Router Message Handler Scalable Receipts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for remotely controlling utility devices over networks face challenges with low capacity and slow throughput, making them unsuitable for 'demand response' solutions and inefficient in targeting and determining the success of controlling multiple remote nodes.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method for routing instructions in a network that includes a communication interface and a message processing module to manage receipts from message handlers, using receipt generation optimizers to control traffic and ensure efficient communication, allowing for scalable and stable transmission of control messages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a single transmission system with regional transmitters is used for broadcasting control messages, then network coverage is achieved, but message transmission speed and capacity are reduced to 1-2 minutes per message

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage transmission speedVSAvoidtransmission system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control message transmission by introducing intermediate message handlers that receive, process, and forward messages to multiple target nodes. This segmentation allows parallel message distribution across multiple paths, reducing overall transmission time from 1-2 minutes to near-real-time while maintaining broad network coverage through the distributed handler architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces message handlers as intermediary components between the central router and target nodes. These handlers receive control messages from the router, manage local message queues, and distribute messages to multiple nodes simultaneously. This intermediary layer enables faster message propagation while reducing the complexity burden on the central transmission system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If all message handlers send receipts for every control message, then complete feedback is achieved, but network traffic spikes and instability occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback completenessVSAvoidnetwork traffic stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial feedback by having message handlers send receipts selectively rather than for every control message. The router determines whether to request feedback based on message importance, and handlers send receipts only when explicitly requested or when configured to do so for specific message types. This partial action maintains essential feedback loops while preventing traffic spikes that would occur with universal receipt transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the feedback parameter from binary (send/receive all receipts) to a configurable scale. The router can set feedback request probability or threshold parameters, allowing dynamic adjustment of feedback volume based on network conditions, message priority, and handler capacity. This parameter change enables the system to maintain feedback completeness for critical messages while reducing overall traffic load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the broadcast network is multiplexed over low frequency radio transmission, then wide area coverage is achieved, but message capacity and throughput are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage capacityVSAvoidnetwork coverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the message routing function across multiple message handlers distributed throughout the network coverage area. Each handler manages a subset of target nodes and can process messages independently. This segmentation allows the system to handle larger volumes of control messages by distributing the processing load, effectively increasing message capacity without requiring higher bandwidth on the underlying radio transmission infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a spatial dimension to message handling by distributing message handlers across multiple geographic locations within the coverage area. Instead of a single centralized bottleneck, messages can be routed through multiple handlers simultaneously, effectively increasing throughput by utilizing the spatial distribution of handlers rather than relying solely on increasing radio transmission capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the system targets multiple remote nodes simultaneously, then comprehensive control capability is achieved, but the ability to determine success and target specific nodes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol targeting capabilityVSAvoidcontrol success determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where message handlers send receipts to the router confirming successful receipt and execution of control messages. The router tracks which handlers have acknowledged which messages, enabling precise determination of control success for each target node. This feedback loop provides the measurement precision needed to verify individual node control while maintaining the ability to target multiple nodes simultaneously through the distributed handler architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3375148B1Router and message handler for providing scalable receipts of control messages
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 VODAFONE IP LICENSING LTD
  • EP3375148B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3375148B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3375148B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

Apparatus in a network for routing instructions for remotely controlling a plurality of nodes in the network is provided comprising a communication interface for receiving a request comprising instructions for controlling a plurality of nodes, for communicating with one or more network capabilities for sending messages to one or more message handlers for controlling the plurality of nodes, and for receiving receipts from the one or more message handlers; and a message processing module configured to generate one or more messages for the instructions with at least one receipt generation optimiser parameter for managing traffic generated by transmission of receipts, acknowledging receipt of the instructions, from the one or more message handlers, and cause the one or more messages to be transmitted to the one or more network capabilities via the communication interface.