IP Address Delivery via Path Information and MAC Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

In networks with fixed apparatus configurations, automatically reassigning the same IP address to a replaced terminal apparatus is challenging, as existing methods do not facilitate automatic IP address delivery without human intervention.

Innovation Solution

An IP address delivery system that includes an IP address delivery apparatus connected to a switch unit with a path-information granting unit, which reads and stores path information from IP address request signals and uses an IP address correspondence table to determine and deliver the correct IP address to the requesting terminal apparatus, ensuring continuity of IP addresses during terminal replacements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual IP address assignment is performed during terminal apparatus replacement, then IP address continuity can be maintained, but operational convenience deteriorates due to requiring human intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational convenienceVSAvoidautomatic IP address delivery
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal apparatus automatically requests and receives its IP address without human intervention. The system enables self-service by having the terminal apparatus autonomously perform IP address acquisition through the path information and MAC address matching mechanism, eliminating the need for manual IP address assignment while maintaining continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the terminal apparatus's IP address request to automatically determine and assign the appropriate IP address. The IP address delivery apparatus receives the request, matches the path information and MAC address against stored records, and automatically delivers the correct IP address, creating a closed-loop feedback system that replaces manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If automatic IP address reassignment is implemented during terminal replacement, then operational convenience improves, but system complexity increases due to requiring path information tracking and MAC address matching mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational convenienceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing path information and MAC address associations in advance before terminal replacement occurs. The IP address delivery apparatus maintains a record of which IP addresses were assigned to which MAC addresses on which paths, enabling automatic recovery of the same IP address when the same terminal (identified by MAC address) is reconnected, without requiring complex real-time analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces path information as an intermediary element that connects the terminal apparatus's MAC address with its assigned IP address. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall system by providing a clear mapping relationship: path information + MAC address → IP address, making the automatic assignment process more manageable and less complex than direct terminal-to-IP matching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If IP addresses are fixed to terminal apparatuses in a fixed network configuration, then network stability is maintained, but adaptability deteriorates when network reconfiguration or terminal replacement occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to terminal replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by making the IP address assignment adaptable to changes while maintaining stability for unchanged configurations. When a terminal is replaced or reconnected, the system dynamically detects the change through path information and MAC address matching, and automatically reassigns the appropriate IP address. This dynamic approach allows the network to adapt to terminal replacements while maintaining stable IP addressing for persistent connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters (path information, MAC address, IP address associations) based on network conditions and terminal status. By monitoring and responding to changes in path information and terminal identification (MAC address), the system automatically adjusts IP address assignments to maintain both stability for existing connections and adaptability for replaced terminals, resolving the contradiction between fixed and flexible addressing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2515483B2IP address delivery system and IP address delivery method
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2515483B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2515483B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2515483B2 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention provides an IP address delivery system comprising: an IP address delivery apparatus including a path-information reading unit configured to read, from an IP address request signal, path information of a communication network extending to a request source of an IP address, an IP address correspondence table in which a correspondence relation between the path information and the IP address is registered, and an IP-address determining unit configured to determine, based on the path information obtained from the path-information reading unit and the IP address correspondence table, an IP address delivered to the request source; and a path-information granting unit configured to grant the path information to the IP address request signal.