Retail Edge Server Sales Data Batching to Reduce Communication Delays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems between edge servers and edge devices in retail environments experience delays and errors due to increased transmission and reception of information, particularly when accessing cloud servers for product data.

Innovation Solution

The edge server acquires and accumulates product sales information locally, reducing the frequency of communication with the cloud server by transmitting this data at predetermined times, thereby minimizing network traffic and delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the edge server frequently transmits and receives information with the cloud server and edge devices, then the communication data volume increases, but communication delay occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication data volumeVSAvoidcommunication delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The edge server performs preliminary actions by acquiring product sales information from edge devices and storing it locally in its storage unit before cloud server communication is needed. This preliminary data accumulation enables the edge server to process and respond to cloud server requests without immediate real-time communication delays, as the data is already prepared and available in local storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The edge server acts as an intermediary between edge devices and the cloud server. It receives product sales information from multiple edge devices, stores it locally, and then transmits aggregated data to the cloud server at predetermined timing. This intermediary role reduces the direct communication burden between edge devices and the cloud server, minimizing communication delays in the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the edge server communicates with multiple edge devices and cloud server, then the information processing capability increases, but network load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation processing capabilityVSAvoidnetwork load
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The edge server merges communication operations by accumulating product sales information from multiple edge devices and transmitting aggregated data to the cloud server in batches at predetermined timing. This combining of multiple small communications into fewer larger communications maintains the information processing capability while significantly reducing overall network load and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The edge server implements periodic action by transmitting accumulated product sales information to the cloud server at predetermined timing intervals rather than continuously or in real-time. This periodic communication pattern maintains necessary information processing capabilities while reducing network load during off- transmission periods, optimizing the balance between productivity and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4715717A1Information processing device and information processing program
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 TOSHIBA TEC KK
  • EP4715717A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4715717A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4715717A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing device according to an embodiment includes acquisition means, storage means, and transmission means, in which the information processing device is communicably connected to a higher level external device, communicates with a plurality of devices provided in a store in which the information processing device is installed, and performs information processing for the store on the basis of information transmitted from each of the devices. The acquisition means acquires product sales information indicating a product for which payment has been made on the device. The storage means stores the product sales information acquired by the acquisition means, in a storage unit. The transmission means transmits the product sales information stored in the storage unit to the external device at predetermined timing.