Patent Application
20210132932
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to the field of LED lighting. More particularly, the embodiments of the invention relate to a smart equipment, a method used by a smart equipment, and a smart lamp.
As the LED lighting technology is developing, LED lighting devices are becoming more and more widely used in people's lives, among which it is a general trend that LED bulbs, LED tubes and LED spot lights will replace the traditional bulbs, tubes and spot lights.
A Bluetooth low energy (BLE) mesh network may be used in smart lighting and smart home systems. The BLE mesh network is a network that allows for many-to-many communication over Bluetooth radio with low power consumption and high efficiency. For example, a BLE mesh network used for smart lighting may comprise a smart lamp and a plurality of smart bulbs. The plurality of smart bulbs need to be Over-the-air (OTA) upgraded. Over-the-air (OTA) upgrading refers to distributing new firmware to devices.
In the existed techniques, the plurality of devices in the mesh network are OTA upgraded one after another, which would be time-consuming
Therefore, it is necessary to propose a smart equipment and a method that may OTA upgrade a plurality of devices in a more time efficient manner.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a smart equipment, a method used by a smart equipment, and a smart lamp.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a smart lamp is provided, comprising: a wireless module for wirelessly downloading an over-the-air file; a microcontroller unit for dividing the over-the-air file into at least one packages; and a Bluetooth Low Energy module for over-the-air upgrading a plurality of devices simultaneously by broadcasting the at least one packages if at least one of the plurality of devices is within one hop range from the smart lamp.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a smart equipment, comprising: a file downloading module for wirelessly downloading a first over-the-air file; and a broadcasting module for over-the-air upgrading a first plurality of devices simultaneously by use of the first over-the-air file.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a method used by a smart equipment, comprising: wirelessly downloading a first over-the-air file; and over-the-air upgrading a first plurality of devices simultaneously by use of the first over-the-air file.
The present disclosure can be better understood in light of description of one embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Unless defined otherwise, the technical or scientific terms used herein should have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. The terms “first”, “second” and the like in the Description and the Claims of the present application for disclosure do not mean any sequential order, number or importance, but are only used for distinguishing different components. Likewise, the terms “a”, “an” and the like do not denote a limitation of quantity, but denote the existence of at least one. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including” and the like mean that the element or object in front of the “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and “including” covers the elements or objects and their equivalents illustrated following the “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and “including”, but do not exclude other elements or objects.
An embodiment is an implementation or example. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “various embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the present disclosure. The various appearances of “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. Elements or aspects from an embodiment can be combined with elements or aspects of another embodiment.
It is to be noted that, although some embodiments have been described in reference to particular implementations, other implementations are possible according to some embodiments. Additionally, the arrangement and/or order of circuit elements or other features illustrated in the drawings and/or described herein need not be arranged in the particular way illustrated and described. Many other arrangements are possible according to some embodiments.
The plurality of devices 104-1, 104-2, . . . , 104-N need to be Over-the-air (OTA) upgraded.
In some embodiments, to facilitate OTA upgrading, at least one device of the plurality of devices 104-1, 104-2, . . . , 104-N is located within one hop range from the smart equipment 102. In some embodiments, all of the plurality of devices 104-1, 104-2, . . . , 104-N may be located within one hop range from the smart equipment 102.
In some embodiments, the smart equipment 102 downloads an OTA file, and OTA upgrades the plurality of devices 104-1, 104-2, . . . , 104-N simultaneously by broadcasting the OTA file, where devices that are located beyond one hop distance to the smart equipment 102, for example device 104-4, may also be upgraded. Broadcasting is a concept that, in a mesh network, when one node is broadcasting a message, each of other nodes can receive the message by means of an implement.
In some embodiments, the plurality of devices 104-1, 104-2, . . . 104-N are of the same type.
In some embodiments, the plurality of devices 104-1, 104-2, . . . 104-N may contain more than one type of devices. In this case, the smart equipment 102 downloads a first OTA file, and OTA upgrades a first type of devices simultaneously by broadcasting the first OTA file. The smart equipment 102 downloads a second OTA file that is different from the first OTA file, and OTA upgrades a second type of devices simultaneously by broadcasting the second OTA file. The second type is different from the first type. In some embodiments, the smart equipment 102 may download a third OTA file and upgrade a third type of devices, and so on.
In some embodiments, the downloading of different OTA files may be performed in parallel with, in overlapping with or separated from each other. In some embodiments, the downloading of the OTA files may be performed one after another.
In some embodiments, the OTA upgrading of different types of devices may be performed in parallel with, in overlapping with or separated from each other. In some embodiments, the OTA upgrading of different types of devices may be performed one after another.
