Real-Time Dataflow Tools for Low-Latency Edge Analytics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing enterprise software systems face challenges in handling large volumes of data generated by industrial machines due to connectivity issues, high latency, and cost-prohibitive bandwidth, which hinder real-time decision-making and predictive maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A dataflow programming language with accompanying tools for edge computing, enabling real-time data analysis and pattern-driven intelligence at the source of IoT data, using a graphical user interface for program development, and a software development kit for edge app creation, along with a cloud-based management console for deployment and analytics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If data is sent to cloud storage for processing, then centralized computing power and storage are utilized, but bandwidth requirements increase, latency increases, and connectivity dependencies arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputing powerVSAvoidbandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized cloud computing architecture into distributed edge computing nodes deployed at multiple locations closer to data sources. This segmentation allows computing power to be distributed rather than concentrated in remote data centers, reducing the bandwidth and energy required to transmit data across long distances while maintaining access to computational resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces edge computing devices as intermediary systems between data sources and cloud storage. These intermediaries perform local data processing and filtering, reducing the volume of data that needs to be transmitted to the cloud and thereby reducing bandwidth consumption and energy loss while still leveraging centralized cloud resources when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If data is sent to cloud storage for processing, then centralized computing resources are utilized, but latency increases due to distance and network variability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputing resourcesVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized cloud architecture into distributed edge computing nodes positioned geographically closer to data sources and end users. This segmentation reduces the physical distance data must travel, thereby reducing network latency and variability while still providing access to computing resources through the distributed network of edge nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary data processing and filtering at edge computing nodes before data is transmitted to cloud storage. This preliminary action reduces the volume of data requiring long-distance transmission and enables faster initial processing, thereby reducing overall latency while still utilizing centralized cloud resources for more complex computations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If all sensor data is transmitted to cloud storage, then complete data availability is achieved, but bandwidth costs become prohibitive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidbandwidth cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and processes data locally at edge computing nodes, filtering and preprocessing data before transmission to cloud storage. This extraction of essential information at the source reduces the volume of data requiring expensive bandwidth for transmission while maintaining availability of critical information through local processing and selective cloud storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial data transmission to the cloud, sending only processed, filtered, or aggregated data rather than all raw sensor data. This partial action approach maintains sufficient data availability for cloud-based analysis while dramatically reducing bandwidth consumption and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Loss of time

If edge computing is implemented, then real-time data processing and reduced latency are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements standardized edge computing devices with multi-functional capabilities that can perform various data processing tasks locally. These universal devices reduce the need for specialized hardware at each location, managing device complexity through standardization while still enabling real-time processing through distributed intelligence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3433711B1Tools and methods for real-time dataflow programming language
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH
  • EP3433711B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3433711B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3433711B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A dataflow programming language can be used to express reactive dataflow programs that can be used in pattern-driven real-time data analysis. One or more tools are provided for the dataflow programming language for checking syntactic and semantic correctness, checking logical correctness, debugging, translation of source code into a secure, portable format (e.g., packaged code), translation of source code (or packaged code) into platform-specific code, batch-mode interpretation, interactive interpretation, simulation and visualization of the dataflow environment, remote execution, monitoring, or any combination of these. These tools embody a method of developing, debugging, and deploying a dataflow graph device.