Semantic IoT Device Matching for Automatic Task Execution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current IoT technologies do not provide a method to determine if an electronic device is suitable for performing a task or to select a suitable device without user intervention, assuming a pre-existing connection between devices.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves an electronic device that uses semantic information-based task and product ontologies to select a suitable device for a task by comparing device capabilities with required functions, allowing automatic selection and task execution without user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If IoT technologies assume pre-existing device connections, then device communication is simplified, but the system cannot automatically determine device suitability or select appropriate devices for tasks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice communicationVSAvoiddevice selection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining task ontologies and device ontologies with semantic information before actual task execution. This allows the system to automatically match devices to tasks based on pre-established semantic relationships, eliminating the need for user intervention in device selection while maintaining simplified communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary matching mechanism that uses semantic information from task ontologies and device ontologies to bridge the gap between simple device connections and intelligent device selection. This intermediary layer automatically determines device suitability by comparing semantic attributes without complicating the underlying communication infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the system requires user intervention for device selection, then device compatibility can be verified, but task execution efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidtask execution efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by enabling automatic device selection through ontology-based matching. The task execution module autonomously queries device information, compares semantic attributes against task requirements, and selects appropriate devices without user intervention. This maintains reliability through systematic compatibility verification while dramatically improving task execution efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the task execution module continuously queries device information and ontology databases to verify compatibility during automatic device selection. This feedback loop ensures reliable device matching while maintaining automated operation, as the system adjusts its selections based on real-time device availability and capability information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If semantic information-based ontologies are implemented, then automatic device selection is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice selectionVSAvoidontology structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the ontology system into distinct, manageable components: task ontologies that define task requirements and device ontologies that define device capabilities. Each ontology is further divided into structured attributes and semantic relationships. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by allowing independent development, maintenance, and querying of separate ontology modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ontology structure is designed with universal, standardized attributes and relationships that can be applied across different device types and task scenarios. This multi-functional ontology framework reduces complexity by providing a unified approach to device-task matching rather than requiring custom matching logic for each device type, enabling automatic device selection through consistent semantic comparison rules.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3654118B1Electronic device and method for controlling the same
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3654118B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP3654118B1 patent drawingFigure 2b
  • EP3654118B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for operating an electronic device is provided. The method includes identifying a task among a plurality of tasks configured in a semantic information-based task ontology; identifying functions for each piece of device information corresponding to the identified task based on the semantic information-based task ontology; and identifying functions corresponding to a plurality of devices based on a semantic information-based product information ontology. The method then includes comparing the functions corresponding to the plurality of devices with the functions for each piece of device information based on semantic information; identifying one or more devices to perform the identified task from among the plurality of devices based on the comparing; and displaying, on a touch screen display of the electronic device, information on the identified task and information on the identified one or more devices.