LTG Server for Distributed Device Task Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote operations control systems for interconnected devices face challenges in managing groups of devices to perform tasks effectively, particularly in coordinating tasks with dependencies and evaluating device performance in industrial and environmental control systems.
Innovation Solution
A Location-based Task Governor (LTG) server system that automates the selection and management of devices to perform tasks by evaluating past performance, current workload, and location, and coordinates task execution among devices using a network of interconnected devices, enabling both cooperative and competitive task performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If remote operations control is implemented to increase device effectiveness, then device effectiveness is improved, but management of device groups becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized server as an intermediary between operators and distributed devices. The server manages device groups, assigns tasks, coordinates operations, and evaluates performance, thereby reducing the complexity of direct remote management while maintaining improved device effectiveness through automated orchestration.
2Ease of operation
If centralized control is used to coordinate device tasks, then task coordination is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized control system implements continuous feedback mechanisms where devices report their status, task completion, and performance metrics to the server. The server uses this feedback to dynamically adjust task assignments, rebalance workloads, and optimize coordination, thereby improving ease of operation while managing system complexity through data-driven automation.
3Productivity
If automated device selection is implemented based on performance evaluation, then task assignment efficiency is improved, but measurement and evaluation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal performance evaluation framework that standardizes measurement criteria across diverse device types. The server maintains performance profiles and evaluation metrics that can be applied universally to different devices, enabling automated task assignment based on comparable performance data while reducing the complexity of measuring and evaluating heterogeneous device capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for controlling distributed operations of devices, such as for devices that are each part of or otherwise associated with a mechanical system containing actuators to manipulate a surrounding environment and optionally further containing sensors to obtain information from the surrounding environment, and with such a device controlling the associated system to perform industrial operations. The described techniques may include identifying a group of multiple such devices to perform one or more assigned tasks, such as in a cooperative distributed manner with each device performing part of the assigned tasks, and/or in a competitive manner with some or all devices independently performing at least one assigned task. The performances of the devices may further be evaluated in various manners, and the devices selected to perform one or more tasks may be identified in various manners (including based at least in part on past performance evaluations).