Portable Device Bridge Router Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable network connection devices face challenges in seamlessly functioning as both a bridge and a router, especially when transitioning between being connected to and disconnected from a home gateway, leading to potential data transfer issues due to the simultaneous presence of multiple routers in a network.

Innovation Solution

A portable device equipped with a processing section that can operate in either a bridge mode or a router mode, switching between these modes based on connection status to ensure only one router is present in the network, allowing the device to adapt its functionality to serve as a bridge when connected to a home gateway and as a router when disconnected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the portable network connection device functions as a router when connected to a home gateway, then multiple routers are present in the network, but data transfer issues occur because clients cannot identify which router to use as the gateway

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to function as routerVSAvoiddata transfer reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The portable network connection device dynamically changes its operation mode based on connection status. When connected to a home gateway, it operates in bridge mode; when disconnected, it operates in router mode. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the device to be versatile (functioning as router when needed) while maintaining reliability (avoiding multiple router conflicts when gateway is present).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes its operational parameters (operation mode) based on external conditions (connection status). By monitoring whether a home gateway is connected and switching between bridge mode and router mode accordingly, the device resolves the technical contradiction between versatility and reliability in different network environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the portable network connection device functions as a bridge when connected to home gateway, then data transfer reliability is maintained, but the device cannot provide router functionality when disconnected from gateway

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer reliabilityVSAvoidability to function as router

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device dynamically switches between bridge mode and router mode based on connection status. This dynamic behavior ensures reliability when connected (bridge mode) while maintaining adaptability when disconnected (router mode), resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The portable network connection device is designed to perform multiple functions - it can operate as both a bridge and a router. This multi-functionality allows it to adapt to different network environments, providing reliability when connected to gateway and independence when disconnected, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the portable network connection device operates in router mode, then it can provide internet access to multiple clients independently, but it creates network conflicts when home gateway is present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent internet access capabilityVSAvoidnetwork conflict

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary detection of home gateway connection status and takes preventive action by switching to bridge mode before network conflicts can occur. This preliminary anti-action eliminates the harmful effect of network conflicts while preserving the ability to provide independent internet access when gateway is absent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The device dynamically adjusts its operation mode based on the presence or absence of home gateway. By being router mode when gateway is absent and bridge mode when gateway is present, it provides independent internet access capability when needed while avoiding network conflicts when gateway is connected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8520651B2Portable device and method, computer program product and computer readable recording medium for setting operation mode for packet transfer

Publication Date: 2013.08.27 BUFFALO CORP LTD

AI summary

A portable device configured to be connected to a router via a wireless or wired connection. The portable device includes a first processing section that operates in each of a first operation mode to serve as a bridge functional part and a second operation mode to serve as a router functional part. The first processing section operates in the first operation mode when the portable device is connected to the router.