Router Element for Authenticated Multi-Path Data Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems face reliability and security issues due to the lack of standardized methods for maintaining connections across multiple physical media and interconnecting IP and non-IP communication methods, leading to vulnerabilities and incompatibilities, especially in critical applications where cyber attacks and equipment compatibility are concerns.

Innovation Solution

A router element and method that establish and maintain authenticated connections across multiple simultaneous and parallel transmission paths using various communication media, ensuring continuous data transfer even with changes in connections, and integrating IP and non-IP communication systems through a Distributed Systems intercommunication Protocol (DSiP) for enhanced reliability and security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the IP-stack creates new socket connections when physical media changes, then connection continuity is maintained, but the burden falls on the application to maintain multiple redundant connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection continuityVSAvoidapplication burden
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the communication system described in the patent) that sits between the application and the physical media. This intermediary automatically manages socket connections across multiple physical media, shielding the application from the complexity of maintaining redundant connections while ensuring connection continuity. The system handles media changes transparently without requiring application intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication system performs self-service by automatically detecting physical media changes and managing socket connections without external control. The system monitors its own connection state and autonomously establishes or switches connections as needed, eliminating the need for application-level connection management while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If multiple redundant connections are maintained at the application level, then communication reliability is improved, but there is no uniform or standardized way for multi-channel redundant communication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication redundancyVSAvoidstandardization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal communication system that can handle multiple types of physical media and connection protocols through a single standardized interface. The system is designed to work with various communication channels (wired, wireless, different protocols) while presenting a uniform method to applications, enabling standardized multi-channel redundant communication across diverse media types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If IP and non-IP communication methods are interconnected, then system compatibility is improved, but ad-hoc solutions are required for each purpose

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidcustomization requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary communication system that sits between IP and non-IP communication methods, providing automatic protocol translation and interconnection. This intermediary handles the complexity of protocol compatibility internally, allowing IP and non-IP devices to communicate through a standardized interface without requiring custom ad-hoc solutions for each connection type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If various physical links implement encryption and data integrity features differently, then security can be customized per link, but incompatibility results between implementations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity featureVSAvoidimplementation compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements homogeneity by standardizing security features (encryption and data integrity) across all physical links through a unified communication system. Rather than allowing each link to implement security differently, the system enforces consistent security protocols and methods across all connections, ensuring compatibility while maintaining security requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentEP2628278B1Method, system and element for multipurpose data traffic engineering and routing
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 HOLMSTROEM JOHN
  • EP2628278B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2628278B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2628278B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

First aspect of the invention is a router element for a network system. The router element comprises means for establishing and accepting an authenticated connection with a neighboring router element, for receiving and transmitting routing information to a connected neighboring router element. The router element further comprises means for accepting an authentication request from a node; establishing a connection with an authenticated node; routing packets from a node to another based on received routing information through one or more simultaneous and parallel transmission paths formed by a plurality of connections; and maintaining a transmission path regardless of changes in router-router connections between said node elements based on received routing information as long as at least one continuous and functional transmission path exists between node elements. Other aspects are a method, a software program product and a network system.