Communication Module Handling External Devices via Dialogue Session

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current short message communication methods in network environments, particularly in mobile radio communication, face challenges in providing real-time and conclusive feedback on whether commands sent to external devices have been received and executed, leading to ambiguous command execution statuses.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize existing structures and resources to transmit information about the status of commands sent to external devices through a communication module and message service server, allowing for bidirectional communication within a single dialogue session, enabling immediate and conclusive feedback on command execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate communications or dialogue sessions are used for transmitting short messages and answer messages, then the transmission can be carried out using existing SMS infrastructure, but the feedback on command execution is not real-time and remains ambiguous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback reliabilityVSAvoidfeedback time delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transmission of command messages and answer messages into a single dialogue session. The answer message is integrated into the same session as the command message, allowing the central handling unit to receive execution status feedback within the same communication context, thereby eliminating time delays and ambiguity associated with separate sessions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the answer message contains explicit execution status information about the command. The external device generates an answer message that includes whether the command was successfully executed, providing reliable real-time feedback to the central handling unit within the same dialogue session

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If GPRS communication is used to establish communication from the network side, then bidirectional communication is possible, but higher demands on radio coverage are required and coverage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebidirectional communication capabilityVSAvoidradio coverage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a communication module as an intermediary component at the external device that handles bidirectional communication. This module receives command messages, manages the dialogue session, and sends answer messages back, enabling bidirectional communication functionality while allowing the use of SMS-based transport which has better radio coverage characteristics than GPRS

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If delivery reports are transmitted in separate dialogue sessions, then the SMS infrastructure can be utilized, but the feedback is time-shifted and not real-time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery confirmationVSAvoidfeedback timing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by establishing a dialogue session that is designed to carry both the command message and the answer message. The session is set up in advance with the understanding that it will be used for bidirectional communication, allowing the answer message to be transmitted within the same session rather than requiring a separate delivery report session

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2642776B1Method, Communication Module, Message Service Server and System for handling of an external device
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 VODAFON LIBERTEL BV
  • EP2642776B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2642776B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2642776B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a Method for handling at least one external device (13) in an environment (U), wherein the environment (U) comprises at least one central handling unit (10) and at least one communication module (12), wherein at least one external device (13) is assigned to the at least one communication module (12), and wherein a dialogue session (D) is established between the at least one central handling unit (10) and at least one of the further components of the environment (U). The method is characterized in that, in the dialogue session (D) at least one request message (50, 51) relating to the handling of the external device (13) is transmitted, during the existence of the dialogue session (D) a response message (56, 57) relating to the request message (50, 51) is generated, wherein the response message (50, 51) comprises handling information (55), relating to the handling of the external device (13), and the response message (56, 57) is a confirmation message on the receipt of the request message (50, 51) at a component of the environment (U) and the response message (56, 57) is transferred back within the same dialogue session (D). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a communication module (12), a message service server (11) as well as to a system (1).