Proxy Device Status Data Relay for Network Impediments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic device status reporting systems face reliability issues due to network connectivity impediments, particularly in environments with security measures like firewalls and digital certificates, which can hinder timely status data transmission to remote servers, leading to delayed maintenance and service actions.
Innovation Solution
A call home system that enables local interconnection of electronic devices at a customer site, allowing them to share status data and use a proxy device to establish a connection with a remote server, ensuring reliable data transfer and service actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct connection to remote server is implemented, then status data transmission is achieved, but network connectivity impediments and security measures block reliable transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (gateway or proxy server) that mediates between electronic devices and the remote server. This intermediary establishes a bridge through network security measures, allowing status data to be transmitted reliably without direct connection. The intermediary handles authentication, data routing, and protocol translation, resolving the contradiction between reliable transmission and network security impediments.
2Reliability
If local interconnection of electronic devices is implemented, then status data sharing is enabled, but additional communication paths increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into two distinct parts: a local interconnection network for status data collection among electronic devices, and a separate remote communication path for transmitting aggregated data to the server. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - local devices can share status information efficiently while the remote connection handles only necessary data transmission, reducing overall system complexity despite adding communication paths.
3Reliability
If proxy device is used to establish connection, then network security measures are overcome, but additional devices increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the proxy device to perform multiple functions: establishing secure connections through firewalls, routing status data from multiple sources, managing authentication credentials, and formatting data for remote server compatibility. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional proxy device, the system overcomes network security impediments while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity compared to having separate specialized devices for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A first electronic device can receive an identifying signal broadcast from a second electronic device located within a wireless communication range of the first electronic device, and in response, establish a first, local electronic communication path between the first and second electronic devices. The first electronic device can then receive a set of status data from the second electronic device over the local electronic communication path. The first electronic device can then establish a second, remote electronic communication path to a remote server and subsequently transmit, over the remote electronic communication path, the status data from the second electronic device along with status data from the first electronic device.