Edge Intelligence Service Chains for Network-Resilient ACI

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing documentation systems lack efficiency and accuracy in automating the collection and processing of encounter information, particularly in clinical settings, leading to suboptimal generation and distribution of medical records.

Innovation Solution

An ambient cooperative intelligence system that integrates machine vision and audio recording systems to automate the collection and processing of clinical encounter information, using microphone arrays and null-steering precoding to enhance audio capture, and machine vision to identify participants, generating accurate and efficient medical records.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If centralized servers and cloud computing are used to provide intelligent services, then service functionality is improved, but network dependency increases and services become unavailable when network connection is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice functionalityVSAvoidservice availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized intelligence system into distributed edge intelligence units deployed across multiple devices. Each edge device maintains local intelligence capabilities, dividing the monolithic cloud system into autonomous segments that can operate independently when network connectivity is lost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer between cloud servers and end devices through edge computing nodes. These intermediaries cache data and models locally, enabling services to continue functioning using local resources when the network connection to centralized servers is unavailable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If more data is collected and transmitted to cloud servers for processing, then service intelligence is improved, but network bandwidth consumption and privacy risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice intelligenceVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts intelligence processing capabilities from centralized cloud servers and places them at the network edge. This extraction allows data to be processed locally where it is generated, eliminating the need to transmit raw data across the network while maintaining high service intelligence through local inference and analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If heterogeneous devices with different capabilities are supported, then system versatility is improved, but coordination and collaboration among devices become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidsystem coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal service chain framework that can accommodate heterogeneous devices with different capabilities. The service chain architecture provides standardized interfaces and abstraction layers that enable diverse devices to participate in collaborative services without requiring complex device-to-device coordination protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If services are distributed across multiple edge devices, then service reliability is improved, but service chain coordination and management become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidservice chain management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms in the service chain management system where devices report their status, capability changes, and performance metrics to a coordination layer. This feedback enables dynamic service chain composition and optimization, allowing the system to manage distributed services efficiently through continuous monitoring and adaptive reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4118527B1Ambient cooperative intelligence system and method
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS INC
  • EP4118527B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4118527B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4118527B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A A method, computer program product, and computing system for generating a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of a three-dimensional space incorporating an ACI system via a video recording subsystem of an ACI calibration platform; and generating one or more audio calibration signals for receipt by an audio recording system included within the ACI system via an audio generation subsystem of the ACI calibration platform.