Sensor Network Matching Apparatus for Dynamic Data Provisioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor network systems cannot provide sensing data that meets user needs if the necessary sensors are not already installed, and the installation of such sensors is time and cost-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A matching apparatus that acquires provider-side and user-side metadata to determine if nearby terminals can provide the required sensing data based on their current position and movement schedule, allowing for efficient request and provision of data without unnecessary communication or sensor installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If provider-side sensors are pre-installed to provide sensing data that satisfies user needs, then sensing data availability is improved, but installation cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing data availabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost and time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary matching between user-side metadata (sensing data requirements) and provider-side metadata (terminal capabilities and current position) before requesting sensing data. This allows the system to identify suitable terminals in advance that can provide the required data, eliminating the need for pre-installed sensors while ensuring data availability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The matching apparatus acts as an intermediary between users and sensing data providers. It acquires and stores metadata from both sides, performs matching to identify suitable providers, and facilitates the sensing data provision process. This intermediary function enables dynamic data provision without requiring direct pre-established connections or pre-installed sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If sensing data requests are sent to all terminals to ensure data provision, then sensing data availability is improved, but communication load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing data provision assuranceVSAvoidcommunication load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and stores essential metadata from terminals (device type, sensing data provision capability, current position) without requiring full terminal participation. This extracted metadata enables the matching apparatus to pre-filter suitable providers, so that sensing data requests are sent only to matched terminals rather than all terminals, reducing communication load while ensuring data availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The matching apparatus performs preliminary matching operations using stored metadata before initiating sensing data requests. By pre-identifying suitable providers based on capability and position criteria, the system avoids sending requests to unsuitable terminals, thereby reducing unnecessary communication overhead while maintaining reliable data provision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If metadata is continuously updated and matched to find suitable providers, then sensing data matching accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematching accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and stores only the essential metadata elements needed for matching (device type, sensing capability, current position) rather than continuously processing complete terminal information. This selective extraction maintains matching accuracy by focusing on critical parameters while reducing processing time by eliminating unnecessary data handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The matching apparatus performs partial matching based on essential criteria (capability and position) rather than exhaustive comparison of all terminal attributes. This partial matching approach achieves sufficient accuracy for identifying suitable providers while significantly reducing processing time compared to comprehensive analysis of all metadata.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3550813B1Matching device, terminal, sensor network system, matching method, and matching program
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 OMRON CORP
  • EP3550813B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3550813B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3550813B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A provider-side metadata acquisition part (11a) acquires provider-side metadata regarding a sensing data providing terminal (2). The provider-side metadata includes a current position of the sensing data providing terminal (2). Also, the user-side metadata acquisition part (11b) acquires user-side metadata regarding sensing data using terminal (3). A matching part performs matching with the user-side metadata, using the current position of the sensing data providing terminal (2) included in the provider-side metadata and the current time, and decides whether to request the sensing data providing terminal (2) to provide the sensing data. A request part (11d) requires the sensing data providing terminal (2) to provide the sensing data in accordance with the decision by the matching part (11c).