Cloud Gateway for Multicast Control Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Networks in the cloud do not support one-to-many communication methods such as multicast and broadcast, making it difficult to use control communication protocols in virtual environments.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that generates control communication information using paths different from the network's communication path, enabling multicast and broadcast functionality by aggregating information through a virtualization interface and converting communication methods as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If control communication protocols using multicast or broadcast are used in cloud networks, then one-to-many communication capability is improved, but network compatibility deteriorates because cloud networks do not support these communication methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveone-to-many communication capabilityVSAvoidnetwork compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary device between the cloud network and control communication devices. The gateway performs protocol conversion, translating multicast/broadcast control communication protocols into unicast protocols that are compatible with cloud networks. This mediator resolves the incompatibility by adapting the communication method to suit the cloud network's capabilities while maintaining the functionality of control communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the communication parameter from multicast/broadcast to unicast when transmitting data through the cloud network. The gateway converts the communication mode by altering the destination address format and transmission method, enabling control communication functionality to work within the constraints of cloud network protocols that only support unicast communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If actual multicast and broadcast transmission is implemented on cloud networks, then control communication functionality is improved, but network load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol communication functionalityVSAvoidnetwork load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of implementing actual multicast/broadcast transmission which would duplicate data packets across multiple network paths, the patent uses a gateway to copy the communication function at the application layer. The gateway receives a single unicast packet, processes it according to control communication protocol requirements, and selectively forwards copies to multiple destinations using unicast. This approach achieves the functional effect of multicast/broadcast while maintaining efficient network resource usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Object-affected harmful factors

If control communication protocols are adapted to cloud networks using unicast conversion, then network compatibility is improved, but communication complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork compatibilityVSAvoidcommunication protocol conversion complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple protocol conversion functions into a single integrated gateway device. The gateway consolidates the tasks of receiving control communication packets, identifying protocol types, performing unicast conversion, and managing multiple communication paths into one unified system. This merging approach manages the inherent complexity by providing a centralized location for all protocol adaptation operations, making the system easier to maintain and manage despite the complexity of the conversion processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4254884B1Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP4254884B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4254884B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4254884B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A first information processing apparatus (10) according to the present disclosure includes a control communication unit configured to transmit and receive control communication information according to a control communication protocol, and an adaptor configured to generate first control communication information of a first communication method for one-to-many communication from among the control communication information required for control communication based on the control communication protocol, the adaptor generating the first control communication information with use of information acquired along a path different from a communication path of the control communication on a network in a cloud, and to output the first control communication information to the control communication unit.