Proxy Node for Interconnecting Application Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for networked object interconnectivity lack holistic and unified interaction with multiple networked objects, environments, and services, failing to provide intuitive understanding of contexts, relationships, ownership, compatibility, history, metadata, and dependencies, as well as effective management of data flows and responses to triggering events.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of social mapping principles to manage networked resource nodes through application modules interconnected by an application management proxy node, which translates communication traffic and maintains information on module identities, capabilities, and interconnections, enabling compatible communication and data flow management between nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ad-hoc solutions are used for networked device connectivity, then specific limited functionalities are enabled, but holistic and unified interaction with multiple networked objects is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments networked objects into resource nodes with application modules, where each module represents a discrete functional unit. This segmentation allows individual modules to be managed independently while maintaining overall system functionality, resolving the contradiction between versatility and integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
An application management proxy node is introduced as an intermediary between application modules on different resource nodes. This proxy node manages functional interconnections, translates communication protocols, and coordinates data flows, enabling holistic interaction without requiring direct complex integration between all modules.
2Ease of operation
If direct interconnection between application modules is implemented, then communication between modules is established, but compatibility issues arise due to different communication protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The application management proxy node serves as a protocol translation intermediary. It receives communication traffic from application modules using various protocols, translates it into a standardized format, and forwards it to destination modules, thereby enabling compatible communication without requiring modules to support multiple protocols directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy node implements universal communication capabilities by supporting multiple communication protocols simultaneously. It acts as a multi-functional adapter that can handle different protocol types (HTTP, TCP/IP, Bluetooth, etc.) and translate them into a common internal format, enabling any module to communicate with any other module regardless of their native protocols.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive management of networked objects is provided, then intuitive understanding of contexts and relationships is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Context information and metadata are maintained locally at each resource node and application module level rather than requiring centralized management of all information. Each module maintains its own context, capabilities, and relationship data, which reduces the complexity of global information management while preserving comprehensive context awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where application modules report their status, context changes, and relationship information to the application management proxy node. The proxy node uses this feedback to dynamically update the social map and adjust functional interconnections, enabling intuitive context understanding through distributed information gathering rather than centralized control.
Data Source
AI summary
A resource node has application modules that are functionally interconnected by an application management proxy node to one another and/or to application modules of another resource node to provide combined functionality to a user. The resource node includes a plurality of the application modules and an application agent. Each of the application modules controls the resource node to provide corresponding defined functionality. The application agent communicates with the application management proxy node to establish functional interconnections between two or more of the application modules of the resource node and/or between at least one of the application modules of the resource node and at least one of the application modules of the other resource node. The application agent translates communication traffic to provide compatible communications between the application modules that are functionality interconnected. Related application management proxy nodes and methods are disclosed.