Virtual Device Configuration via Distributed Ledger Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for electronic devices lack flexibility in functionality, making it difficult to upgrade or reuse them, as they often have fixed functionalities and require new devices for additional features or temporary use, which is inefficient and wasteful.

Innovation Solution

The concept of a virtual device is introduced, where a virtual device is defined on demand using a distributed ledger like blockchain, allowing selection and combination of resource devices to provide specific characteristics, enabling flexible configuration, easy upgrading, and resource reuse through smart contracts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electronic devices have fixed functionalities, then device structure is simple and reliable, but flexibility and adaptability are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality flexibilityVSAvoiddevice configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments device functionalities into independent, modular units that can be individually selected and combined. Resource devices are divided into discrete functional components (camera, sensor, processor, etc.) that can be allocated independently to create different virtual device configurations, enabling flexible functionality without increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal resource pool where physical devices can serve multiple purposes through virtualization. A single physical device can be allocated to different virtual devices or users at different times, enabling one device to perform multiple functions and serve diverse application scenarios, thereby improving adaptability without requiring dedicated hardware for each function

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If new devices are purchased for additional features, then functionality is improved, but resource waste and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality expansionVSAvoidresource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a resource allocation system where unused or underutilized device capabilities are recovered and made available for other uses. When a physical device is not fully utilized, its remaining capacity is allocated to other virtual devices or users, preventing resource waste and eliminating the need to purchase additional hardware for underutilized functionalities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple physical devices into unified virtual devices by combining their resources. Instead of purchasing separate devices for each function, the system combines available resources from multiple physical devices to create virtual devices with composite functionalities, reducing the need for additional hardware purchases and minimizing resource waste

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If physical devices are allocated directly, then resource management is simple, but flexibility and reuse capability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice reuse flexibilityVSAvoidresource management system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a blockchain-based intermediary layer that manages resource allocation between physical devices and users. This intermediary system automatically handles device allocation, tracking, and management through smart contracts, providing flexibility and reuse capability while keeping the management system decentralized and relatively simple through automated consensus mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3355225B1Apparatus and method for providing a ethereum virtual device
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3355225B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3355225B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3355225B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An apparatus for providing a virtual device has a circuitry. The circuitry searches for resource devices providing characteristics of a set of characteristics of the virtual device in a distributed ledger. The distributed ledger includes information about multiple resource devices. The circuitry provides the virtual device by selecting resource devices providing characteristics of the set of characteristics of the virtual device.