Communication Device Adaptive Status Request Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a challenge in synchronizing the timing of receiving status information from a function executing device with the timing of transmitting this information to a management device, particularly when different communication interfaces are used for the connection.

Innovation Solution

A communication device is configured with two types of communication interfaces to receive a management request, determine an optimal transmission timing based on the period between reception timings of management requests, and transmit status requests to the function executing device, ensuring that status information is received at a timing appropriate for the management device's requests.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the communication device receives status information from the function executing device continuously or at fixed intervals, then the status information availability is improved, but the communication efficiency and timing synchronization with management requests deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatus information availabilityVSAvoidcommunication timing synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the status information request timing adaptive rather than fixed. The communication device dynamically adjusts the request timing based on the actual reception timing of management requests from the management device. This allows the system to maintain reliable status information availability while synchronizing communication timing to avoid unnecessary delays and improve overall communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using the reception timing information of management requests to adjust subsequent status information request timing. The communication device monitors when management requests arrive and uses this feedback to optimize its own request timing, creating a closed-loop system that improves both reliability and timing synchronization simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the communication device uses multiple communication interfaces for different connections, then the communication flexibility and interface specialization are improved, but the complexity of timing coordination between interfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication interface flexibilityVSAvoidtiming coordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the management request reception timing as an intermediary reference point to coordinate timing between different communication interfaces. Instead of trying to directly synchronize multiple interfaces, the system uses the incoming management request timing as a mediator to align status information requests, simplifying the coordination complexity while maintaining interface flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If the communication device transmits status information immediately upon receipt, then the information freshness is improved, but the timing alignment with management requests deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation transmission speedVSAvoidtiming alignment with management requests

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining the request timing in advance based on expected management request patterns. The communication device calculates when status information requests should be sent to the function executing device, positioning these requests strategically so that responses arrive in sync with management requests. This allows the system to maintain information freshness while achieving proper timing alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10810149B2Non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions, communication device, communication method

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A communication device perform operations includes: receiving, from a management device, a first management request which is a request for first status information; receiving, from the management device, a second management request which is a new request for the first status information; determining a transmission timing by using a first period between a reception timing of the first management request and a reception timing of the second management request, the transmission timing being a timing of transmitting to the function executing device a first status request for inquiring about the first status information through the second communication interface; and receiving, from the function executing device, information including the first status information in response to the first status request being transmitted to the function executing device through the second type communication interface in accordance with the determined transmission timing.