Context Information Management Server for IoT Device Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconvenience when switching between IoT devices, as context information is not efficiently linked, requiring users to restart interactions from scratch, which hampers user-friendliness and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that detects user behavior and links context information between IoT devices, allowing seamless continuation of interactions by acquiring and transferring context data between devices based on user movement and sensor data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If context information is not linked between IoT devices, then each device operates independently, but user-friendliness deteriorates as users must restart interactions when switching devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser-friendlinessVSAvoidcontext information continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a context information management server as an intermediary that collects, stores, and distributes context information between multiple IoT devices. When a user switches devices, the new device queries the server for relevant context information, enabling seamless continuation of interactions without direct device-to-device communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively transferring context information to devices that are likely to be used next. The context information management server monitors user behavior patterns and pre-loads context data to the anticipated target device, so that when the user switches, the context is already available without requiring real-time requests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If context information is transferred between all IoT devices, then continuity is improved, but system complexity and communication overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontext information continuityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the context information management function from the IoT devices themselves, placing it in a dedicated context information management server. This centralizes the complexity of tracking, storing, and distributing context information, while individual devices maintain simpler local contexts and only communicate with the server when needed, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The context information management server acts as an intermediary that handles all context information transfer operations between devices. Instead of implementing complex peer-to-peer context sharing protocols between all device pairs, the server mediates all context exchanges, simplifying the communication architecture and reducing the computational burden on individual IoT devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If context information is stored locally on each device, then access speed is improved, but information sharing between devices becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontext access speedVSAvoidinformation sharing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The context information management server serves as a centralized intermediary that maintains copies of context information from multiple devices. When a device needs context data, it quickly queries the server which provides immediate access. The server's centralized storage enables any device to access any other device's context information without requiring direct device-to-device connections, thus maintaining fast access while enabling universal sharing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the context information storage capabilities of multiple distributed devices into a single centralized repository on the context information management server. This consolidation allows all devices to access a unified context database, combining the advantages of local fast access (through server queries) with global information availability (through centralized storage), enabling seamless context sharing across the entire IoT ecosystem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3214555B1Information processing device, information processing method, and computer program for context sharing
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3214555B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3214555B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3214555B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Object] To provide an information processing apparatus which can dramatically improve user-friendliness by detecting behavior of a user and linking data with each other in advance between equipment to be operated by the user. [Solution] Provided is the information processing apparatus including a control unit configured to perform control to detect leaving of a user from the information processing apparatus and transmit at least part of context information exchanged with the user until then to another apparatus. According to the information processing apparatus, it is possible to dramatically improve user-friendliness through acquisition of context information.