Service Sharing Platform for Internet Access Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices often operate independently and lack the ability to share Internet services, leading to limited functionality when disconnected from a network or without Internet access, as they traditionally rely on standalone capabilities and lack mechanisms for resource sharing.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for sharing Internet services among multiple devices through a service-sharing platform, where devices can request and provide Internet access by relaying packets using network address translation and reverse network address translation, enabling connectivity even when one device lacks direct Internet access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If devices operate independently with standalone capabilities, then each device has full control and simplicity, but Internet service cannot be shared when one device lacks direct access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service-sharing platform as an intermediary that mediates between devices with Internet access and devices without direct access. The platform receives service availability information from provider devices and enables requesting devices to connect through the platform, resolving the contradiction by adding a mediating layer that enables service sharing without requiring complex direct peer-to-peer protocols between all device pairs.
Solution Approach 2:
The service-sharing platform performs multiple functions: it acts as a discovery mechanism for finding available services, a registration system for provider devices, a connection broker for establishing sessions, and a routing assistant for packet forwarding. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by consolidating various network sharing tasks into a single universal platform rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each function.
2Reliability
If a device lacks direct Internet access, then device simplicity is maintained, but the device cannot receive or send Internet services
Solution Approach 1:
The service-sharing platform acts as an intermediary that relays packets between devices without direct Internet access and the service provider device. Instead of implementing complex packet relay logic in each endpoint device, the platform centralizes this function, receiving packets from requesting devices and forwarding them to appropriate provider devices, thereby ensuring reliable connectivity while keeping endpoint devices simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service Internet access where devices automatically discover available services through the platform, register their service availability, and establish connections without manual configuration. The platform automatically manages service registration, discovery, and connection establishment, resolving the contradiction by making the complex packet relay and connection management transparent and automatic rather than requiring manual setup.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Internet service is shared among multiple devices, then service availability and functionality are improved, but network management and routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The service-sharing platform serves as a central intermediary that manages routing information for all connected devices. Instead of requiring each device to maintain complex routing tables for all other devices in the network, the platform centralizes service registration and routing information, automatically determining which provider device should receive packets for each service request. This resolves the contradiction by centralizing routing management in the platform rather than distributing complexity across all endpoint devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for sharing services among multiple devices are provided. The methods and devices may involve multiple devices and a service-sharing platform that allows multiple different services available on the multiple devices to be shared among the multiple devices. One device may lack a service and request that service from one or more other devices that have the service. The methods and devices may further involve an iptables-based routing technique to connect or transmit data from one device to one or more other devices. The technique may comprise marking communications of one device based on a marking feature of iptables and creating a rule for the marked communications. The rule may instruct the marked communications to look up a routing table and to be routed to a default route of the routing table.