Nomadic Relay Module for Cross-Network UPnP Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for controlling entities across different UPnP networks are complex and not user-friendly, particularly due to address conflicts and the requirement for advanced architectures like VPN tunnels or IMS, which are not freely accessible to the general public.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a nomadic relay module that communicates with a source relay module to facilitate control of remote UPnP entities by converting requests between different protocols, allowing secure and simple access to remote networks through a USB medium with a nomadic connection module, enabling dialogue between local and remote network entities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If VPN tunnel or IMS architecture is used to control entities across networks, then communication between networks is enabled, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between the UPnP network and external networks. The gateway performs protocol conversion, translating UPnP control requests into appropriate external network protocols and vice versa. This mediator approach enables reliable cross-network communication without requiring complex VPN tunnels or IMS architecture, as the gateway handles all protocol translation and network address translation (NAT) traversal requirements.
2Reliability
If VPN tunnel solution is implemented, then network connectivity is achieved, but address conflict issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network communication into distinct functional layers: the UPnP network layer, the gateway translation layer, and the external network layer. Each layer operates with its own addressing scheme, and the gateway performs network address translation (NAT) to map between them. This segmentation eliminates address conflicts by ensuring that internal UPnP addresses and external network addresses operate in separate address spaces, with the gateway acting as the translation boundary.
3Reliability
If IMS architecture is used, then cross-network control is enabled, but accessibility and user availability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal gateway that can handle multiple types of external network connections and protocols simultaneously. The gateway is designed to work with various network configurations (direct connection, NAT, firewall environments) and supports multiple protocol translations. This multi-functional approach makes the solution freely accessible to all users regardless of their specific network environment, unlike IMS which requires specific carrier infrastructure and user subscriptions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for controlling at least one entity (DMS11, DMS12) from a remote source network (RS1) using a local host network (RS2), the method being implemented by means of a relay module (DMS-R2), referred to as the mobile relay module, designed to communicate, when executed by a device (T12, GW2) connected to the host network, with a relay module (DMS-R1), referred to as the source relay module, executed by a device (GW1) on the source network (RS1) and serving as a communication relay with respect to said at least one entity, the method comprising: - a step of receiving, via a control interface conforming to a first protocol usable for controlling said entity from the source network, a first request; - a step of sending, from the mobile relay module (DMS-R2) to the source relay module (DMS-R1), a first request intended to be converted by the source relay module. (DMS-R1) in at least a third request conforming to the first protocol.