M2M Application Server Group Management via XDMS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current M2M communication systems lack an efficient method for managing groups of devices, as existing implementations do not allow easy identification of group membership, making it cumbersome to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously, especially when some groups are not visible to the outside Internet world.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a Machine-to-Machine Application Server (M2M-AS) and an XML Data Management Server (XDMS) that relays and stores group information, enabling efficient handling of requests for group membership and allowing communication with entire groups of devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If groups of M2M devices are formed to enable efficient communication with multiple devices simultaneously, then communication efficiency is improved, but identification and management of group membership becomes complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an M2M application server as an intermediary between external parties and M2M devices. This server maintains group information and manages group memberships, allowing external parties to communicate with groups using simple group identifiers without needing to know individual device identities or manage group structures directly. The server mediates the complexity of group management internally while presenting a simplified interface externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts group management functionality from the communication process itself and separates it into a dedicated information management system. The M2M application server specifically handles group information storage, retrieval, and management, while the actual communication processes can proceed independently. This separation allows group management to be optimized independently from communication protocols.
2Loss of time
If group membership information is stored and managed centrally, then retrieval of group information becomes efficient, but system architecture becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the M2M application server pre-establish and maintain group information databases before any communication requests occur. Group memberships, device identities, and group characteristics are registered and stored in advance, allowing for immediate retrieval when communication requests are made. This eliminates the need for real-time discovery or computation of group memberships during communication operations.
3Ease of operation
If all groups are made visible to the outside Internet world for easy access, then external parties can easily communicate with devices, but security and network management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different visibility and access characteristics for different groups. The M2M application server maintains information about which groups are visible to external parties and which are private. External parties can easily access and communicate with visible groups using group identifiers, while private groups remain protected and accessible only through authorized channels. This selective visibility approach enables easy external access where needed while maintaining security where required.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and corresponding Machine-to-Machine Application Server (M2M-AS) and XML Data Management Server (XDMS) are provided for managing groups of M2M applications running on various devices. As groups of M2M applications are formed in a network, the group information comprising identities of the groups and identities of M2M applications belonging to each group is relayed to the M2M-AS. The later further sends such information to the XDMS server for storage. Requests for group membership related to M2M applications can then be handled. When a request for group membership related to an application is received at an M2M gateway or at the M2M-AS, the request is further sent to the XMDS server, which replies back to the requestor with identities of the group(s) that comprise the given M2M application, thus enabling, for example, the requestor to communicate not only with the application, but with entire groups comprising the application.