MTC Proxy Node Merging Commands to Reduce Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

In MTC device management, existing systems face inefficiencies due to duplicate, conflicting, and outdated commands being sent to MTC devices, leading to excessive power consumption and resource wastage, especially since MTC devices often rely on energy harvesting and have limited power supply.

Innovation Solution

A network node with a processing unit and memory, capable of receiving messages from MTC device managers, merging these messages to remove duplicates, conflicts, and outdated information, and sending aggregated messages to MTC devices, thereby reducing the load on the devices and optimizing energy usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If MTC devices receive multiple commands from multiple managers, then the devices can be controlled by multiple application servers, but duplicate and conflicting commands are sent to the device leading to excessive power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMultiple managers controlling MTC devicesVSAvoidPower consumption of MTC devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a proxy as an intermediary component between multiple MTC device managers and the MTC device. The proxy receives commands from multiple managers, processes them to remove duplicates and resolve conflicts, and forwards only necessary commands to the device. This mediator architecture enables multiple managers to control the device while preventing excessive power consumption caused by redundant commands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple commands intended for the same MTC device into a single aggregated command set. The proxy combines commands from multiple managers, eliminates duplicates, resolves conflicts according to predefined rules, and sends the merged result to the device. This merging process reduces the total number of commands the device must process, thereby conserving energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Speed

If MTC devices actively listen for commands from managers, then commands can be received promptly, but the devices consume excessive power to maintain continuous listening

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCommand reception speedVSAvoidPower consumption for command listening

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a pull-based command transfer mechanism where the MTC device actively requests commands from the proxy at predetermined intervals rather than continuously listening. The device wakes up, pulls available commands from the proxy in a single operation, and then returns to sleep mode. This preliminary action approach allows the device to receive commands promptly when available while consuming minimal power during sleep intervals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic command polling where the MTC device wakes up at predetermined time intervals to check for and retrieve commands from the proxy. This periodic action replaces continuous active listening, maintaining the capability to receive commands promptly while dramatically reducing power consumption during the intervals between polls when the device remains in low-power sleep mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If MTC devices process all received commands, then all manager instructions are executed, but redundant and conflicting instructions waste device resources

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCommand execution completenessVSAvoidEnergy wasted on redundant processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The proxy acts as an intelligent intermediary that filters and processes commands before they reach the MTC device. It identifies duplicate commands from multiple managers and eliminates them, resolves conflicting commands using predefined priority rules, and forwards only the essential non-duplicate, non-conflicting commands to the device. This ensures the device executes complete necessary instructions while avoiding wasteful processing of redundant commands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes duplicate and conflicting commands from the command set before forwarding to the MTC device. The proxy identifies redundant instructions and extracts only the unique, valid commands that need to be executed. This extraction process ensures that the device receives a cleaned command set, maintaining productivity by executing all necessary commands while eliminating energy waste from processing redundant instructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3149994B1Merging proxy

Publication Date: 2019.10.02 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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Figure 2A
Figure 2B

AI summary

The invention relates to a method at a network node in a communications network configured to receive messages from at least one MTC device manager (12A, 12B) intended for an MTC device (10A, 10B, 10C), as well as the network node (13). The invention further relates to a network node and a method at the network node to receive messages from at least one MTC device intended for a one or more MTC device managers. In a first aspect of the present invention, a method is provided at a network node in a communications network configured to receive messages from at least one MTC device manager intended for an MTC device. The method comprises merging the received messages into at least one MTC device message, and sending the at least one MTC device message to the MTC device.