In some embodiments, the mesh network 100 is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh network used for smart lighting, the smart equipment 102 may be a smart lamp, and the plurality of devices 104-1, 104-2, . . . , 104-N may be a plurality of smart bulbs 104-1, 104-2, . . . , 104-N. However, the smart equipment 102 may be of other types than the smart lamp, and the plurality of devices 104-1, 104-2, . . . , 104-N may be of other types than the smart bulbs. For example, the smart equipment 102 may be a smart TV, smart refrigerator, a smart air conditioner, a smart washing machine, a smart cleaner, etc. The plurality of devices may be smart cameras, smart sockets, smart speakers, etc.
While there is only one smart equipment 102 shown in
Compared to the existing OTA upgrading method in a mesh network, embodiments of the present invention may reduce the time required for OTA upgrading a plurality of devices so as to improve efficiency for OTA upgrading. Devices that are located beyond one hop distance from the smart equipment may also be OTA upgraded. For a large mesh network environment, user may have better experience during OTA upgrading. The scope of application of the OTA upgrading technique is increased accordingly.
In some embodiments, to facilitate OTA upgrading, at least one device of the plurality of devices is located within one hop range from the smart equipment 200. In some embodiments, all of the plurality of devices may be located within one hop range from the smart equipment 200.
In some embodiments, at least one device of the plurality of devices is located beyond one hop range from the smart equipment 200. During OTA upgrading, all the plurality of devices may be simultaneously upgraded.
In some embodiments, the WiFi module 202 wirelessly downloads the OTA file upon receiving an instruction from a user terminal. As an example, a user terminal may be a mobile phone. An APP in the mobile phone may be used to interact with the smart equipment 200. The instruction may be sent by a user using the APP.
In some embodiments, the WiFi module 202 wirelessly downloads the OTA file at a timing or time period predetermined by a user terminal. As an example, a user may use an APP in a mobile phone to interact with the smart equipment 200, and set a timing or a time period in the APP that is used by smart equipment 200 to download the OTA file. As an example, the timing may be 10 AM every Monday, 12 PM on the first day of every month, etc. As another example, the time period may be 8 AM to 9 AM every Saturday, 1 PM to 3 PM on the 15th day of every month, every two days, etc.
In some embodiments, the WiFi module 202 wirelessly downloads the OTA file upon determining the OTA file is available for downloading. As an example, the smart equipment 200 may periodically check the availability of the OTA file. As another example, the smart equipment 200 may check the availability of the OTA file in a real-time manner.
Upon the downloading of the OTA file is completed, The Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module 204 is notified by the WiFi module 202 to OTA upgrade a plurality of devices in a mesh network simultaneously by broadcasting the OTA file.
In some embodiments, the plurality of devices may contain more than one type of devices. In this case, the WiFi module 202 downloads a first OTA file, and the BLE module 204 upgrades a first type of devices simultaneously by broadcasting the first OTA file. The WiFi module 202 also downloads a second OTA file that is different from the first OTA file, and the BLE module 204 OTA upgrades a second type of devices simultaneously by broadcasting the second OTA file. The second type is different from the first type. In some embodiments, the WiFi module 202 may download a third OTA file, and the BLE module 204 upgrade a third type of devices, and so on. The third type is different from the first type or the second type.
In some embodiments, the downloading of different OTA files may be performed in parallel with, in overlapping with, or separated from each other. In some embodiments, the downloading of OTA files may be performed one after another.
In some embodiments, the OTA upgrading of different types of devices may be performed in parallel with, in overlapping with or separated from each other. In some embodiments, the OTA upgrading of different types of devices may be performed one after another.
In some embodiments, to facilitate OTA upgrading, at least one device of the plurality of devices is located within one hop range from the smart equipment 300. In some embodiments, all of the plurality of devices may be located within one hop range from the smart equipment 300.
In some embodiments, at least one device of the plurality of devices is located beyond one hop range from the smart equipment 300. During OTA upgrading, all the plurality of devices may be simultaneously upgraded.
In some embodiments, to facilitate OTA upgrading, at least one device of the plurality of devices is located within one hop range from the smart equipment 400. In some embodiments, all of the plurality of devices may be located within one hop range from the smart equipment 400.
In some embodiments, at least one device of the plurality of devices is located beyond one hop range from the smart equipment 400. During OTA upgrading, all the plurality of devices may be simultaneously upgraded.
In some embodiments, while not shown in any of the figures, the microcontroller unit may be contained in the smart equipment, but separated from either of the WiFi module or the BLE module. The microcontroller unit is used to divide the received OTA file into at least one packages for broadcasting.
In some embodiments, to facilitate OTA upgrading, at least one device of the plurality of devices is located within one hop range from the smart equipment. In some embodiments, all of the plurality of devices may be located within one hop range from the smart equipment.
In some embodiments, at least one device of the plurality of devices is located beyond one hop range from the smart equipment. During OTA upgrading, all the plurality of devices may be simultaneously upgraded.
