Shared Virtual IP Routing for Industrial Tool Controller Groups

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Solution Overview

Problem

Connecting a large group of industrial tools to a plurality of controllers requires a significant amount of network resources due to the need for assigning individual IP addresses to each tool and controller.

Innovation Solution

A network device assigns a single virtual IP address to be shared among the industrial tools and controllers, using unique identifiers to route data between them, eliminating the need for multiple static IP addresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individual IP addresses are assigned to each tool and controller, then each device can be uniquely addressed and communicated with, but network resources are consumed excessively due to the large number of required IP addresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice addressabilityVSAvoidnetwork resources (IP addresses)

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual IP address assignments into a single shared virtual IP address that is collectively assigned to a group of tools and controllers. This consolidation reduces the total number of IP addresses required from hundreds (one per device) to just one (shared by the group), thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining device addressability and conserving network resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual IP address serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the communication address for the entire group of tools and controllers, enabling a single IP address to perform the addressing function that previously required hundreds of individual addresses. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain full communication capability while dramatically reducing network resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If a single virtual IP address is shared among multiple tools and controllers, then network resources are conserved, but routing data to the correct individual device becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork resources (IP addresses)VSAvoiddata routing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the routing process into two distinct stages: first, routing data to the shared virtual IP address at the network level; second, routing data to the specific individual device at the application level using device-specific identifiers. This segmentation resolves the routing complexity by separating network-layer addressing from device-level addressing, allowing each layer to operate independently and efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shared virtual IP address acts as an intermediary between the network infrastructure and individual devices. Data packets are first routed to this intermediary address, which then mediates the distribution of data to the appropriate individual device based on device identifiers. This intermediary approach simplifies network routing while maintaining precise device delivery capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12445525B2Connecting a group of industrial tools to a plurality of controllers using shared single virtual IP address and identifiers

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 ATLAS COPCO IND TECHNIQUE AB INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT

AI summary

The invention relates to a method of a network device of connecting a group of industrial tools to a plurality of controllers, and a network device performing the method. In an aspect, a method of a network device of connecting a group of industrial tools to a plurality of controllers. The method comprises assigning a single virtual IP address to be shared among the industrial tools in the group, assigning the single virtual IP address to be shared among the plurality of controllers and routing data between the industrial tools and the controllers via the assigned single virtual IP address.