Edge Device Linking System for Local Service Provision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IoT systems face issues such as communication loss and service delays between electrical devices and server apparatuses, which can disrupt the provision of services.

Innovation Solution

An edge device linking system that enables communication and service provision between edge devices without the need for direct communication with a server apparatus, utilizing device information management and service provision mechanisms to control operations based on event and action information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical devices communicate with server apparatus through edge devices, then services can be provided via IoT platform, but communication loss and service delays occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidservice delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a service information management table stored in each edge device that acts as a local intermediary for service provisioning. Instead of requiring all service operations to communicate through the cloud server, edge devices can directly process service requests using locally stored service information (event information and action information), thereby reducing communication delays and improving reliability by eliminating single-point communication failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If all service processing is centralized on server apparatus, then service management is unified, but communication dependency increases and real-time control is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice managementVSAvoidreal-time control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments service processing functionality by distributing service information (event information and action information) to multiple edge devices. Each edge device independently stores and executes service logic locally, eliminating the need for centralized server processing for routine service operations. This segmentation enables parallel service execution across multiple edge devices, significantly improving real-time control capability while maintaining ease of operation through standardized service information formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If edge devices directly control electrical devices without server communication, then real-time control is improved, but service management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time control capabilityVSAvoidservice management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms complex service management into a standardized parameter-based system. Service information is structured with specific parameters including event information (trigger conditions) and action information (execution commands). By changing the management approach from centralized complex logic to standardized parameter storage and matching, edge devices can independently handle service operations without increasing operational complexity. The standardized format enables automatic parameter matching and execution, simplifying what would otherwise be complex distributed service management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4060506B1Edge device linking system, edge device linking method, and program
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP4060506B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4060506B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4060506B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An adapter device (200-1) includes a device information manager (201) to manage device information with respect to an electrical device (300-1), and a service provider (202) to manage service information and provide the service based on service information. The service information indicates content of the service and includes action information indicating an operation of an electrical device (300-2) and event information indicating a condition for executing the operation indicated by the action information. An adapter device (200-2) includes a controller (203) to control the operation of the electrical device (300-2). Upon determining that the device information with respect to the electrical device (300-1) satisfies the condition indicated by the event information, the service provider (202) causes the controller (203) to control the electrical device (300-2) to perform the operation indicated by the action information.