Location-Based Address Adapter for Peripheral Device Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face complexity in replacing peripheral devices at physical locations due to network IP address dependencies, requiring IT expertise and reprogramming, and lack of location-based addressing methods.
Innovation Solution
A location-based address adapter system that defines a non-network based physical location address, allowing for simple replacement of peripheral devices by routing all power and communication connections through the adapter, independent of network configuration, and automatically maintaining location mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a peripheral device is addressed by its network IP address, then the device can be identified on the network, but the replacement of the peripheral device becomes complicated and requires IT expertise to reprogram the mapping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a location-based address adapter as an intermediary device between the network and the peripheral device. The adapter maintains the mapping between location-based addresses and network IP addresses, while the peripheral device itself only needs to communicate with the adapter. This allows the peripheral device to be replaced without changing the location-based address mapping, as the adapter absorbs the reconfiguration burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the addressing function into two layers: location-based addressing (for user interaction and device identification) and network IP addressing (for actual network communication). The location-based address adapter sits at the boundary between these layers, translating between them. This segmentation allows changes in the network layer (IP address reassignment) without affecting the location layer.
2Ease of operation
If the mapping between peripheral devices and locations is maintained in the system software, then seamless function is provided to the user, but the system must be reprogrammed when a device is replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The location-based address adapter serves as an intermediary that maintains the mapping between location-based addresses and peripheral devices, rather than the system software. The adapter presents a consistent location-based address to the system regardless of which peripheral device is physically connected, thereby maintaining seamless user function while simplifying replacement procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard MAC-to-IP mapping is used in the adapter, then network compatibility is achieved, but the solution remains dependent on network configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter creates a virtual copy of the network interface at the location-based address layer. Instead of directly mapping MAC addresses to IP addresses, the adapter creates a location-based address that copies the functionality of network addressing but is independent of actual network configuration. This allows the system to maintain network compatibility through standard protocols while decoupling the location-based addressing from network-specific details.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A location-based address adapter (16) for use in a system (10) to facilitate communication between a host computer (12) and one peripheral device (14) of a plurality of peripheral devices includes a body (60-1, 60-2) and an electrical circuit (62-1, 62-2). The body (60-1, 60-2) is removably attached to only one peripheral device (14). The electrical circuit (62-1, 62-2) includes a communications interface circuit (66-1, 66-2) and an adapter memory circuit (64-1, 64-2). The communications interface circuit (66-1, 66-2) communicates between the host computer (12) and a respective peripheral device (14) to which the body (60-1, 60-2) is attached. The adapter memory circuit (64-1, 64-2) stores a unique physical location address (34) for association with a physical location associated with the peripheral device (14) to which the body (60-1, 60-2) is attached. The unique physical location address (34) is a non-network based address.