Device State Management via Gateway Protocol Translation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The creation of a unified device communication environment is hindered by disparate technical characteristics among various devices, including different command sets and communication protocols, which complicates the formation of a single network environment for all devices.
Innovation Solution
A device communication system that includes a gateway server for routing data and commands between electronic devices and a computing environment, utilizing a distributed hash server to identify the appropriate gateway server for each device, and a device registry server to convert requests into formats usable within the computing environment, while also providing device registration and authentication mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If devices with disparate technical characteristics (different command sets and communication protocols) are integrated into a unified network environment, then device connectivity and communication capability are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway server as an intermediary component that mediates between devices with disparate communication protocols and the unified network environment. The gateway server receives commands from the network, translates them into device-specific protocols, and forwards them to the appropriate devices. This intermediary approach enables devices with different technical characteristics to communicate without directly increasing the complexity of the core network system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: device registry servers that manage device information, gateway servers that handle protocol translation, and the core network environment. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific tasks, making the overall system more manageable despite handling diverse device types.
2Reliability
If device state information is continuously monitored and maintained, then device control accuracy and responsiveness are improved, but energy consumption and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of device state information stored in the device registry server. Instead of continuously monitoring and processing actual device states, the system maintains updated copies of device state data that can be queried and used for control decisions. This copying approach enables accurate device control while reducing the need for continuous real-time monitoring, thereby lowering energy consumption and processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Device state information is pre-collected and stored in the device registry before control actions are initiated. This preliminary preparation of device data allows the network to quickly access and process device information when needed, improving control responsiveness without requiring continuous real-time monitoring that would increase energy consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple gateway servers are deployed to handle different device protocols, then device compatibility is improved, but network infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway server is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple device protocols and communication formats. Rather than deploying separate specialized gateways for each protocol, a universal gateway server can translate various device-specific protocols into the unified network format, reducing the overall number of gateway components needed and simplifying network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple protocol translation functions are merged into a single gateway server infrastructure. The gateway server combines various protocol handling capabilities in one system, reducing the number of separate components needed and simplifying network management while maintaining compatibility with diverse device types.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing environment is disclosed that receives from devices requests directed toward services accessible in the environment, and that forwards communications from services in the environment to devices registered with the environment. During a registration process at the environment, devices are assigned a device identifier that is used to identify and authenticate each particular device and requests communicated from and to the device via the environment. The computing environment maintains state information for each device that has been registered with the system. As the device interacts with the system, the state information is updated to reflect the changes in the device. When requests to perform functions are received from devices, the computing environment determines for the particular device and the particular function requested what processing needs to be performed by the environment in response to the request.