IoT Gateway Management Console Access via URL Resolver

Solution Overview

Problem

IoT gateways often become inaccessible for physical connection due to their small size or placement in non-accessible locations, making it difficult to manage and configure them without physical ports, which increases costs and reduces efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) resolver server is used to facilitate access to the management console of IoT gateways, allowing wireless configuration and management without the need for physical plugging, using a unique identifier and IP address mapping to redirect administrative devices to the management console URL.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical ports are provided on the gateway device for direct connection, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of configurationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a management server as an intermediary between the gateway device and the administrative device. The management server receives setup data from the administrative device and forwards it to the gateway device, eliminating the need for direct physical connections while maintaining ease of configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (physical ports and cables) with a wireless communication system. The gateway device and administrative device communicate via wireless signals through the management server, eliminating the need for physical plugging while maintaining configuration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If physical ports are provided on the gateway device, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of configurationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the physical connection functionality from the gateway device by moving it to the management server. The gateway device no longer needs physical ports for configuration, as this function is performed remotely through the management server, reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (physical ports and cables) with a wireless communication system. The gateway device and administrative device communicate via wireless signals through the management server, eliminating the need for physical plugging while maintaining configuration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the gateway device is made smaller, then energy consumption is reduced, but ease of operation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The management server acts as an intermediary that enables configuration of the gateway device without requiring physical access. The administrative device communicates with the gateway through the management server, allowing configuration of small, inaccessible gateways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (physical ports and cables) with a wireless communication system. The gateway device and administrative device communicate via wireless signals through the management server, eliminating the need for physical plugging while maintaining configuration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10700926B2Accessing gateway management console

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Technical solutions are described for configuring a gateway in an IoT system. An example method includes providing, by an identification module, a user-interface (UI) access information to an administrative device. The method further includes receiving, by a setup module, from the administrative device, and via a management console generated based on the UI access information, setup data. The method further includes adjusting, by the setup module, one or more settings of the gateway according to the setup data.