Cloud Device Control via Agnostic Pipe Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device control systems require embedded intelligence in target devices, leading to increased complexity and cost, as well as the need for multiple control protocols, making them less versatile and more expensive to manufacture and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A service system hosts logic to control target devices via device-agnostic pipe mechanisms, allowing target devices to be 'dumb' and reducing the need for local intelligence, with pipe mechanisms interacting with the service system through secure protocols like TLS, and being provided to manufacturers and users for easy integration and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If embedded processing modules are added to target devices to provide local intelligence, then device functionality and intelligence are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the intelligence and control logic from individual target devices and consolidates it into a centralized cloud-based service system. Target devices are transformed into simple 'dumb' devices that only perform basic functions, while all sophisticated control, processing, and decision-making capabilities are moved to the cloud platform, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The service system creates a universal control platform that can manage multiple types of target devices through standardized pipe mechanisms. Instead of each device needing its own specialized intelligence, a single multi-functional service system provides control capabilities for diverse devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control protocols are implemented in target devices to support different device types, then device compatibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pipe mechanisms as intermediary components that translate between standardized service system protocols and device-specific communication requirements. These pipe mechanisms act as adapters that enable a single control protocol at the service system level to communicate with multiple different device types, thereby achieving device compatibility without requiring the service system to implement multiple protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts protocol translation and adaptation functionality from the service system and places it into separate pipe mechanism components. This allows the service system to maintain a single standardized protocol while still supporting diverse devices through external translation layers, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
3Reliability
If secure communication protocols like TLS are implemented in pipe mechanisms, then communication security is improved, but processing overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the security implementation into dedicated pipe mechanism components that handle TLS and other security protocols separately from the main service system logic. This modular approach concentrates security functionality in specific components, making the overall system more manageable and reducing the complexity burden on the service system while maintaining strong security
Data Source
AI summary
An environment is described in which a cloud-implemented service system controls a plurality of target devices via a plurality of respective device-agnostic pipe mechanisms. The target devices themselves may represent “dumb” devices, e.g., lacking local control logic, or providing reduced reliance on local control logic. Users may interact with the service system via applications running on any type of user devices.