Instruction Response Batching for Low-Latency Device Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote device control systems face latency and overhead issues due to the need for constant communication of control instructions, particularly in unmanned vehicles, which can lead to buffer overflow and inefficient data transfer.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for selectively including instruction data items in response messages based on whether they have been previously sent, allowing for dynamic adjustment of data items in messages to optimize communication, including multiple items when needed and single items when the buffer is likely full, thereby reducing latency and overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If control instructions are constantly provided to the device via communication link, then the device can operate autonomously and respond to changes in operating conditions, but this causes latency and overhead issues in data communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operation reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by sending multiple instruction data items in advance before they are actually needed. The control apparatus determines that the device likely has buffer capacity and proactively transmits a batch of future instructions, so when the device needs them, they are already available in the buffer, eliminating the need for real-time requests and reducing communication latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by using buffer zones at both the control apparatus and device ends. These buffers absorb communication delays and variability, allowing the system to tolerate latency without affecting operation reliability. The buffers act as cushions that decouple the timing between instruction generation and execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Productivity

If multiple instruction data items are sent in a single response message, then data transfer efficiency is improved and latency is reduced, but this increases the risk of buffer overflow at the device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer efficiencyVSAvoidbuffer overflow prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by having the device send acknowledgment messages back to the control apparatus after receiving instruction data items. The control apparatus uses this feedback to determine whether the device buffer is full or has capacity. Based on this feedback information, the control apparatus dynamically adjusts the number of instruction data items to send in subsequent response messages, preventing buffer overflow while maximizing data transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the number of instruction data items in response messages variable rather than fixed. The control apparatus dynamically adjusts this number based on real-time buffer status feedback from the device. When the device buffer has capacity, more items are sent; when it's full, fewer items are sent, optimizing both efficiency and reliability adaptively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the control apparatus sends one instruction data item per request, then buffer overflow is prevented, but this increases communication overhead and reduces data transfer efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuffer overflow preventionVSAvoidcommunication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If constant communication is maintained between control apparatus and device, then real-time control is achieved, but this consumes processing energy in battery-operated devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time control capabilityVSAvoiddevice processing energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by changing the communication pattern from constant real-time requests to periodic batch transmissions. The control apparatus sends multiple instruction data items in periodic response messages based on device buffer status, rather than maintaining continuous real-time communication. This reduces the frequency of communication events and processing operations at the device, thereby conserving battery energy while maintaining real-time control capability through proactive buffering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3697061B1Communication protocol for controlling devices

Publication Date: 2023.07.05 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

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AI summary

Method and apparatuses for communicating instruction data items from a control apparatus to a device to be controlled are disclosed. The control apparatus receives a request for at least one instruction data item from a device and responds the request by sending a response message. The responding comprises selectively including at least one instruction data item in the response message based at least partly on determination whether the requested at least one data item has been sent before.