Protocol Conversion Apparatus Dynamic Rule Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protocol conversion systems are inflexible and unable to efficiently handle the addition of new control instructions and data for diverse home electric appliances, requiring frequent updates and increased complexity, making them inadequate for coping with the evolving needs of advanced home appliance products.
Innovation Solution
A protocol conversion apparatus and method that includes a database unit for storing service descriptions and conversion rules, allowing detection of devices on a network, retrieval of relevant service and conversion rule descriptions, and conversion of access requests between different communication protocols, enabling flexible protocol conversion and supporting new appliance functions without extensive programming updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixedly programmed protocol conversion processing is used in a gateway, then protocol conversion between specific protocols (e.g., UPnP and IEEE 1394) can be conducted, but the system cannot cope with addition of new control instructions and control data for new home electric appliance products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixedly programmed protocol conversion to a dynamic configuration system. The gateway can now adapt its conversion rules dynamically based on detected devices and stored configuration data, allowing it to cope with new control instructions without requiring program updates. This resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible while maintaining manageable complexity through structured configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by storing protocol conversion rules as configurable parameters in a database rather than hardcoding them. This allows conversion rules to be modified, added, or removed by changing parameter values in the database, enabling the system to adapt to new appliances without complex program rewriting. This parameter-based approach resolves the contradiction by simplifying updates while enhancing versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple protocols are handled in the system, then diverse home electric appliances can be controlled, but the application design becomes difficult due to model differences in protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer in the gateway that handles protocol conversion between different communication protocols. This intermediary converts various appliance protocols into a unified interface for the application layer, shielding applications from protocol differences. This resolves the contradiction by enabling multi-protocol support while simplifying application design through a consistent interaction model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by creating a universal protocol conversion framework that can handle multiple communication protocols (UPnP, ECHONET, IEEE 1394, etc.) through a single unified system. The gateway serves multiple functions by converting different protocols to a common internal representation, allowing diverse appliances to be controlled through a standardized application interface. This resolves the contradiction by achieving protocol diversity without application complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If necessary modules corresponding to multiple protocols are prepared, then various home electric appliances can be controlled, but the program becomes complicated and required computer resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple protocol handling capabilities into a single unified gateway system with a common conversion framework. Instead of maintaining separate modules for each protocol, the system combines them into one integrated platform that uses a shared database for configuration and a unified conversion architecture. This reduces overall program complexity and resource consumption while maintaining broad protocol coverage, resolving the contradiction through consolidation.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided with a protocol conversion apparatus including: a database unit which stores service descriptions, each describing at least one service in accordance with specification of a first protocol, and conversion rule descriptions each describing at least one protocol conversion rule; a database retrieval unit which retrieves from the database unit a service description and a conversion rule description; a virtual processing unit which conducts processing of behaving as if providing the service described in the retrieved service description; a conversion unit which converts an access request to the service to an access request of a second protocol, on the basis of a protocol conversion rule associated with the service; and an access request transmission unit which transmits the converted access request.