Home Network Tunneling via Mobile Gateway Address Forwarding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting client devices to home area networks via mobile communication networks require significant operational effort and do not provide a seamless user experience, especially when direct connectivity is not possible.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes a mobile communication network to establish a tunnel between a client device and a residential gateway, splitting traffic destined for the home area network from Internet traffic, and employing a forwarding function to replace private addresses with public addresses, ensuring secure and efficient connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a fixed infrastructure (xDSL, cable modem, fiber optics) is deployed to provide broadband access, then high data transmission rates and permanent connectivity are achieved, but deployment cost and infrastructure complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile communication network as an intermediary layer between users and the home area network. Mobile network base stations act as mediators that relay data traffic between mobile devices and the HAN, enabling broadband access without requiring fixed infrastructure deployment in each location. This resolves the contradiction by providing high-speed access through an intermediate mobile network layer rather than direct fixed line installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables mobile communication networks to serve dual purposes: traditional mobile voice/data services and fixed broadband access to home networks. The mobile network infrastructure is utilized for multiple functions including cellular communication and wired home network access, eliminating the need for separate dedicated fixed infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high data transmission capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If mobile communication is used for data transmission, then mobility and ease of connection are improved, but data transmission rate and network reliability deteriorate due to signal instability
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device serves as a stable intermediary anchor point within the home network that maintains permanent connectivity. While mobile devices can move freely, the gateway provides a reliable fixed connection point that mediates between the mobile device and the home area network, ensuring signal stability and network reliability even as devices move throughout the coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes permanent connection parameters and network configuration in advance during initial setup. The gateway device pre-configures network settings, authentication credentials, and connection parameters before mobile devices need to connect. This preliminary configuration ensures reliable and stable communication without requiring repeated negotiation or reconfiguration as devices move, maintaining both mobility and signal stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a permanent connection is established for home network access, then network stability and data security are improved, but adaptability to mobile users and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic connection management where the system adapts between stable fixed connections and flexible mobile connections based on user needs. The gateway maintains permanent stable connections for fixed devices while simultaneously supporting dynamic mobile device connections that can be established and terminated flexibly. This dynamic approach allows the network to maintain stability for core infrastructure while providing adaptability for mobile users.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device provides universal access capabilities supporting both fixed and mobile connection types through a single unified interface. It handles diverse connection scenarios including wired connections for stationary devices and wireless connections for mobile devices, maintaining network stability while accommodating various user mobility requirements. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate systems for fixed and mobile access.
4Area of stationary object
If infrastructure is deployed to cover a large area, then service coverage is improved, but deployment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges mobile network infrastructure with home network access infrastructure into a unified system. By combining the mobile communication network's existing wide-area coverage capability with home network gateway functionality, the system achieves broad service coverage without requiring separate fixed infrastructure deployment in each location. This consolidation reduces deployment complexity while maintaining extensive geographic coverage through the mobile network's existing cell tower infrastructure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The system of the invention is configured to receive from a client device (41) located in the mobile communication network (1) a request to connect to a home area network (5), determine an identifier of a residential gateway (61) in the home area network or of a fixed-line network (3) to which the home area network is coupled, and transmit a request for an address and a range of addresses in the home area network to the residential gateway or the fixed-line network corresponding to the determined identifier. The system is further configured to receive the address and the range of addresses from the residential gateway or the fixed-line network, transmit the address to the client device, establish a tunnel with the residential gateway and establish a forwarding rule at a forwarding function (15) of the mobile communication network.