Edge Automation Networking with Local Address Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automation systems with multiple devices face inefficiencies and increased complexity due to reliance on centralized computing, leading to system downtime and latency during device installation, upgrade, or reassignment, as they require extensive network involvement and reprogramming.

Innovation Solution

Implementing local computing circuitry within automated devices to generate unique device addresses and enable direct device-to-device communication, allowing for efficient data transmission and operational optimizations without relying on network controllers, thereby simplifying deployment and reducing system downtime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If centralized computing is used to manage device addresses and communication, then system control and coordination are improved, but system complexity and deployment time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem controlVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized address management function by embedding local computing circuitry in each automated device. Each device independently generates its own network address using factory-collected information, eliminating the need for centralized address assignment and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable device identification and communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If centralized computing is used for device management, then system coordination is improved, but system downtime during device changes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem coordinationVSAvoidsystem downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by collecting unique factory information during device manufacturing and storing it in the device's local computing circuitry before deployment. This pre-configured data enables devices to autonomously generate network addresses and integrate into the system immediately upon connection, eliminating time-consuming centralized configuration procedures and reducing system downtime during device changes or upgrades.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If network controllers are used for device communication, then centralized control is improved, but communication latency and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized controlVSAvoidcommunication latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the address generation function from the network controller and implements it locally within each automated device. By taking out this critical function from centralized control, devices can independently generate their network addresses and communicate directly with each other, reducing communication latency and eliminating the need for network controller involvement in address management while maintaining systematic coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11218360B2Automation system with edge computing

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 QUEST AUTOMATED SERVICES LLC

AI summary

An automation system employing multiple automated devices can establish and utilize two-way communication independent of a network controller by generating a unique network address with respective local circuitry. The local circuitry can be incorporated into a device or physically installed on-site in the form of an attachment, which allows automated devices to be upgraded and supplemented without altering the programming of a network controller.