Gateway Module for Routing Legacy Device Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-network enabled devices cannot share data over a network, creating complications in user interaction and limiting the functionality of devices like scanners and printers that are not IP-enabled, as they cannot be easily upgraded to communicate via standards like Web Services for Devices (WSD) due to cost and feasibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables routing of data on a network by using a device sharing enabler module, which includes a device identifier and a network enabled device emulator to convert communication protocols and automatically identify a routing destination, allowing non-network enabled devices to be shared and function as if they were network enabled through a local computer system acting as a communication interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-network enabled devices are used, then device cost and complexity are reduced, but the ability to share data over a network is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between non-network enabled devices and the network. The gateway translates communication protocols and enables data routing, allowing legacy devices to share network resources without requiring network capability in the devices themselves. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining device simplicity while adding network access through an external mediator.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device performs multiple functions: it acts as a communication interface, protocol translator, and data router simultaneously. By consolidating these functions in a single universal device, the system enables network sharing for multiple different non-network enabled devices without requiring individual network capabilities in each device, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Device complexity
If non-network enabled devices are locally coupled to a single computer system, then device connectivity is simplified, but the ability to access data from remote computer systems is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a mediator that receives data from the locally coupled non-network enabled device and routes it to remote computer systems over the network. This intermediary approach maintains the simple local connectivity configuration while enabling remote access through the gateway's routing capability, resolving the contradiction between connectivity simplicity and remote accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If data is routed through a local computer system, then network communication is enabled for non-network enabled devices, but data security risks increase due to local data storage
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables data routing without requiring the local computer system to store copies of the data. The gateway creates temporary data representations for transmission only, eliminating persistent local storage and associated security risks while maintaining network communication capability. This resolves the contradiction by allowing network access without the harmful effect of data duplication.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for enabling routing of data on a network based on a portion of data accessed from a non-network enabled device is disclosed. The technology includes a method for enabling routing of data on a network based on a portion of data accessed from a non-network enabled device. The method includes detecting a non-network enabled device locally coupled to a first computer system, the first computer system coupled to the network. The method further includes enabling routing of data through the non-network enabled device to a second computer system coupled to the network by using the first computer system as a communication interface between the non-network enabled device and the second computer system wherein the second computer system is automatically identified based on recognizing a portion of the data as a routing destination.