Communication Control Device Redundancy via Wired Wireless Merging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional communication networks struggle to easily realize redundancy due to the need for multiple physical communication ports, which is challenging especially when node size is reduced.

Innovation Solution

A communication control device equipped with a first wired communication unit, a second wired communication unit connected to a node, a wireless communication unit, and identification and communication control units that establish communication with another device via a wireless network when connected via a wired network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If each node is connected to a plurality of paths in a wired manner to achieve redundancy, then communication reliability is improved, but the number of communication ports required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of communication ports
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines wired and wireless communication interfaces into a unified communication control device. The wired communication unit provides stable primary communication, while the wireless communication unit provides backup redundancy, merging both communication modes into one device to achieve reliability without requiring multiple wired ports

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication control device is designed with multi-functionality, supporting both wired and wireless communication capabilities within a single device. This allows the device to adapt to different communication scenarios and provide redundancy without requiring separate dedicated ports for each communication mode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple communication ports are provided to enable redundant network configuration, then network redundancy is achieved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork redundancyVSAvoidnode size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple communication functions (wired and wireless interfaces) into a single integrated communication control device. This consolidation achieves network redundancy through functional diversity rather than physical port multiplication, thereby maintaining compact node size while providing backup communication paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If wireless communication is used to reduce the number of communication ports, then ease of installation is improved, but communication stability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidcommunication stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication control device dynamically selects between wired and wireless communication modes based on operational conditions. The wired interface serves as the primary stable connection, while the wireless interface provides dynamic backup capability, allowing the system to adapt to different scenarios and maintain stability while benefiting from the installation ease of wireless communication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4542936A1Communications redundancy between network nodes
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP4542936A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4542936A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4542936A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication control device 51 according to an embodiment includes a first wired communication unit (511), a second wired communication unit (512), a wireless communication unit (513), a identifying unit (5151), and a communication control unit (5152). The first wired communication unit (511) has a wired communication function. The second wired communication unit (512) has a wired communication function, and is connected to the IO node 21. The wireless communication unit (513) has a wireless communication function. The identifying unit (5151) is connected to the first wired communication unit (511) via a wired network to identify another communication control device that satisfies a condition. The communication control unit (5152) establishes communication with another communication control device via a wireless network.