Module-Based Device Interaction System Bypassing ISP Restrictions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Web-based device control and monitoring systems are complex and inaccessible to average users due to requirements of extensive technical knowledge, industrial equipment costs, and issues with dynamic IP addresses and ISP restrictions, making it impractical for small entities to control or monitor devices over the Internet.

Innovation Solution

A module-based system that includes a hardware module interfacing with devices and a module server, allowing data transmission and receipt, enabling users to control or monitor devices via an API without needing to host a server or configure local networks, using a hardware module that connects to a module server via any network, including the Internet, and functions as a client to bypass ISP restrictions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If industrial equipment is used for Web-based device control, then device control capability is improved, but cost and power requirements become prohibitive for small entities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice control capabilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive industrial equipment with inexpensive, commercially available microcontrollers and development boards that can be easily obtained and replaced. These low-cost components perform the same device control functions without requiring costly industrial-grade hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses software-based virtualization and emulation to replicate industrial control functionality on generic, low-cost hardware platforms. By copying the essential control logic and interface behaviors into software, the system achieves industrial-grade control capabilities on consumer-grade equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If a server is hosted on dynamic IP address, then Internet accessibility is improved, but connection stability deteriorates due to IP address changes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveInternet accessibilityVSAvoidconnection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a relay server as an intermediary between the microcontroller and external clients. The relay server maintains a stable connection to the microcontroller via local network protocols while providing stable URL-based access to clients, decoupling the dynamic local IP from the stable external access point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates the connection management into two independent segments: a stable local connection between the microcontroller and relay server, and a stable web-based connection between the relay server and clients. This segmentation isolates the dynamic IP issue to the local segment while maintaining stability in the external access segment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If server hosting is implemented, then device control functionality is improved, but network configuration complexity increases for average users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice control functionalityVSAvoidnetwork configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The relay server automatically performs network discovery, connection establishment, and port forwarding configuration without requiring user intervention. The system self-configures the communication pathways between the microcontroller, relay server, and external clients, eliminating the need for users to manually configure router ports or network parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The relay server acts as a network intermediary that abstracts away complex networking tasks from the user. It handles connection remapping, protocol translation, and security configuration automatically, allowing average users to deploy device control functionality without networking expertise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If ISP restrictions are in place, then network security is improved, but server-based architecture accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidarchitecture accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the microcontroller host a server that actively listens for incoming connections (which blocks are designed to prevent), the system inverts the architecture: the relay server initiates outbound connections to the microcontroller, and the microcontroller responds to requests. This inversion bypasses ISP blocking mechanisms that target inbound server connections while maintaining secure communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS9497272B1Module-based device interaction system

Publication Date: 2016.11.15 IOBRIDGE

AI summary

A system that enables a person to monitor and/or control a device via a network, such as the Internet, via an interactive hardware module that interfaces with the device and communicates with a module server located locally or remotely from the placement of the module. The hardware module allows for the transmission and receipt of data between the device interfaced to the hardware module and the module server, thereby enabling the user manually or automatically to control or monitor the device via an access medium, such as an API.