Proxy Device Network Traffic Routing via Inverted Connection Initiation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to enable user devices to connect to proxy devices without fixed IP addresses or direct addressability, particularly when proxy devices are mobile or behind Network Address Translation (NAT) servers, limiting their use as intermediaries in network traffic transmission.

Innovation Solution

A proxy device initiates a connection with the user device, using a dynamic IP address and potentially a WiFi base station, allowing the user device to connect to a target device through the proxy, with the proxy's IP address hidden from the target, enabling communication even if the proxy is behind a NAT or firewall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a proxy device uses a dynamic IP address or is behind a NAT server, then the proxy device can be more flexible and accessible in different network environments, but the proxy device cannot be directly addressed by user devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproxy device network environment flexibilityVSAvoiddirect addressability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the user device initiate a connection to the proxy device (which requires the proxy to have a fixed, addressable IP), the connection initiation is inverted: the proxy device initiates the connection to the user device. This allows the proxy to use dynamic IP addresses or operate behind NAT servers, as the connection flow is reversed - the proxy connects outbound to the user device, which then connects back to the target through the proxy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

An introducer server is introduced as an intermediary component that facilitates the connection between the proxy device and user device. The proxy device connects to the introducer server, which helps establish the connection to the user device. This intermediary enables the proxy to operate without direct addressability while still maintaining the ability to initiate and manage connections for anonymous communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the proxy device initiates the connection to the user device, then the user device can connect to target devices anonymously through the proxy, but the connection establishment process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanonymous communication capabilityVSAvoidconnection establishment process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The proxy device performs preliminary actions by initiating the connection to the user device before the actual communication needs to occur. The proxy connects to the introducer server and establishes the initial connection path in advance. This preliminary connection setup simplifies the overall process, as the infrastructure is already in place when the user device needs to communicate anonymously with a target device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The introducer server acts as a mediator that simplifies the complex connection establishment process. Rather than requiring direct peer-to-peer connection setup between the proxy and user device, the introducer server coordinates and facilitates the connection, managing the complexity of establishing connections between devices with dynamic addresses and those behind NAT servers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the proxy device uses a non-routable IP address assigned by a WiFi base station, then the proxy device can access the internet through WiFi networks, but the IP address changes when accessing different WiFi base stations

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveWiFi network accessibilityVSAvoidIP address consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system embraces the dynamic nature of the proxy device's IP address by designing the connection initiation process to adapt to changing network environments. Since the proxy device initiates connections rather than being passively addressed, the system can handle IP address changes dynamically - the proxy simply re-establishes connections from its new IP address without requiring the user device or target device to know or adapt to the IP change.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By inverting the connection initiation direction, the system resolves the IP address stability issue. The proxy device, which has the dynamic IP address, takes the active role of initiating connections. This means the proxy can change its IP address freely when moving between WiFi networks, and the connection management adapts automatically since the proxy is the one establishing the connection from its current network location rather than receiving connections at a fixed address.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10637831B2Method and apparatus for transmitting network traffic via a proxy device

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 NTREPID LLC

AI summary

A method and apparatus can be configured to initiate a request for connection with a user device. The method can include connecting to the user device. The method can also include connecting to a target device using an identifier of the proxy device. The user device is connected to the target device via the proxy device. An identifier of the user device is hidden from the target device. The target device identifies the user device using the identifier of the proxy device.