Connectivity Regulation Module for IoT Network Saturation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies fail to streamline Internet access for connected objects, leading to irregular or limited performance and saturation, especially due to the proliferation of connected devices with diverse connectivity needs and varying quality connections.

Innovation Solution

A method and module for regulating connectivity by collecting and analyzing data to identify availability periods and optimizing connections through connection gateways, allowing for planned and efficient Internet access, reducing resource consumption, and ensuring quality connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple connected objects access the Internet simultaneously through multiple connection gateways, then connectivity coverage and accessibility are improved, but network saturation and performance instability occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnectivity coverageVSAvoidperformance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a scheduling mechanism that pre-allocates time slots for different connected objects to access the Internet through specific connection gateways. The fluidification module analyzes connectivity patterns and proactively assigns access periods before saturation occurs, preventing network congestion while maintaining broad connectivity coverage across multiple objects and gateways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If Internet access is allowed for all connected objects without regulation, then accessibility and ease of use are improved, but resource consumption and network saturation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic time-slot allocation where connected objects are granted Internet access in scheduled intervals rather than continuous unrestricted access. The fluidification module divides network access into discrete time periods, allowing multiple objects to share bandwidth efficiently while maintaining ease of access within their allocated slots, thus reducing overall energy consumption and preventing saturation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If connectivity is regulated through complex orchestration mechanisms, then performance optimization and resource management are improved, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance optimizationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a fluidification module as an intermediary component that simplifies connectivity regulation. This module sits between the connected objects and the network infrastructure, handling the complex scheduling and resource allocation logic in a centralized manner. By concentrating the orchestration function in a single manageable component, the system achieves performance optimization without distributing complex control logic across multiple elements, thus reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3817294B1Method and module for a connectivity regulation of connected objects.
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 BULL SA
  • EP3817294B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3817294B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3817294B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for regulating connectivity (100) for a plurality of connected objects, said connected objects belonging to subnets (11, 12, 13) connected to a main network (10) via connection gateways (GW1, GW2, GW3), said method being implemented by a flow control module (200), said method (100) comprising: - A step of collecting connection data (120) from the plurality of connected objects (IoT1, loT3); - A step of analyzing the collected connection data so as to identify several periods of availability, each of the periods of availability corresponding to a time interval during which one or more connected objects may access the main network;- A step of receiving (160) at least one connection request message (Q1) from a connected object (IoT1, loT2, loT3) to the main network, said connection request message containing data on the characteristics of the required connection; and - A step of regulating (180) the connection of the plurality of connected objects to the main network (10) according to the periods of availability and the data on the characteristics of the required connection;