Remote Network Coordinator for Short-Range Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional short-range network designs, such as personal area networks (PANs), require multiple coordinators for coverage, leading to increased complexity, power consumption, points of failure, and costs due to the need for separate computing devices at each coordinator, which limits effective network coordination and communication between PANs.
Innovation Solution
A processing system that extends network coordination by instantiating multiple network coordinators and short-range networks, allowing a single computing device to manage and communicate with remote devices via a universal serial bus (USB) over Ethernet, enabling unified configuration and management of multiple PANs without the need for collocated computing equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple PAN coordinators are deployed to provide sufficient network coverage across a large site, then network coverage is improved, but device complexity and implementation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple PAN coordinator functions into a single remote device. The remote device instantiates multiple network coordinators that can coordinate multiple short-range networks, eliminating the need for separate computing devices at each coordinator location. This merging approach maintains extensive network coverage while reducing the number of deployed computing devices from multiple to one.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a regular network device and a PAN coordinator. It can instantiate multiple network coordinators to manage multiple short-range networks simultaneously, making a single device perform the work of multiple traditional coordinators. This universal approach reduces device complexity while maintaining comprehensive network coverage.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple PAN coordinators are deployed, then network coverage is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates the power consumption of multiple coordinator devices into a single remote device. By instantiating multiple network coordinators within one device rather than running separate coordinator processes on multiple devices, the system reduces total power consumption while maintaining the same network coverage area.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple PAN coordinators are deployed, then network coverage is improved, but the number of points of failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces points of failure by consolidating multiple coordinator functions into a single remote device. Instead of having multiple independent coordinator devices that could each fail, the system uses one robust remote device that manages all coordinator functions, thereby reducing the number of potential failure points while maintaining comprehensive network coverage.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple PAN coordinators are deployed, then network coverage is improved, but implementation and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies implementation and maintenance by consolidating multiple coordinator management tasks into a single remote device. Administrators only need to configure and maintain one device instead of multiple coordinators, reducing implementation complexity and easing ongoing maintenance while achieving comprehensive network coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote device acts as an intermediary between the network devices and the coordinators. It provides a unified interface for managing multiple short-range networks, simplifying the complexity of coordinating multiple PANs through a single point of control rather than requiring direct management of each individual coordinator.
5Area of stationary object
If multiple PAN coordinators are deployed, then network coverage is improved, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the quantity of deployed computing equipment by merging multiple coordinator functions into a single remote device. Instead of purchasing and deploying separate computing devices for each coordinator, the system uses one remote device that can instantiate and manage multiple network coordinators, thereby reducing hardware costs while maintaining comprehensive network coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for extending a personal area network, including: instantiating a plurality of network coordinators; instantiating a plurality of short-range networks (SRNs), each SRN of the plurality of SRNs being associated with a unique network coordinator of the plurality network coordinators; associating a remote device with a first SRN of the plurality of SRNs; transmitting data to the remote device via a communication adapter and the first SRN; and receiving data from the remote device via the communication adapter and the first SRN.