Contextual Addressing Scheme for Heterogeneous Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional addressing schemes in communications systems are inefficient as they rely solely on physical or logical location, are static, and do not adapt to dynamic changes in the operating environment, limiting the system's responsiveness and complexity of actions.
Innovation Solution
The Contextual Addressing Scheme (CAS) assigns Contextual Attributes and Values to network elements, allowing them to create dynamic identities based on contextual variables, enabling effective interactions with the operating environment by broadcasting messages that are processed only by relevant endpoints, which determine their relevance and process payloads accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional addressing schemes using fixed physical or logical location are used, then network elements can be addressed with simple static addresses, but the system cannot adapt to dynamic changes in the operating environment and loses responsiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic addressing by allowing network elements to assume multiple contextual addresses based on their current state and role in different contexts. Instead of a fixed address, each element can have different addresses for different contexts (e.g., as a client, server, router, or endpoint), enabling the system to adapt to changing operating conditions while maintaining addressing flexibility through contextual variables rather than complex static configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for addressing from fixed physical/logical location to dynamic contextual attributes. By using contextual variables (such as role, state, and functional characteristics) instead of static location-based identifiers, the system can adapt to environmental changes by modifying address parameters in response to contextual shifts, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity
2Productivity
If static addressing schemes are used, then addressing is simple and straightforward, but the communications system becomes frozen and unresponsive to environmental changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service addressing where network elements automatically determine and assume appropriate contextual addresses based on their current state and the context of communication. Instead of requiring external intervention to update addresses when the environment changes, elements autonomously evaluate contextual variables and select appropriate addresses, eliminating address update delays while maintaining high responsiveness to environmental changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares network elements with multiple pre-configured contextual addresses corresponding to different possible states and roles. Before environmental changes occur, elements have their potential addresses ready, allowing immediate assumption of appropriate addresses when contextual shifts happen, thus achieving rapid responsiveness without the time loss associated with dynamic address allocation
3Productivity
If contextual addressing with multiple variables is implemented, then the communications network becomes richer and more efficient for complex actions, but the addressing scheme becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the addressing function into multiple independent contextual variables (such as role, state, and functional characteristics) rather than using a single complex address. Each variable can be independently evaluated and combined to form contextual addresses, allowing the system to achieve rich addressing capabilities for efficient complex actions while managing complexity through modular, separable variables that can be processed independently
Data Source
AI summary
A communications system for a network of stations, is provided where stations identify themselves upon being informed of the desires of an inquisitor station. Additionally, techniques for “plug and play”, self-healing and homogenizing the heterogeneous parts of a network, are provided.