Virtual Device Generation for Sensor Network Discovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

In large-scale sensor and actuator networks, the increasing number of devices leads to difficulties in finding the optimal device to meet user requests, resulting in inefficient resource utilization and decreased convenience, as it is impractical to pre-register all possible combinations of real devices and processing modules.

Innovation Solution

A device information providing system that automatically generates virtual devices by selecting processing modules and devices based on user requests, allowing for the creation of new virtual devices even if the exact matching device is not pre-registered, thereby enhancing resource utilization and user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the number of sensors and devices in the network increases, then the system's resolution and coverage area are improved, but it becomes difficult to find the optimum sensor and device utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidease of finding optimum device
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a device information providing system that acts as an intermediary between users and the large number of physical devices. This system automatically searches for and provides information about suitable devices based on user requirements, eliminating the need for users to manually search through numerous devices. The intermediary system manages the complexity by handling the matching process automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically matching user requirements with appropriate devices without requiring manual intervention. The device information providing system autonomously searches through the network, evaluates device capabilities, and presents suitable options to users, allowing the system to serve itself in managing device discovery and allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If all possible combinations of real devices and processing modules are pre-registered, then complete device matching is achieved, but the system complexity and registration burden become unmanageable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice matching capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic approach where virtual devices are not pre-configured but generated on-demand based on user requirements. The system dynamically creates virtual device configurations by combining real devices and processing modules at runtime, allowing the system to adapt to various requirements without maintaining complex pre-registered combinations. This dynamic generation reduces system complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of device configuration from static pre-registration to dynamic generation. Instead of fixing device combinations in advance, the system adjusts and creates device configurations based on specific user requirements, transforming the system from a static registry to a dynamic configuration engine that generates appropriate virtual devices as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If only pre-registered limited types of virtual devices are used, then system management is simplified, but resource utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem management simplicityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the system from using fixed pre-registered virtual device types to dynamically generating virtual devices based on actual user needs. This parameter change allows the system to maintain simplicity in management while significantly improving resource utilization, as virtual devices are created only when needed and configured specifically for each requirement, eliminating waste from unused pre-registered options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2940601B1Device information providing system and device information providing method
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 OMRON CORP
  • EP2940601B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2940601B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(d)
  • EP2940601B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device information providing system compares an output requirement included in a search request of a user and output requirements of processing modules, thereby extracting, from a processing module DB, a processing module capable of acquiring a desired output result designated by the search request, compares an input requirement of the extractedprocessingmodule and output requirements of devices, thereby extracting, from a device DB, one or a plurality of devices having an output usable as an input to the extracted processing module and generates a virtual device composed of a combination of the extracted one or plurality of devices and the extracted processing module, and provides a user with, as a search result, information concerning the virtual device.