Intermediate Data Source Module for Decoupled Application Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Networked devices often face limited lifespan due to unsupported interface technologies and discontinued services, as manufacturers stop providing updates or discontinue networked services, leading to temporary or permanent unavailability of data sources.
Innovation Solution
A method for communicating data requests to one or more data sources, which includes checking availability using stored information, forwarding requests to suitable sources or a placeholder module, and processing data elements with origin indications, allowing applications to select suitable program sequences based on data availability, thereby decoupling from dependent networked sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If networked devices use manufacturer-provided backends and communication protocols, then complete and error-free operation is achieved, but the device lifespan is limited when services are discontinued or protocols are replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data acquisition architecture by introducing an intermediate module that separates the application from direct dependency on specific data sources. This module manages multiple data sources independently, allowing the system to segment failures and continue operation using available sources even when some are discontinued.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate module is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of data sources through a unified interface. It can manage various communication protocols and data formats, enabling the device to adapt to different data sources without requiring protocol-specific application code, thus extending lifespan when protocols are replaced.
2Loss of information
If data requests are sent to multiple data sources to ensure data availability, then data completeness is improved, but system complexity and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate module as a mediator between the application and multiple data sources. This intermediary manages all communications, availability checks, and data routing centrally, preventing the application from directly managing multiple sources. This reduces system complexity by centralizing management logic while maintaining data completeness through coordinated multi-source access.
3Reliability
If availability information is checked for each data request, then data source availability is accurately determined, but communication time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the intermediate module proactively check and store availability information for data sources before actual data requests are made. Availability status is determined in advance and cached, allowing the module to quickly route requests based on pre-known availability without performing real-time availability checks for each request, thus reducing communication time while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for communicating data requests to one or more data sources. The method includes receiving a data request, with which data of one or more data types are requested, from an application, and checking the availability of one or more data sources that are able to provide the one or more requested data types. The method further comprises: if at least one of the one or more data sources is available, sending a request to the available data source for the requested associated data type that the data source can provide; and, if no data source is available for at least one of the requested data types, sending a request for this data type to a placeholder module.