Event-Based Node Coordination Without Centralized Timing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current distributed networks face challenges in coordinating autonomous machines without centralised systems, particularly in environments where centralised communication is unreliable or unavailable, leading to synchronization errors and limited contextual information exchange that can result in safety risks and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method for coordinating machines in a distributed network using event-based synchronization, where nodes construct a logical dependency tree and communicate state information to ensure tasks are completed safely and efficiently without relying on an absolute timestamp.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centralised network connections are used to coordinate autonomous devices, then coordination reliability is improved, but deployment flexibility and adaptability to remote locations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized coordination system into distributed autonomous nodes that each independently execute tasks and make decisions. Instead of one central coordinator, multiple nodes segment the coordination function across the network, allowing deployment in remote locations without centralized infrastructure while maintaining reliable coordination through peer-to-peer communication and consensus mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the coordination function from a centralized server and embeds it directly into autonomous nodes. Each node takes out the ability to independently determine task execution, select actions, and coordinate with others, removing the dependency on centralized network connections and enabling deployment in environments where centralised infrastructure is unavailable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If distributed networks are used without central coordination, then deployment flexibility is improved, but synchronization precision deteriorates due to lack of global clock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of event-based messaging and logical timestamps that mediate between distributed nodes' local clocks. Instead of relying on a global clock, nodes use event-driven communication with structured messages containing logical time references, allowing synchronization without precise time alignment while maintaining deployment flexibility in distributed environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the time synchronization parameter from absolute timestamp-based synchronization to event-based logical time. By transforming the synchronization mechanism from relying on precise clock alignment to using event sequencing and logical timestamps, the system achieves both deployment flexibility and adequate synchronization precision for task coordination.
3Loss of information
If contextual information is increased in message exchanges, then decision-making quality is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making contextual information exchange selective and targeted. Instead of all nodes exchanging all possible information, each node exchanges only the contextual information relevant to its local decision-making needs and task coordination requirements. This reduces overall bandwidth consumption while maintaining sufficient information quality for autonomous decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by exchanging only the necessary portion of contextual information required for task coordination and safety-critical decisions. Nodes transmit selective contextual data rather than complete state information, achieving adequate decision-making quality with reduced bandwidth consumption by transmitting only what is partially sufficient for the coordination task.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to coordinating tasks in a distributed mesh of systems, such as between autonomous vehicles, multi-camera systems, IoT distributed node systems and/or modular factories in a variety of use cases. More particularly, the present invention relates to coordinating events in a distributed mesh of systems based on parameters and constraints and can be used to provide a messaging arrangement that allows distributed systems to communicate and ensure that tasks are completed within the distributed system and/or at one or more nodes within the distributed system. Aspects and/or embodiments seek to provide a method for coordinating machines/nodes/devices of a distributed network, without a centralised system component, by synchronising devices of a distributed system without using an absolute timestamp. Instead, a logical, event-based dependency tree is collaboratively constructed by the nodes of a distributed network to manage decisions at each node of a distributed network.