Gateway Protocol Translation for UPnP and Web Device Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network systems lack the ability to perform interactive control between information processing apparatuses using different control methods, such as Web-based discovery and control methods and UPnP discovery and control methods, leading to limitations in device compatibility and user-friendliness.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a browser support unit and a server support unit in information processing apparatuses that convert access information between different control methods, allowing devices compatible with UPnP and Web-based methods to interact and be controlled seamlessly across a network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a network system uses only UPnP discovery and control method, then device compatibility within UPnP ecosystem is improved, but ability to control from Web-based devices is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between UPnP devices and Web-based devices. The gateway translates UPnP control requests into Web browser-compatible commands and vice versa, enabling cross-protocol control without requiring changes to the original devices. This mediator resolves the contradiction by allowing Web browsers to control UPnP devices through protocol translation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device is designed with multi-functionality to support both UPnP discovery and control methods simultaneously. It can operate in multiple modes: translating UPnP commands to Web protocols, translating Web commands to UPnP protocols, and managing device registration across both ecosystems. This universal approach enables the system to maintain UPnP compatibility while adding Web-based control capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If a network system uses only Web based discovery and control method, then ease of use from Web browser is improved, but compatibility with UPnP devices is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as a mediator that receives Web browser requests and translates them into UPnP-compatible commands. It maintains a registration table mapping Web device identifiers to UPnP device identifiers, enabling seamless translation between the two protocols. This allows Web browsers to control UPnP devices without requiring the UPnP devices to have native Web interface capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway creates virtual representations of UPnP devices in the Web protocol space. By copying device information and control interfaces from UPnP protocol to Web protocol format, it enables Web browsers to interact with UPnP devices as if they were native Web devices, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining compatibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If information processing apparatus supports multiple control methods, then adaptability to different devices is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multi-protocol support functionality into a separate gateway device rather than integrating it into each endpoint device. This segmentation isolates the complexity of protocol translation and conversion logic within the gateway, while keeping endpoint devices (both UPnP and Web-based) simple and focused on their native protocols. The gateway handles all the complexity of supporting multiple control methods centrally.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus is used in a network including an information apparatus compatible with the universal-plug-and-play (UPnP) discovery and control method and an information apparatus compatible with the Web based discovery and control method and includes a browser support unit for converting the Web based discovery and control method to the UPnP discovery and control method and a server support unit for converting the UPnP discovery and control method to the Web based discovery and control method. The information apparatus compatible with the UPnP discovery and control method and the information apparatus compatible with the Web based discovery and control method can acquire device information from each other and control the device by each other.