Network Route Display for Ad Hoc Device Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In ad hoc and mesh networks, it is challenging to easily recognize the relationships and connections between information processing devices, especially as the network expands, which hinders efficient communication and resource management.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves an information processing device that displays and manages connection route information and candidate routes, allowing users to select and connect with other devices through a user interface, while also transmitting connection requests and exchanging information such as communication speed, charging details, and points, based on predefined settings and user preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If ad hoc network or mesh network is extended by connecting more information processing devices, then network coverage and number of connectable devices increase, but it becomes difficult to easily recognize relations between information processing devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidrecognition of device relations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex network topology into individual connection route information and connection candidate route information. Each piece of route information is displayed separately with clear visual distinction, allowing users to understand device relationships incrementally rather than overwhelming them with the entire network structure at once.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms abstract network connection data into a visual spatial representation on a display unit. Connection routes and candidate routes are depicted in different dimensions or visual layers, enabling users to perceive device relationships spatially rather than through complex tabular data or text descriptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If connection route information and connection candidate route information are displayed, then users can easily recognize device relations, but device complexity and information processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition of device relationsVSAvoidinformation processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential connection route information and connection candidate route information from the complete network data set. By selecting and displaying only the most relevant routing information rather than all possible network parameters, the system reduces processing complexity while maintaining effective device relationship recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different display qualities or formats to different types of route information. Connection route information (established paths) is displayed with one level of detail while connection candidate route information (potential paths) is displayed with another level of detail, optimizing the balance between information completeness and processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If users can select from multiple connection routes, then connection flexibility and resource optimization improve, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection flexibilityVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary organization and classification of connection routes and candidate routes before presenting them to the user. Routes are pre-sorted or pre-categorized based on relevant criteria, so users do not need to manually analyze all options but can quickly identify suitable connections from the pre-processed information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring users to initiate complex searches or queries to find connection routes, the patent inverts the approach by actively presenting organized route information to users. The system takes the initiative to display available connections rather than waiting for users to request specific routing information, simplifying the user's interaction burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3089546B1Information processing device, information processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3089546B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3089546B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3089546B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Relations of information processing devices in a network are easily recognized. An information processing device includes a control unit. The control unit performs control of making a display unit display, as route information, relations between a plurality of information processing devices and routes related to wireless communication in a network in which the plurality of information processing devices are interconnected by the plurality of information processing devices performing the wireless communication in a one-to-one manner. The control unit controls the wireless communication in the network on the basis of operation input related to the route information displayed at the display unit.