Duplicate Signal Filtering in Networked Server Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control systems face challenges in ensuring stable control execution via networks like the Internet, due to unpredictable communication delays and the inability to use real-time communication protocols like UDP when firewalls or proxy servers are present.

Innovation Solution

A server device comprising a communicator, a determiner, and a control operation part, which sequentially receives packets with the same signal via different connection information, determines if the signal has already been received, and generates a corresponding signal only if it has not been received previously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If control is executed via a network such as the Internet, then system accessibility and flexibility are improved, but communication delays and instability occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork accessibilityVSAvoidcontrol execution stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The server device preliminarily determines whether a received signal is a duplicate before processing it. By checking if the signal has already been received and processed, the system prepares in advance to filter out redundant packets, preventing unnecessary processing and maintaining control stability over networks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the server device tracks which signals have been received and processes subsequent duplicate signals based on this information. This feedback loop ensures that only necessary control actions are executed while maintaining network accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If multiple server devices are used, then system capacity and distribution are improved, but unexpected communication delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidcommunication delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Each server device preliminarily checks whether a signal is a duplicate before executing control actions. This preliminary determination prevents redundant processing across multiple servers, ensuring that control operations are executed only once even when multiple servers are involved, thereby maintaining real-time performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If firewall or proxy server is arranged for security, then system security is improved, but real-time communication protocol usage is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem securityVSAvoidcommunication protocol flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The server device acts as an intermediary that receives signals through firewall-restricted protocols (like TCP), determines whether they are duplicates, and generates appropriate control signals. This intermediary function allows secure communication through firewalls while maintaining the ability to execute real-time control by filtering duplicates before they affect system responsiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4564785A1Server device, communication device, and control system
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP4564785A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4564785A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4564785A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to the present embodiment, a server device comprises a communicator, a determiner, and a control operation part. The communicator sequentially receives a plurality of first packets each including a same first signal with respect to each of different pieces of connection information via a network. The determiner determines whether the first signal included in each of the first packets has been already received. The control operation part generates a second signal corresponding to the first signal when the first signal is determined not to have been already received based on the determination.