Multicast Controller for Secure UPnP Streaming Across Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for multicasting contents between UPnP devices in different networks face issues such as unidirectional access, lack of bidirectional control, transmission delays due to resource constraints, and inability to provide simultaneous and secure streaming across heterogeneous networks.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus utilizing a home-to-home multicast control device, home-to-home multicast bridge devices, and a multicast relay device for securely multicasting contents, which includes security management, access management, and transmission management units to process and transmit contents as file blocks, ensuring secure and concurrent streaming across multiple networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If JXTA protocol with relay service is used to interconnect heterogeneous UPnP networks, then multimedia data can be transmitted between UPnP media devices, but multiple unicasts are used which increases relay peer load and causes transmission delay due to lack of network resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterconnection capabilityVSAvoidtransmission delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple unicast streams into a single multicast stream by introducing a multicast controller that aggregates content from multiple sources and distributes it through a shared multicast channel, thereby reducing network resource consumption and transmission delay while maintaining adaptability across heterogeneous UPnP networks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a multicast controller as an intermediary device that mediates between content sources and UPnP media devices, managing the multicast distribution process centrally to optimize network resource usage and reduce transmission delay compared to distributed unicast approaches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If virtual media server is used for multimedia streaming between UPnP based home networks, then streaming can be provided, but home connector needs to be installed in each home network requiring manual setting and dynamic configuration is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestreaming capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables systems to automatically discover and configure multicast parameters through standardized protocols, allowing the multicast controller and UPnP devices to self-organize the streaming infrastructure without manual connector installation or configuration, thereby maintaining streaming capability while dramatically improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If conventional UPnP proxy is used, then unidirectional access and control to in-home devices from external Internet is provided, but bidirectional access and control between UPnP devices in physically spaced heterogeneous UPnP networks is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote access capabilityVSAvoidbidirectional control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal multicast-based communication framework that simultaneously supports unidirectional remote access, bidirectional inter-network control, and content distribution across heterogeneous UPnP networks, making the system multi-functional and adaptable to various access patterns without requiring separate solutions for each use case

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If SIP based mobility provision is used, then mobility of UPnP devices can be supported, but each UPnP device needs to support SIP requiring redevelopment of previously-developed UPnP devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility supportVSAvoiddevice compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates mobility management functionality from the UPnP device itself by implementing it in the multicast controller and network infrastructure, allowing existing UPnP devices to maintain compatibility while gaining mobility support through the standardized multicast protocol without requiring SIP integration or redevelopment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8126001B2Method and apparatus for multicasting contents between devices in networks

Publication Date: 2012.02.28 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST

AI summary

An apparatus for multicasting contents between devices in different networks includes: a home-to-home multicast control device for finding the devices in the networks, downloading contents from a device in a network to which the home-to-home multicast control device belongs, processing the contents to generate file blocks, each file block having chunk files, and multicasting the processed contents to the devices in the networks; and at least one home-to-home multicast bridge device for receiving the contents transmitted from the home-to-home multicast control device and streaming the contents to one or more devices in a network to which the home-to-home multicast bridge device belongs. The apparatus further includes a multicast relay device for relaying the contents between the home-to-home multicast control device and the home-to-home multicast bridge device.