Cross-LAN Communication via Instant-Share Addressing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for IP multicasting across different local area networks (LANs) are challenging due to the use of dynamic IP addresses, and conventional solutions require a centralized application server or cloud connectivity, which are not feasible when devices are disconnected from the Internet.
Innovation Solution
The method assigns an Instant-share (InS) address to computing devices, allowing them to communicate directly across LANs without static IP addresses, using a dedicated router and Transport-layer Protocol (TLP) datagrams to facilitate unicast and multicast communications, and enables group member synchronization without Internet connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If IP multicasting is implemented across different LANs using dynamic IP addresses, then device mobility and ease of network management are improved, but communication reliability and routing accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud server as an intermediary that stores and manages the mapping relationships between device identifiers and dynamic IP addresses. This mediator enables reliable cross-LAN communication by providing a centralized repository for address resolution, allowing devices to reliably locate each other despite using dynamic IP addresses and being distributed across different LANs.
2Reliability
If static IP addresses are assigned to computing devices for cross-LAN communication, then communication stability and routing accuracy are improved, but IP address scarcity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables devices to automatically obtain their dynamic IP addresses from their respective LANs without manual configuration. The system self-manages the complexity of address allocation and mapping by using automated processes for registering device identifiers with the cloud server and resolving addresses during communication, eliminating the need for manual static IP assignment while maintaining communication stability.
3Measurement precision
If a centralized application server is used for group member contact synchronization, then contact synchronization accuracy is improved, but system dependency and operational flexibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having devices proactively push contact information updates to the cloud server when joining or leaving the communication group, rather than waiting for periodic polling or manual synchronization requests. This advance notification mechanism ensures the cloud server maintains up-to-date contact information, enabling accurate and timely synchronization without requiring continuous active management.
4Measurement precision
If cloud server dependency is required for group member contact synchronization, then contact information accuracy is improved, but system reliability when disconnected from Internet deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by storing contact information locally on each device in addition to maintaining it on the cloud server. This redundant local storage acts as a buffer that allows devices to continue synchronizing contact information using cached data when disconnected from the Internet, while still maintaining accurate contact information through periodic updates when connectivity is restored.
Data Source
AI summary
Multicast and unicast communication among computing devices across different local area networks (LANs) and without static IP addresses is supported by assigning an instant-share (InS) address to an individual computing device. The InS address is recognizable by a dedicated router located in the Internet and enables the dedicated router to communicate with the individual computing device. The individual computing device embeds an InS address of a destination computing device in a data message to form an extended data message, and sends the extended data message to the dedicated router. The dedicated router then forwards the extended data message to the destination computing device. A group member contact synchronization among different computing devices in a group without Internet connectivity is also supported. Local lists of group members from different computing devices are collected. The most-recent one is used to update the local list of group members of a computing device.