Intermediary Node Session Aggregation for Constrained Servers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Constrained devices in networked systems, such as sensors and actuators, face resource burdens due to maintaining multiple server-client sessions, especially when interacting with a large number of clients, which can lead to reduced lifespan and increased computational and power resource usage.

Innovation Solution

An intermediary node intercepts client requests and establishes aggregate server-client sessions, combining overlapping requests to reduce the number of sessions maintained by the server, thereby conserving resources and extending the lifespan of constrained devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the server maintains individual server-client sessions for each client, then each client can be served independently, but the number of server-client sessions increases, leading to increased computational and power resource usage on the constrained server

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAbility to serve multiple clients independentlyVSAvoidPower resource usage on constrained server

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual server-client sessions into a single aggregate server-intermediary session. The intermediary node consolidates requests from multiple clients and maintains one session with the server, thereby reducing the total number of sessions the constrained server must manage while still serving all clients independently through the intermediary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary node that acts as a mediator between multiple clients and the constrained server. The intermediary manages multiple client sessions locally and maintains only one aggregate session with the server, offloading the session management burden from the constrained server and reducing its computational and power resource usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If the server maintains many server-client sessions simultaneously, then more clients can be supported, but the computational resources and processing load on the server increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNumber of clients supportedVSAvoidSession management complexity on server

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediary node serves as a session management intermediary, handling the complexity of maintaining multiple client sessions locally. The constrained server only needs to manage a single aggregate session with the intermediary, significantly reducing session management complexity while still supporting multiple clients through the intermediary's coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple individual client sessions are merged into a single aggregate session between the server and the intermediary node. This consolidation reduces the number of session management operations the server must perform, simplifying session management complexity while maintaining support for multiple clients through the intermediary's session aggregation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If constrained devices support more server-client sessions, then more interactions can be handled, but the lifespan of the devices decreases due to increased resource consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNumber of interactions handledVSAvoidLifespan of constrained device

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediary node offloads session management responsibilities from the constrained device, allowing the device to maintain fewer sessions while still handling the same number of client interactions. This reduction in session management overhead conserves computational and power resources, extending the operational lifespan of the constrained device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

By merging multiple client interactions into a single aggregate session, the total number of sessions the constrained device must maintain is reduced. This consolidation decreases the computational and power resources required for session management, thereby extending the device's operational lifespan while maintaining the same level of interaction productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10666737B2Reducing a number of server-client sessions

Publication Date: 2020.05.26 INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICRO ELECTRONICS CENT (IMEC VZW)

AI summary

A method for an intermediary node to reduce a number of server-client sessions between a server (104) and a plurality of clients (102a, 102b, 102c) communicably connected to the server (104) over a network is disclosed. The intermediary node (106) intercepts a first request and a second request destined to the server (104) from a first client (102a; 102b; 102c) and a second client (102a; 102b; 102c). The intermediary node (106) establishes a server-client session, between the intermediary node (106) and the server (104), using the first request. If the first request overlaps in part with the second request and if a part of the second request is not overlapping with the first request, the intermediary node (106) updates the server-client session between the intermediary node (106) and the server (104) to include a part of the second request.