Proxy-Assisted Information Collection Beyond Short-Range Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information collection systems fail to gather data from terminals that move out of the communicable range of the collection apparatus, leading to data gaps.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a proxy apparatus that uses a second communication method with a longer range to collect data from terminals that are out of range of the primary collection apparatus, allowing data to be relayed via a network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the collection apparatus uses a first communication method with limited range, then power consumption is reduced and communication simplicity is maintained, but information cannot be collected from terminals outside the communicable range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy apparatus as an intermediary between the collection apparatus and terminals outside its communicable range. The collection apparatus sends information collection requests to the proxy apparatus, which then collects information from terminals using the first communication method and relays it back to the collection apparatus via a network. This mediator approach extends the effective coverage range without requiring the collection apparatus itself to have long-range communication capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the information collection function into two separate components: the collection apparatus that manages and processes information, and the proxy apparatus that handles actual data collection from distant terminals. This segmentation allows each component to use the appropriate communication method for its specific function, maintaining simplicity where needed while extending range where necessary.
2Reliability
If the collection apparatus uses a second communication method with longer range, then information can be collected from terminals outside the first communication range, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy apparatus acts as an intermediary that performs the power-consuming long-range communication task on behalf of the collection apparatus. The collection apparatus only communicates with the proxy apparatus via network protocols, avoiding direct use of high-power long-range radio communication. This separates the energy-intensive function from the main collection apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual extension of the collection apparatus through the proxy apparatus. Instead of the collection apparatus directly communicating with all terminals using high-power methods, it creates a copied communication path through the proxy, which handles the actual long-range data collection using optimized communication protocols.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication methods are integrated into the collection apparatus, then communication versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy apparatus serves as an intermediary that provides the collection apparatus with access to multiple communication methods without integrating them directly into the collection apparatus. The collection apparatus maintains a simple single-method interface, while the proxy handles the complexity of supporting both first and second communication methods for different terminal types and ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy apparatus is designed with universal functionality to handle both first communication method (short-range) and second communication method (long-range) interactions with various terminals. This multi-functional proxy can adapt to different terminal capabilities and communication requirements, providing versatility at the proxy level rather than requiring the collection apparatus to support all communication modes directly.
Data Source
AI summary
An information collection system includes a collection apparatus, and one or more proxy apparatuses, in which the collection apparatus collects information from a terminal by communication using a first communication method, in a case where the information is not collected from the terminal in the communication, transmits an information collection request for the terminal to the one or more proxy apparatuses by communication using a second communication method, and collects the information of the terminal with which any of the one or more proxy apparatuses responds in accordance with the information collection request, and the proxy apparatus responds to the collection apparatus with the collected information in a case where the information is collected from the terminal by communication using the first communication method in accordance with the information collection request from the collection apparatus.