Automatic Protocol Discovery for Obsolete Device Interoperability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in reverse engineering proprietary communication protocols for obsolete devices, requiring specialized knowledge and expertise, as manufacturers often discontinue support and documentation, making it difficult for users to rebuild or interface with these systems.

Innovation Solution

A system that automatically learns usage patterns and infers communication protocols by classifying and reconstructing message structures using statistical computations like Hidden Markov Models and Finite State Machines, allowing for interoperability and emulation of device commands and status updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual reverse engineering of proprietary protocols is performed by experts, then protocol reconstruction accuracy is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol reconstruction accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing captured communication packets and reconstructing protocols without requiring human experts. The protocol reconstruction engine autonomously infers message structures, command sets, and state transitions by processing recorded device interactions, eliminating the need for manual expert analysis while maintaining high accuracy through statistical pattern recognition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual expert analysis with an automated computational system. The protocol reconstruction engine uses algorithmic processing of captured packets substituting the human expert's manual reverse engineering process, thereby dramatically reducing time consumption while preserving reconstruction accuracy through systematic pattern analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If manual reverse engineering by experts is used, then protocol understanding depth is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to specialized knowledge requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol understanding depthVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system autonomously performs protocol analysis and reconstruction without requiring user expertise. The protocol reconstruction engine automatically captures communication packets, analyzes message structures, and generates comprehensive protocol documentation, making the process accessible to users without specialized knowledge while maintaining deep protocol understanding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary protocol reconstruction engine that bridges the gap between raw communication packets and human-understandable protocol specifications. This intermediary automatically processes and translates device communications into structured protocol documentation, eliminating the need for users to possess expert knowledge while preserving complete protocol understanding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If traditional reverse engineering methods are applied, then protocol accuracy is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the protocol reconstruction process into distinct modular components: packet capture module, message structure analyzer, command set inferrer, and protocol documentation generator. Each module handles a specific aspect of analysis independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high protocol accuracy through specialized focused processing at each stage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex manual expert analysis mechanics with automated computational algorithms. The protocol reconstruction engine uses algorithmic pattern recognition and statistical analysis to achieve high protocol accuracy without requiring the complex human expertise previously needed, thereby reducing the effective device complexity required to perform reverse engineering

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10104207B1Automatic protocol discovery

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 KIRIO INC

AI summary

A computing apparatus is configured to operate a controller on a communication log file to infer a message structure for communications between a remote control and a controlled device. The controller applies Hidden Markov Model and Finite State Machine to the message structure to operate the remote control on the controlled device to perform predefined actions, receives a state of the controlled device, and generates a semantic classification for the message structure from the state, the semantic classification applied to operation of the controller.