Computing Device Resource Exposure for Sleeping IoT Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital Twins for IoT devices face challenges in accurately reflecting the real-time state of sleeping devices due to long sleep periods and communication delays, leading to inefficiencies in actuator commands and inaccurate simulations.

Innovation Solution

IoT devices publish extended information about their physical processes through annotations and metadata, allowing Digital Twins to synchronize with their current state by exposing resource states and their impact on the physical world, including delays and sleep cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If IoT devices sleep for extended periods to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but synchronization accuracy between physical device and digital twin deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidsynchronization accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the IoT device publish transition period information and sleep cycle annotations in advance before actually entering sleep mode. This allows the digital twin to proactively adjust its synchronization strategy and prepare for upcoming state changes, rather than reacting to delays after they occur. The device announces its sleep schedule and transition characteristics beforehand, enabling the digital twin to anticipate and compensate for synchronization gaps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the IoT device provides continuous annotations about its operational state, including sleep cycle patterns and transition period durations. This feedback loop allows the digital twin to continuously update its model of the physical device's behavior, adjusting its synchronization approach based on actual observed patterns rather than relying on static assumptions. The feedback enables dynamic adaptation to maintain accuracy despite varying sleep schedules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If digital twin updates are delayed to match device sleep cycles, then energy consumption is reduced, but simulation accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidsimulation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the digital twin's update strategy adaptive rather than static. The digital twin dynamically adjusts its synchronization frequency and timing based on real-time information about the device's sleep cycles and transition periods. During active periods, updates occur frequently to maintain high simulation accuracy. During sleep periods, updates are reduced or suspended to conserve energy. The system continuously adapts its behavior based on the device's current state and announced schedule.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the digital twin's operational parameters (update frequency, synchronization timing) based on the device's sleep cycle characteristics. The system changes key parameters such as the update interval and synchronization window to match the device's operational patterns. This allows the digital twin to operate efficiently during sleep periods while maintaining accuracy during active periods, effectively changing its behavior parameters dynamically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive device information is published continuously, then digital twin synchronization accuracy is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by selectively publishing only the most critical information about the device's operational state and sleep cycles. Rather than continuously transmitting all possible device parameters, the system extracts and publishes only essential annotations such as sleep cycle patterns, transition period durations, and key state changes. This selective extraction maintains synchronization accuracy by providing necessary information while minimizing unnecessary network traffic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action by having the device publish information at specific intervals or at key transition points rather than continuously. The device announces its sleep cycle schedule periodically and provides updates at meaningful transition moments (e.g., when waking from sleep, when entering sleep mode). This periodic publication strategy ensures the digital twin receives necessary synchronization information while avoiding continuous bandwidth consumption during stable states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4189555B1Computing device, network node, and methods thereof
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4189555B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4189555B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4189555B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computing device is disclosed. The computing device comprises processing circuitry that is configured to expose (110) a resource that is hosted at the computing device, wherein the resource comprises a digital interface for a physical entity to which the resource corresponds, and expose (120) information about a relation between a state of the resource and a state of the physical entity to which the resource corresponds. Also disclosed is a network node, the network node comprising processing circuitry that is configured to discover a resource that is hosted at the computing device, and to discover information about a relation between a state of the resource and a state of the physical entity to which the resource corresponds. The processing circuitry is further configured to prepare an action relating to the physical entity corresponding to the resource on the basis of a current state of the resource and the information, and to initiate execution of the prepared action.