Data-Flow Control Device for Managing Sensor Pairing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In device networks, such as sensor networks, there is a challenge in controlling the number of combined data providers and users, leading to potential overloading and excessive costs due to unmanaged pairing of devices and applications.

Innovation Solution

A data-flow control device that acquires and matches device-side and application-side metadata, including permission information, to control whether a single or multiple pairs are formed, ensuring that the number of combinations does not exceed the processing capacity of devices or incur unnecessary costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sensor is installed to collect data required by an owner, then the owner can obtain necessary sensing data, but the sensing data has low distributability and is limited to analysis and use by the sensor owner himself

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availability for ownerVSAvoiddata distributability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling sensing data to serve multiple functions and users simultaneously. The sensor data is made available not only to the owner but also to third parties through a controlled distribution mechanism, allowing the same data resource to fulfill multiple purposes and benefit different stakeholders.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the data distribution control system) that mediates between the sensor owner and third-party users. This intermediary enables controlled sharing by managing permission information and coordinating data flow, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining owner control and enabling broad data distributability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple applications are paired with a single sensor to maximize data utilization, then more data users can access the sensing data, but the sensor may become overloaded and processing capacity may be exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata utilization efficiencyVSAvoidsensor processing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the sensor's processing capacity and the number of paired applications. The system uses permission information to regulate data flow, dynamically adjusting which applications can access the sensor data based on current load conditions, thus preventing overload while maximizing utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the data pairing relationship flexible and adjustable rather than fixed. The system can dynamically add or remove application pairings based on sensor capacity and demand conditions, allowing the configuration to adapt to changing operational requirements without compromising sensor reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a sensor owner permits multiple third parties to use the sensing data, then more value can be generated from the data, but unnecessary costs may be incurred and the sensor may be overloaded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata usage flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of combined parties
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing and manipulating permission information as a controllable parameter. This parameter tracks and limits the number of third parties that can access the sensing data, allowing the system to optimize between data usage flexibility and cost/control requirements by adjusting the permission parameter according to specific needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If metadata matching is performed without permission information control, then applications can be freely paired with sensors, but the number of combined parties cannot be properly controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepairing simplicityVSAvoidcombination control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining and storing permission information in the metadata before the actual data pairing occurs. This advance preparation of control parameters allows the system to maintain simple pairing operations while automatically enforcing complexity constraints through the pre-configured permission information, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and control complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3432145B1Data-flow control device and data-flow control method
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 OMRON CORP
  • EP3432145B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3432145B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(B)
  • EP3432145B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This data-flow control device has: a device-side metadata acquisition means that acquires device-side metadata for multiple devices; an application-side metadata acquisition means that acquires application-side metadata for an application that uses data provided by a device; a storage means that stores both types of metadata; a matching means that matches both types of metadata and extracts a combination; and a data-flow control means that, on the basis of the extracted combination, generates a data-flow control command specifying a device and an application. Each type of metadata includes permission information indicating whether to permit a combination with multiple pieces of other party metadata. On the basis of the permission information, the matching means decides whether to generate a combination with a single piece of other party metadata, or to generate a combination with multiple pieces of other party metadata.