Replacement Device Integration Using Context and State Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of a replacement device into a cluster of devices is cumbersome and requires significant human intervention, including manual identity management and provisioning, which can lead to errors and prolonged downtime.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that enables a replacement device to automatically request and obtain contextual data from existing devices in the cluster, determine if it meets the context criteria of the replaced device, and update its state data to assume the operational role of the replaced device, reducing the need for human operator intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual identity management and provisioning is performed by human operators, then device replacement can be completed, but the process becomes cumbersome and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration accuracyVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The replacement device automatically performs identity management and provisioning by requesting contextual data structures from existing devices, obtaining contextual data, determining context criteria fulfillment, and updating its own state data without human operator intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares contextual data structures and stores them in external devices or cloud services before the actual replacement occurs, enabling the replacement device to quickly retrieve and process this pre-prepared data during integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual provisioning and configuration is performed, then the replacement device can be integrated into the cluster, but the process time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration completenessVSAvoiddowntime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (physical device replacement and manual configuration) with automated electronic data exchange processes, where contextual data structures and state data are automatically transferred and processed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

External devices or cloud services act as intermediaries that store and manage contextual data structures, facilitating automatic data exchange between the replacement device and the device cluster without requiring direct manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automated contextual data exchange is implemented, then integration speed is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration speedVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contextual data structure serves multiple functions: it contains device identity information, environmental context data, configuration parameters, and state information, allowing a single standardized data structure to handle diverse integration requirements across different device types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12474933B2Method, system, and device for integrating replacement device

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A method for integrating a replacement device in a cluster of devices includes, by the replacement device, requesting a contextual data structure from a first device of the cluster of devices and/or at least one outside device; obtaining based on the received contextual data structure, contextual data indicative of an environmental context of the replacement device; and providing the contextual data to at least one device of the cluster and/or the outside device(s). The at least one device and/or outside device(s) determining whether the contextual data meets a context criterion of a stored contextual data indicative of contextual data of a replaced device. If so, the replacement device receives from one or more of the first device, the at least one device, or the outside device(s), state data indicative of a known state of the replaced device, and updating the replacement device with the state data.