Gateway Backup Recovery for Smart Socket Configuration Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In connected power systems, replacing a failed gateway device without losing configuration settings and other data is a time-consuming and error-prone process.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for automatically backing up configuration parameters and data from a failing gateway device to a remote location, such as a supervisor controller, and uploading this data to a replacement gateway device to restore the original configuration and dynamic parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gateway device is replaced manually with configuration transfer, then system functionality is maintained, but time consumption and error probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary backup of configuration parameters and data from the original gateway device to the supervisor controller before the gateway device fails or needs replacement. This advance preparation ensures that when replacement is needed, the configuration data is already available, eliminating time-consuming manual transfer operations while maintaining system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the configuration parameters and data from the original gateway device and stores it in the supervisor controller. This copying mechanism allows the replacement gateway device to be quickly configured by retrieving the pre-stored backup data, significantly reducing configuration time while ensuring system functionality is maintained.
2Reliability
If gateway device is replaced manually with configuration transfer, then system functionality is maintained, but error probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system digitally copies the configuration parameters and data from the original gateway device to the supervisor controller's storage. This digital copying process eliminates manual transcription errors and ensures accurate reproduction of the original configuration on the replacement gateway device, maintaining system functionality without introducing human errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The replacement gateway device automatically retrieves and applies its configuration from the backup stored in the supervisor controller, without requiring manual intervention. This self-service configuration process eliminates human errors associated with manual configuration transfer while ensuring the system functionality is properly maintained.
3Ease of operation
If manual configuration transfer is performed, then replacement gateway device can be configured, but automation level decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The supervisor controller automatically performs preliminary backup of configuration parameters and data before gateway replacement. This automated preliminary action eliminates the need for manual configuration extraction and transfer, simplifying the gateway replacement process while increasing the extent of automation in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The replacement gateway device automatically retrieves its configuration from the supervisor controller's backup storage and configures itself without human intervention. This self-service mechanism dramatically increases automation level while making the gateway replacement process easier to operate, as users only need to physically replace the device rather than manually configure it.
4Reliability
If configuration data is stored locally in gateway device, then data accessibility is maintained, but data loss risk increases upon gateway failure
Solution Approach 1:
The supervisor controller serves as an intermediary storage location for backup configuration parameters and data. By maintaining a copy of the configuration data in the supervisor controller separate from the gateway device, the system ensures data availability even when the gateway device fails or is replaced, preventing configuration data loss while maintaining local accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary backup of configuration data from the gateway device to the supervisor controller before any failure occurs. This advance data preservation ensures that configuration information is securely stored in an alternate location, eliminating the risk of data loss upon gateway failure while maintaining the ability to quickly restore data to a replacement device.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method and system for replacing a gateway device that interfaces between smart sockets and a supervisor controller. The smart sockets include plug receptacles that can selectively control power based on signals from the gateway. Each socket wirelessly communicates with the gateway device. The gateway device stores parameters for paired smart sockets, including configuration settings and in some cases energy usage data. Before replacement, parameters are backed up to a remote location. After installing a replacement gateway device, the backed-up parameters are uploaded to restore the original configuration. In some cases, each socket wirelessly communicates with the gateway device to report energy consumption, which the gateway then accumulates over time. The replacement gateway continues tracking energy usage starting from the restored values. Other parameters may include socket IDs, Bluetooth IDs, appliance types, operating modes, schedules, and power settings for each paired smart socket.