Network Mediation Server for Reliable Packet Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Packets often fail to be delivered between multiple networks due to temporary unavailability of target devices or limited buffering capacity, leading to disrupted connections.

Innovation Solution

A server mediates connections between devices in different networks by receiving commands, determining the target device, saving and transmitting packets, and retransmitting them once the connection is restored after detecting disturbances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If packets are transmitted directly between networks without mediation, then device complexity is reduced, but packet delivery reliability deteriorates due to temporary unavailability and connection disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket delivery reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork mediation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that mediates between first and second networks. The server receives packets from devices in the first network, stores them temporarily, and transmits them to devices in the second network. This intermediary approach ensures reliable packet delivery by handling connection disruptions and buffer limitations without requiring complex direct routing between networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If connection status is continuously monitored and retransmission is implemented, then packet delivery reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to connection checks and retransmission delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidretransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The server performs preliminary actions by storing received packets in a buffer before transmission to the second network. This allows the server to prepare packets in advance and transmit them as soon as the connection is available, reducing the impact of connection disruptions. The server monitors connection status and retransmits stored packets automatically when connectivity is restored, minimizing time loss compared to continuous monitoring approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If destination devices have limited buffering capacity, then device complexity is reduced, but packet delivery reliability deteriorates when buffers are full

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuffer handling capabilityVSAvoidbuffer management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server acts as an intermediary buffer between the first and second networks. Instead of relying on destination devices to handle buffer overflow, the server receives packets, stores them temporarily in its own buffer, and transmits them to the second network when appropriate. This approach handles buffer limitations without requiring complex buffer management at destination devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4297374B1Server and method for coupling multiple networks
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 ISE INDIVIDUELLE SOFTWARE & ELEKTRONIK GMBH
  • EP4297374B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4297374B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4297374B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a server for mediating connections between a first device in a first network and a second device in a second network, wherein each of the two networks contains further devices, and wherein the server is configured to: receive a command from the first device, wherein the command originates from one of the further devices of the first network and is addressed to one of the further devices of the second network and defines a function to be applied on the addressed device; determine the second device based on the addressing of the command; store the command; and transmit the command to the second device;wherein the server is further configured to check whether a connection to the second device is disrupted and, if the connection is disrupted, to retransmit the last stored command for each of the other devices in the second network to the second device as soon as the connection is no longer disrupted.;