In some embodiments, Step 502 is performed upon receiving an instruction from a user terminal. As an example, the instruction may be sent by a user using an APP in a mobile phone, where the APP may be used to interact with the smart equipment.
In some embodiments, Step 502 is performed at a timing or time period predetermined by a user terminal. As an example, a user may use an APP in a mobile phone to interact with the smart equipment, and set a timing or a time period in the APP that is used by smart equipment to download the OTA file. As an example, the timing may be 10 AM every Monday, 12 PM on the first day of every month, etc. As another example, the time period may be 8 AM to 9 AM every Saturday, 1 PM to 3 PM on the 15th day of every month, every two days, etc.
In some embodiments, Step 502 is performed upon determining the OTA file is available for downloading. As an example, the smart equipment may periodically check the availability of the OTA file. As another example, the smart equipment may check the availability of the OTA file in a real-time manner.
In some embodiments, the plurality of devices may contain more than one type of devices. In this case, the smart equipment downloads a first OTA file, and upgrades a first type of devices simultaneously by broadcasting the first OTA file. The smart equipment also downloads a second OTA file that is different from the first OTA file, and OTA upgrades a second type of devices simultaneously by broadcasting the second OTA file. The second type is different from the first type.
In some embodiments, the smart equipment may download a third OTA file and upgrade a third type of devices, and so on. The third type is different from the first type or the second type.
In some embodiments, the downloading of different OTA files may be performed in parallel with, in overlapping with, or separated from each other. In some embodiments, the downloading of OTA files may be performed one after another.
In some embodiments, the OTA upgrading of different types of devices may be performed in parallel with, in overlapping with or separated from each other. In some embodiments, the OTA upgrading of different types of devices may be performed one after another.
In some embodiments, there may be more than one smart equipments in the mesh network.
In some embodiments, the mesh network is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh network used for smart lighting. The smart equipment may be a smart lamp, and the plurality of devices may be a plurality of smart bulbs. However, the smart equipment may be of other types than the smart lamp, and the plurality of devices may be of other types than the smart bulbs. For example, the smart equipment 102 may be a smart TV, smart refrigerator, a smart air conditioner, a smart washing machine, a smart cleaner, etc. The plurality of devices may be smart cameras, smart sockets, smart speakers, etc.
In some embodiments, upon broadcasting a package to a plurality of devices, each device will provide a feedback information indicating whether the package has been received by the device. For example, the device may provide an ACK signal to the smart equipment upon receiving the package. If no ACK signal is received from a particular device during a predetermined period, the smart equipment may determine the package is not successfully received by the particular device and rebroadcast the package again until receiving ACK signals from all devices. As another example, the device may provide an NACK signal to the smart equipment when the package is not received. When the smart equipment receives at least one NACK signal, the smart equipment rebroadcast the package again until no NACK signal is received for the package. Then the flow moves on to broadcast a next package. The flow repeats until all of the at least one packages have been received by all of the plurality of devices.
In some embodiments, upon broadcasting a package to a plurality of devices, each device will provide a feedback information whether the package is received or not. For example, the device may provide an ACK signal to the smart equipment upon receiving the package and provide an NACK signal to the smart equipment when the package is not received. Similarly, when the smart equipment receives at least one NACK signal, the smart equipment rebroadcast the package again until no NACK signal is received for the package. Then the flow moves on to broadcast a next package. The flow repeats until all of the at least one packages have been received by all of the plurality of devices. Other methods may also be contemplated and covered by the present disclosure.
More particularly, there are N devices, and the over-the-air file is divided into M packages. First, the first package is broadcast. Then, the next package is broadcast until all the M packages have been broadcast. Assuming package 1 is not received by Device 1, package 2 is not received by Device 3, and package 5 is not received by Device N, then in Step 708, package 1, package 2, and package 5 are rebroadcast to all the devices 1-N. The broadcast ends only when all the M packages have been received by all the N devices.
In some embodiments, upon broadcasting a package to a plurality of devices, each device will provide a feedback information indicating whether the package has been received by the device. For example, the device may provide an ACK signal to the smart equipment upon receiving the package, or provide an NACK signal when the package is not received.
In some embodiments, upon broadcasting a package to a plurality of devices, each device will provide a feedback information whether the package is received or not. For example, the device may provide an NACK signal to the smart equipment when the package is not received, and provide any ACK signal if the package is received.
Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, configurations, modules, circuits, and steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, configurations, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.
It is to be understood that specifics in the aforementioned examples may be used anywhere in one or more embodiments. For instance, all optional features of the electronic device described above may also be implemented with respect to either of the methods or the computer-readable medium described herein. Furthermore, although flow diagrams and/or state diagrams may have been used herein to describe embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to those diagrams or to corresponding descriptions herein. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described herein.
Although for the descriptions of
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN2017/097508 | 8/15/2017 | WO | 00 |
