Communication Gateway for Secure Remote Device Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in determining if devices are connected to a LAN, leading to time-consuming and potentially insecure processes for support centers to diagnose playback issues with AV systems, as they cannot directly access user LANs.
Innovation Solution
A communication device with a processing circuit that acquires and stores device information from connected devices, making it readable via an external network, allowing support centers to access this information without compromising LAN security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the support center directly accesses the user's LAN to obtain device connection information, then the diagnosis efficiency is improved, but the network security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into two distinct parts: the user's internal LAN and the external network where the support center operates. A gateway device is introduced as an intermediary that collects device information from the LAN and makes it accessible to the support center without requiring direct access to the LAN. This segmentation maintains network security while enabling efficient diagnosis.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device serves as an intermediary between the user's LAN and the support center. It collects device information from devices on the LAN and provides this information to the support center through a secure interface. This intermediary approach allows the support center to obtain necessary information without compromising LAN security.
2Loss of information
If the user manually checks each device's connection status using operation units, then the connection information is obtained, but the time required for troubleshooting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device automatically collects device information from devices on the LAN without requiring user intervention. Devices automatically report their connection status and other relevant information to the gateway, which then makes this information available to the support center. This self-service approach eliminates the time-consuming manual checking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device continuously collects and stores device information in advance, so that when troubleshooting is needed, the support center can immediately access pre-collected information. This preliminary collection of data eliminates the need for real-time manual checking during troubleshooting.
3Ease of operation
If tunnel connection means is installed on each device for remote access, then the support center can access devices, but the device complexity and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the remote access functionality into a single gateway device rather than installing tunnel connection means on each individual device. The gateway consolidates the access point for the support center, simplifying the system architecture and reducing the complexity associated with configuring and managing multiple tunnel connections across different devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device includes: a first processing circuit including an acquisition unit that acquires first information via a first network from a first device connected to the first network, the first information being related to the first device; and a storage that stores device information including the acquired first information, the device information being readable from the storage via a second network by a second device connected to the second network, the second network being a network external to the first network.