Dataflow Control Apparatus for Virtual Sensor Load Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems face challenges in efficiently distributing and managing dataflow from sensors and other devices in IoT environments, particularly between real and virtual sensors, leading to inefficiencies and excessive load on virtual sensors, which limits data utilization and market participation.

Innovation Solution

A dataflow control apparatus that generates and transmits specific commands to manage data exchange between real and virtual devices, allowing for efficient data transmission without the need for virtual sensors to actively collect or store original data, using a system with device-side and app-side metadata matching units to identify suitable devices and instruct dataflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If virtual sensors actively collect and store original data from real sensors, then virtual sensors can provide processed data to applications, but the load on virtual sensors becomes excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata provision capabilityVSAvoidvirtual sensor load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dataflow control apparatus as an intermediary component that manages the data transmission between real sensors and virtual sensors. This mediator generates dataflow control commands to instruct real sensors to transmit original data directly to virtual sensors, eliminating the need for virtual sensors to actively collect and store data themselves, thus reducing their operational load while maintaining reliable data provision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If sensors are installed for specific entity use, then data collection is reliable, but data distributability to third parties is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata collection reliabilityVSAvoiddata distributability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal data distribution mechanism where sensing data collected by sensors for specific entities can be distributed to multiple third-party applications through the dataflow control apparatus. The system matches application-side metadata with sensor-side metadata to enable seamless data sharing across different users and applications, transforming privately-owned sensor data into universally accessible resources while maintaining collection reliability

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

3Ease of operation

If individual entities install their own sensors, then data needs are met, but facility investment overlaps and network congestion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidfacility investment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges sensor resources across different entities into a shared network infrastructure. By implementing a common dataflow control apparatus and metadata matching mechanism, the system enables multiple applications to access data from the same sensor installations, eliminating redundant facility investments and reducing network congestion while ensuring data availability for all users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3385852B1Data flow control apparatus and data flow control method
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 OMRON CORP
  • EP3385852B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3385852B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(B)
  • EP3385852B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(B)

AI summary

A dataflow control apparatus extracts a device capable of providing data that satisfies requirements of an application by matching device-side metadata and app-side metadata. In the case where the extracted device is a virtual device that generates new data on the basis of data that is obtained from one or more original devices and outputs the generated new data as virtual data, the dataflow control apparatus transmits a first dataflow control command instructing transmission of data from the original device to the virtual device, and transmits a second dataflow control command instructing transmission of virtual data from the virtual device to the application.