IoT Protocol Negotiation for Heterogeneous Device Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In machine-to-machine (M2M) systems, the diversity of devices, applications, and circumstances leads to challenges in communication protocols, where devices using different protocols may not be able to communicate effectively, resulting in inefficient communications and overhead burdens, especially for constrained devices.
Innovation Solution
Protocol indication and negotiation (PIN) is achieved through dialogues between IoT entities, allowing them to select and adjust messaging and transport protocols based on supported, preferred, and desired protocols, as well as circumstances, using existing protocols like TCP, TLS/DTLS, DHCP, and CoAP, and implementing these changes across various layers of the network stack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heterogeneous protocols are used to support diverse devices and applications, then device compatibility and communication flexibility are improved, but protocol selection complexity and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protocol indication and negotiation mechanism as an intermediary layer between diverse devices and protocols. This mechanism enables automatic protocol selection and adjustment during communication, eliminating the need for manual protocol configuration and reducing selection complexity while maintaining support for multiple heterogeneous protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic protocol adjustment where protocol parameters and selections can be modified during runtime based on communication needs. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to different devices and applications automatically, reducing the burden of static protocol configuration while maintaining versatility
2Productivity
If protocol parameters are adjusted during communication, then communication efficiency is improved, but negotiation overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs protocol indication and negotiation during the initial connection establishment phase, before actual data communication begins. This preliminary action ensures that optimal protocol parameters are selected in advance, avoiding repeated negotiations during communication and minimizing overall negotiation time impact on productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where protocol performance is monitored during communication and adjustment suggestions are exchanged between entities. This allows for incremental optimizations without requiring complete protocol renegotiation, balancing communication efficiency improvements with minimal negotiation overhead
3Adaptability or versatility
If protocol negotiation is implemented between all entities, then interoperability is improved, but computational overhead and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables protocol indication and negotiation capabilities selectively at different network layers and for different types of entities based on their specific needs. Not all entities perform full negotiation - only those requiring protocol adaptation do so, while others use default configurations. This local application of negotiation reduces overall computational overhead and energy consumption while maintaining interoperability where needed
Data Source
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AI summary
Network entities may indicate and negotiate one or more new protocols for communications using a current protocol. Indications may include one or more protocols which are supported, one or more protocols which are preferred, and the level of desire of preferences. Indications may further include schedules of times during which certain protocols are supported and/or schedules of functions for which certain protocols are preferred. Indications may be evaluated and acted upon immediately or stored for future reference. Evaluation may include comparison of relative desire levels and needs of various entities. Protocols may be messaging protocols, transport protocols, or combinations thereof.