Multicast Control Unit IP Address Grouping for Network Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
In IP network communication, devices with limited resources such as printers and scanners struggle to process multiple multicast packets simultaneously transmitted by communication apparatuses, leading to packet loss and increased network traffic.
Innovation Solution
A network communication apparatus with a communication interface unit and a multicast control unit that groups multiple IP addresses based on predetermined criteria, sequentially transmitting multicast packets using one IP address per group to restrict the number of simultaneous packets and alleviate network traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple multicast packets are simultaneously transmitted using each allocated IP address as a transmission source, then the communication apparatus can utilize all its IP addresses for search operations, but peripheral devices with limited resources cannot process the incoming packets and may lose portions of them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the set of IP addresses into multiple groups, and transmits multicast packets from each group sequentially rather than simultaneously. This segmentation of the transmission process ensures that the number of simultaneous packets remains manageable for peripheral devices while still utilizing all IP addresses for the search operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic transmission of multicast packets by controlling the transmission timing across different IP address groups. Instead of continuous simultaneous transmission, packets are transmitted in periodic waves from different groups, allowing peripheral devices to process packets at a sustainable rate while maintaining comprehensive search coverage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple multicast packets are simultaneously transmitted from the communication apparatus, then comprehensive device search is achieved, but network traffic increases significantly which adversely affects communication of other devices
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting IP addresses into groups and transmitting packets sequentially from each group, the patent reduces the peak network traffic volume at any given time while maintaining the ability to discover all devices on the network through comprehensive group coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary grouping of IP addresses before transmission begins. This preliminary organization allows the system to control transmission timing and volume in advance, preventing traffic spikes while ensuring all address groups will be covered for complete device discovery.
3Loss of information
If peripheral devices receive multiple simultaneous multicast packets, then complete search information is provided, but devices with limited resources experience processing overload and packet loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multicast packet transmission across multiple time intervals corresponding to different IP address groups. This segmentation reduces the processing load on peripheral devices at any given moment while ensuring they receive complete search information across all groups over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic transmission pattern allows peripheral devices to process packets from one group before receiving packets from the next group. This periodic rhythm matches the processing capacity of resource-limited devices while maintaining information completeness through systematic coverage of all IP address groups.
Data Source
AI summary
A network communication apparatus which can transmit multicast packets includes a communication interface unit that has a plurality of IP addresses allocated thereto and transmits multicast packets using each of the plurality of IP addresses as a transmission source, and a multicast control unit that controls transmission of the multicast packets from the communication interface unit, groups the plurality of IP addresses in a plurality based on predetermined criteria, and sequentially transmits the multicast packets using one IP address belonging to each group as a transmission source with respect to all the IP addresses in each group.