Cloud-Based Processing for Resource-Limited Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumer and industrial electronic devices often have resource-limited processors that restrict their functionality and user interfaces, making them less intuitive and efficient due to cost constraints, limiting their ability to provide advanced features like smart phone or computer processing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

Shifting processing functions to cloud-based systems through external communications, using a framework and protocol for bi-directional communication between resource-limited devices and cloud-based systems, enabling devices to connect via various communication networks and protocols, and utilizing a configuration application to facilitate connectivity and data exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If resource-limited processors are used in electronic devices, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but user interface robustness and intuitiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoiduser interface robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cloud-based system as an intermediary that handles complex processing tasks, allowing resource-limited devices to access advanced user interfaces and processing capabilities remotely. The cloud system acts as a mediator between the limited device resources and the user's need for robust functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves processing capabilities from the device dimension to the cloud dimension, enabling resource-limited devices to leverage powerful remote processing resources. This dimensional shift allows the device to maintain simplicity while accessing complex functionalities through network connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If processing capabilities are enhanced in electronic devices, then user interface robustness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface robustnessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cloud-based system serves as an intermediary that provides advanced processing capabilities to resource-limited devices without requiring expensive hardware upgrades in the devices themselves. This allows manufacturers to maintain cost-effective device designs while delivering robust user experiences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical processing power in the device with remote cloud-based processing resources. Instead of embedding expensive processors in each device, the system substitutes mechanical/computational resources with network-accessible computing power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If device features are consolidated to simplify user interface, then ease of operation is improved, but device functionality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface simplicityVSAvoiddevice functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by moving advanced functionality to the cloud dimension while keeping the device interface simple. The device maintains a streamlined interface for basic operations, while sophisticated features are accessed through cloud-based services and applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The cloud-based system provides universal access to diverse functionalities and applications, allowing a single resource-limited device to perform multiple functions by leveraging remote processing resources and services rather than requiring dedicated hardware for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10284422B2Resource-limited device interactivity with cloud-based systems

Publication Date: 2019.05.07 ABL IP HLDG LLC

AI summary

Resource limited devices may be provided with a communications module enabling the resource limited device to communicate with a more powerful user computing system using a personal area networking protocol. The communications with the user computing system may be used to configure the resource limited device and/or its communications module to communicate with a remote computing system using a local or wide area networking protocol. This technology may shift processing functions that cannot be performed by resource-limited processors of the electronic device to more powerful computing systems, including, but not limited to cloud based systems. Bridges may also coordinate communications between multiple resource limited devices and the more powerful computing systems. Shifting these processing functions to more powerful computing systems may avoid the need for device manufacturers to include more expensive processors and may reduce device manufacturing costs. Devices and methods are provided.