Proxy Nodes Expand Wireless Node Functionality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless node systems in environments like retail stores often lack native functionality to read certain types of user credentials, requiring costly hardware retrofits, which is impractical and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of proxy nodes within the wireless network that provide additional circuit functions, such as RFID readers, sounders, visual indicators, sensors, and haptic outputs, to upgrade the functionality of existing wireless nodes without physical modifications, enabling them to read various types of user credentials and perform other tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hardware retrofits are performed to add credential reading functionality to existing wireless nodes, then the functionality is improved, but the cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy node as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between the existing wireless node and the credential reading functionality. The proxy node contains the credential reader circuitry and communicates with both the wireless network and the target device, allowing existing nodes to access credential reading capabilities without physical modification. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by providing enhanced functionality while avoiding complex hardware retrofits.
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy node is designed as a universal solution that can serve multiple existing wireless nodes with different credential reading requirements. A single proxy node can be associated with multiple target devices and provide credential authentication services to all of them. This multi-functional design allows the system to achieve versatility across the network without requiring individual hardware modifications to each node, thereby reducing overall complexity and cost.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hardware retrofits are performed to add credential reading functionality, then the functionality is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the credential reading functionality in a separate proxy node rather than integrating it into each target device, the system avoids costly hardware modifications to existing nodes. The proxy node can be manufactured as a standardized, cost-effective unit that is deployed once to serve multiple devices, significantly reducing the overall deployment cost compared to individual retrofits.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of physically copying the credential reader circuitry into each target device through expensive hardware retrofits, the system creates a virtual copy of the authentication functionality through the proxy node. The proxy node replicates the credential reading and validation processes for multiple targets, providing the same functionality at a fraction of the cost of physical hardware duplication.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing wireless nodes are modified to support multiple credential types, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy node serves as an intermediary that handles the complexity of supporting multiple credential types (RFID, NFC, contactless cards, etc.) separately from the target wireless nodes. The existing nodes simply communicate with the proxy node, which performs the complex credential verification processes. This separation allows the system to support diverse credential types without increasing the circuit complexity of the original devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a number of example embodiments where a proxy node is used in a wireless network to expand the functionality of one or more wireless nodes on the network. The proxy node can include a circuit whose function is made available to an associated wireless node in the wireless network via proxy. The wireless nodes and one or more such proxy nodes can be arranged in a wirelessly connected environment to support a variety of remote management operations, including location tracking, status monitoring, and remote control. In an example embodiment, the wireless nodes can be deployed in a retail store and provide remote management and control over any combination of product display assemblies, locks, power strips, display shelves, display hooks, and other node types.