Peer-to-Peer Communication via IP Relay for Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rapid growth of the Internet and IP address exhaustion lead to most users having dynamic IP addresses, making direct peer-to-peer connections between end user devices impossible, forcing them to rely on third-party servers for communication, which exposes private data to risks of censorship, theft, and leaks.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that facilitate peer-to-peer connections between end user devices by a server, which establishes connections with each device, receives and forwards their IP addresses, allowing devices to establish direct connections without relying on third-party servers, thereby reducing data exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users rely on third-party servers for communication, then peer-to-peer connection can be established, but user data privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a third-party server as an intermediary only for the purpose of exchanging IP address information, not for data transmission. The server facilitates connection establishment by relaying IP addresses between devices, then disconnects, allowing direct peer-to-peer communication without ongoing server involvement in data paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of the third-party server to merely exchange IP address information, separating this temporary intermediary role from ongoing data communication. Once IP addresses are exchanged, the server is removed from the communication path, leaving only direct peer-to-peer connections.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If direct peer-to-peer connection is used, then data privacy is protected, but connection establishment is impossible with dynamic IP addresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third-party server as a temporary intermediary to exchange IP address information between devices with dynamic IP addresses. This mediator enables devices to discover each other's current IP addresses without requiring static addressing, making direct peer-to-peer connection possible despite dynamic IP assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary IP address exchange through the third-party server before direct peer-to-peer communication begins. This preliminary action of sharing IP addresses through the intermediary prepares the devices for direct connection, resolving the establishment problem before privacy protection takes effect.
3Reliability
If third-party servers are used for communication, then connection reliability is improved, but data exposure to censorship and theft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a third-party server as a limited intermediary only for exchanging IP address metadata, not for transmitting user data. The server's role is confined to facilitating connection establishment by relaying address information, after which direct peer-to-peer data channels are established that bypass the server entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful aspect of server-mediated data transmission while retaining the useful connection establishment function. By separating the IP exchange function from data transmission, the server is taken out of the data path, eliminating exposure risks while maintaining connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating peer-to-peer end user communication without exposing user data to 3rd-party servers. In an exemplary embodiment, a 3rd-party server facilitates establishment of a peer-to-peer connection between two end user devices or among a group session. After the establishment of a peer-to-peer connection, data transfer takes place directly between end user devices without the data being stored at or routed through the 3rd-party server.