Edge Computing Server Discovery Using Resource Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless devices face challenges in efficiently discovering edge computing servers due to communication delays and hardware limitations, which are unsuitable for real-time applications.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an edge discovery service (EDS) and a device offload facilitator (DOF) function to facilitate the selection of edge compute resources based on specified criteria, using an EDS deployed within the carrier network and a DOF operating in wireless devices to make offloading decisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If centralized cloud computing servers are used for computationally demanding applications, then processing capability is improved, but communication delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidcommunication delay
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized cloud computing infrastructure into distributed edge computing servers located closer to user equipment. This segmentation allows computationally demanding applications to be processed at edge locations, maintaining processing capability while reducing communication delay by eliminating long-distance centralized cloud access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an edge discovery service as an intermediary between user equipment and edge computing servers. This intermediary facilitates efficient connection establishment and server selection, optimizing the balance between processing capability and communication delay by routing computations through appropriate edge infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If edge computing servers are physically moved closer to users, then communication delay is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication delayVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an edge discovery service as an intermediary that manages the complexity of discovering and connecting to edge computing servers. This service handles server selection, capability matching, and connection establishment, thereby reducing the burden on user devices while enabling access to distributed edge infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements automatic edge server discovery and selection mechanisms that operate without significant user intervention. The system automatically identifies suitable edge computing servers based on application requirements and establishes connections, allowing the infrastructure to self-manage complexity while providing simplified access to users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If edge discovery service is implemented to facilitate server selection, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but latency for discovery process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoiddiscovery latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-establishes edge computing server information and capabilities in the edge discovery service before actual computation requests are made. By preparing server profiles, capabilities, and availability information in advance, the system enables rapid server selection when computation requests arrive, improving resource allocation efficiency while minimizing discovery latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4104467B1Efficient discovery of edge computing servers
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 APPLE INC
  • EP4104467B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4104467B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4104467B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for performing efficient discovery of edge computing servers. A wireless device may provide an edge compute request to an edge discovery service, which may indicate one or more criteria for the edge compute request. The edge discovery service may select one or more edge application servers for the edge compute request based on edge compute resource availability profile information that it stores for multiple edge application servers and the one or more criteria for the edge compute request. The edge discovery service may provide a response to the edge compute request to the wireless device, which may include an indication of the selected edge application server or servers.