Context Router for Flexible Network Entity Association
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The association of networked devices with applications and controlling functions can be inflexible, especially when devices are hardwired or dedicated to a single resource, leading to reduced availability if the resource goes offline.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allows for flexible association of network devices with multiple resources through a context router, enabling devices to register with the router and access various applications independently, with communication facilitated by emitters, receivers, context rules, definitions, and services, allowing for decoupling and independent operation of devices and applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a device is hardwired into a single interface or dedicated to a single application, then the association is stable and reliable, but the flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the association between devices and applications by introducing a context router that mediates between devices and multiple applications. Instead of direct hardwired connections, the context router creates separate, independent association paths, allowing devices to be dynamically associated with different applications without affecting other connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The context router serves as an intermediary component between devices and applications. It receives associations from devices and routes them to appropriate applications, enabling flexible many-to-many relationships while maintaining stable individual connections. The intermediary decouples direct device-application bindings, allowing independent modification of either side.
2Device complexity
If a device is dedicated to a single application, then the association is simple and direct, but the availability continues to be downgraded if the resource is off-line
Solution Approach 1:
The context router provides universal functionality by serving as a common association point for multiple devices and applications. Instead of dedicated one-to-one connections, the router enables devices to maintain associations with multiple applications simultaneously, ensuring continued availability even if one application is offline, as devices can route through the router to alternative applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If devices are networked to access multiple resources, then flexibility and availability are improved, but the device complexity and association management become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The context router acts as an intermediary that centralizes association management complexity. Individual devices maintain simple connections to the router, while the router handles the complex routing and association logic between devices and multiple applications. This shifts the complexity from the device level to the router level, keeping devices simple while enabling flexible multi-resource access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces direct mechanical-style hardwired connections with a software-based association mechanism through the context router. Instead of physical dedicated links, the router uses software-defined associations that can be dynamically created, modified, and routed, simplifying device architecture while enabling flexible resource access.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for associating network entities, such as devices and services have been disclosed. By utilizing context operational modifiers, such as context rules, context definitions, and context services, entities may be associated.