist MOFSET (Ql) be switched off, and the switched-off of the first MOFSET (Ql) makes the main circuit (602) be disconnected from the power supply (603).
13. A switch control method for a wireless device, the wireless device at least comprising: a main circuit, a power supply and a reed switch; the method comprising: alternating, by the reed switch, its switch state upon proximity or departure of an external magnet to make the main circuit be connected to or be disconnected from the power supply (702).
14. The switch control method according to claim 13, wherein, the step of alternating, by the reed switch, its switch state upon proximity or departure of an external magnet to make the main circuit be connected to or be disconnected from the power supply, comprises:
the initial switch state of the reed switch being switched-off and the main circuit being disconnected from the power supply (701), the reed switch being switched off upon the proximity of the magnet and the main circuit being disconnected from the power supply, and the reed switch being switched on upon the departure of the magnet and the main circuit being connected to the power supply (702); or,
the initial switch state of the reed switch being switched-off and the main circuit being disconnected from the power supply (701), the reed switch being switched on upon the proximity of the magnet, a latching relay being switched on, the switched-on of the latching relay making the main circuit connected to the power supply, and the latching relay keeping switched on and the main circuit keeping connected to the power supply upon the departure of the magnet (702); or,
the initial switch state of the reed switch being switched-off, the main circuit is disconnected from the power supply (701); the reed switch being switched on and a first MOFSET being switched on upon the proximity of the magnet, the switched-on of the first MOFSET making the main circuit connected to the power supply, the main circuit being connected to the power supply switching on a second MOSFET by sending a control signal to the second MOSFET; upon the departure of the magnet, the reed switch being switched off, the switched-on of the second MOFSET making the switch state of the first MOSFET unchanged, and the main circuit keeping connected to the power supply; and after a period of time since the departure of the magnet, the main circuit stopping outputting the control signal to the second MOFSET, the second MOFSET being switched off, the switched-off of the second MOFSET making the first MOFSET switched off, and the switched-off of the first MOFSET making the main circuit disconnected from the power supply (702).
15. A switch control method for a wireless device, comprising:
switching, by the wireless device, between a sleep mode and a listening mode periodically when the wireless device is in an inactive state (1002); and,
entering, by the wireless device, an active state when the wireless device receives an activating message from externals at the listening mode (1004).
16. The switch control method according to claim 15, wherein, there are only a wireless transceiver module and a control unit running in the wireless device when the wireless device is at the listening mode.
17. The switch control method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein, the activating message is sent periodically, and a sending period of the activating message is less than a listening period of the wireless device.
18. A wireless system, comprising: an activating node (801) and at least one wireless device (802), wherein:
the activating node (801) is adapted to send an activating message; and,
the wireless device (802) is adapted to switch between a sleep mode and a listening mode periodically when in an inactive state, and enter an active state when receiving the activating message at the listening mode.
19. The wireless system according to claim 18, wherein, the activating node (801) is adapted to send at least one said activating message periodically;
the wireless device (802) is adapted to enter the active state when receiving any one of said activating message at the listening mode; and,
the activating node (801) is adapted to stop sending the activating message when the at least on wireless device (802) all enters the active state.
20. The wireless system according to claim 19, wherein, a sending period of the activating message is less than a listening period of the wireless device (802).
21. A wireless device (802) in the wireless system according to any of claims 18-20, at least comprising a wireless transceiver module and a control unit, wherein:
When the wireless device (802) is in the inactive state, the wireless transceiver module and the control unit are adapted to run periodically, and the control unit is adapted to make the wireless device (802) enter the active state when the wireless transceiver module receives the activating message from the externals.
22. A wireless system, comprising:
at least one wireless device according to any of claims 1-4 and a Radio Frequency (RF) signal source; or,
at least one wireless device according to any of claims 9-12 and a magnet.
23. A machine-readable storage medium, adapted to store instructions for enabling a machine to implement the switch control method for a wireless device according to any of claims 5-8 and 13-17.
PCT/CN2011/076439 2011-06-27 2011-06-27 A switch control method for wireless devices, a wireless devices and a wireless system WO2013000110A1 (en)

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