Networked Device Control Failover for Client Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In device control systems, when a client terminal attempts to use a device that has failed, it experiences a high load due to errors returned from the device control apparatus, leading to increased equipment costs and inefficiencies as it designates alternative devices, causing a significant burden on the client terminal.
Innovation Solution
A device control apparatus with a communication interface, device interface, detection unit, transfer circuit, and second controller is implemented, which detects device failures and transfers use requests to another device control apparatus via the network, allowing the second controller to operate the device, thereby reducing the load on the client terminal and ensuring continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the client terminal designates another device control apparatus when a device fails, then the device can continue to be used, but the load on the client terminal increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the device control apparatus automatically detects device failures and transfers use requests to standby device control apparatuses. This intermediary function prevents the client terminal from directly handling failure detection and apparatus designation, thereby reducing the client terminal's load while maintaining device availability through automatic failover.
2Reliability
If the client terminal handles device failure and designates alternative devices, then device usage can continue, but equipment costs increase due to the complexity of error handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the device control apparatus autonomously detects device failures, identifies standby apparatuses, and transfers use requests without requiring client terminal intervention. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system by eliminating complex error handling logic from the client terminal, while maintaining continuous operation through automatic failover to standby apparatuses.
3Reliability
If the device control apparatus returns errors to the client terminal, then the client terminal can attempt to use another device, but this creates a significant burden on the client terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring standby device control apparatuses and establishing automatic failure detection and request transfer mechanisms before failures occur. When a device fails, the system immediately activates the pre-established failover mechanism, eliminating the time-consuming process of error handling and apparatus designation that would otherwise burden the client terminal.
Data Source
AI summary
To reduce a load on a client terminal that uses a device under control. A first control unit operates the device in response to a device use request from the client terminal. A detection unit detects a failure of the device. A transfer unit transfers, when a failure is detected in an operating device under control of the first control unit, the device use request from the client terminal to another device control apparatus connected via the network. A second control unit operates, when the device use request is received from the other device control apparatus via the communication interface, the device in response to the request.