UPnP Control Module Disconnection Detection via Dummy Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UPnP protocols lack a satisfactory method for easily detecting the disconnection of a UPnP control module, leading to network congestion and resource wastage in UPnP AV, Telephony, and IGD technologies, resulting in customer dissatisfaction and unnecessary resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the detection of disconnection by sending a message indicating the presence of a dummy device within the network, allowing for the determination of the control module's absence through the absence of access requests, without modifying the UPnP standard or hardware, and enabling the deletion of unnecessary actions or NAT rules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the UPnP protocol is used to allow interoperability and interconnection of multimedia equipment without user configuration, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to detect disconnection of control modules deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dummy device as an intermediary element in the network. The control module is prompted to access this dummy device, and the absence of access requests to the dummy device serves as an indicator that the control module has disconnected. This intermediary mechanism enables indirect detection of disconnection without requiring direct communication channels between monitoring entities and control modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the presence or absence of access requests to the dummy device provides information about the connection status of the control module. By monitoring whether the control module attempts to access the dummy device, the system receives feedback about the control module's operational status, enabling automatic detection of disconnections.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If content distribution continues after control module disconnection, then duration of action is improved, but network congestion and resource wastage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection by prompting the control module to access the dummy device before determining whether to terminate content distribution. This advance check allows the system to identify disconnections early and take preventive action, avoiding the continuation of resource-consuming operations on disconnected control modules and preventing network congestion.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If NAT rules are not deleted after control module disconnection, then duration of action is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using the dummy device access mechanism before determining whether to delete NAT rules. By checking for the absence of access requests to the dummy device, the system can identify disconnected control modules and promptly delete their associated NAT rules, preventing unnecessary accumulation of routing entries and maintaining gateway efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for monitoring a control module (CP) in a network, including linking, via the network, the control module to a device (DP) in the network, and then voluntarily or involuntarily disconnecting (D13) the control module. According to the invention, the method includes a step of detecting the disconnection of said control module, including: the transmission (D7i), from the device (DP) in the network to said control module, of a message (RNi) indicating the presence in the network of a dummy device that is designed to be recognized by the control module; and the determination (D14), by means of the device in the network, that a dummy device access request from said control module has not received.