Local Network Proxy for Mobile UPnP Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for remotely accessing a UPnP home network are either not purely UPnP or require modifications to UPnP applications, and they lack adequate security measures to protect against external access threats, especially when using mobile devices with limited bandwidth and power constraints.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that establish a secure data connection between a mobile device and a local area network via a public network, using a proxy to simulate a reduced power mode and maintain state variables, allowing the mobile device to appear connected without continuous multicast traffic, and employing a VPN for secure access, without requiring changes to the UPnP protocol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mobile device directly joins a UPnP local network, then network presence and service discovery are achieved, but bandwidth consumption and power usage increase due to continuous multicast traffic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork presenceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A network proxy is introduced as an intermediary between the mobile device and the UPnP local network. The proxy maintains the device's network presence by handling multicast traffic locally, allowing the mobile device to remain in low-power mode while still being accessible to the network through the proxy's representation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates the functions of network presence maintenance and actual device operation. The proxy handles continuous network participation and multicast traffic on the local network side, while the mobile device can independently enter low-power states, dividing the responsibilities between two components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a mobile device maintains continuous network connection for remote access, then accessibility is improved, but bandwidth usage increases due to constant data transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote accessibilityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The network proxy acts as a mediator that maintains the persistent network connection and handles bandwidth-intensive operations locally. The mobile device only needs to communicate with the proxy when actual data transmission is needed, reducing overall bandwidth consumption while maintaining accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The proxy performs preliminary network presence establishment and maintenance before the mobile device needs to actively communicate. By pre-configuring the network representation and handling initial connection setup, the system reduces the bandwidth and power requirements when the device actually needs to access or be accessed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If standard access protection mechanisms are used for home network security, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but security against intrusion threats is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity implementation complexityVSAvoidsecurity protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network proxy serves as a security intermediary between the mobile device and the UPnP network. It implements VPN-based encryption and authentication, providing strong security protection without requiring the mobile device itself to have complex security mechanisms. The proxy handles security-sensitive operations centrally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If VPN is used for secure remote access to UPnP network, then security protection is improved, but device compatibility and ease of operation may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity protectionVSAvoiddevice compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The network proxy implements VPN functionality as an intermediary, providing secure encrypted communication channels without requiring the mobile device to have native VPN client capabilities. The proxy handles VPN protocol implementation, authentication, and encryption/decryption operations, making security transparent to the end user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7809386B2Local network proxy for a remotely connected mobile device operating in reduced power mode

Publication Date: 2010.10.05 III HOLDINGS 3 LLC

AI summary

A mobile device is coupled to an ad-hoc, peer-to-peer local area network via a public network. A secure data connection is created between the mobile device and an access point of the local area network so that the mobile device operates in an address space of the local network. A proxy for the mobile device is operated on the local network. The proxy maintains one or more state variables related to operation of the mobile device on the local network. The proxy simulates a reduced power mode of the mobile device on the local network for purposes of shaping traffic over the secure data connection and provides the state variables to entities of the local network on behalf of the mobile device.