UPnP Remote Access via SIP XML Payloads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UPnP technologies face challenges in providing remote access services across the Internet due to limitations in IP multicast services, preventing seamless control of UPnP devices outside home networks.
Innovation Solution
A UPnP method and apparatus that utilize Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) packets with XML format payloads to establish and manage remote access services, including credential and RATA capability information, enabling secure and encrypted communication between UPnP Remote Access Server (RAS) and Client (RAC) for channel setting and NAT traversal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If IP multicast service is used for UPnP device discovery in home network, then device discovery and control within home network is enabled, but remote access control via Internet cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Remote Access Server (RAS) as an intermediary component that bridges the home network and external networks. The RAS receives control requests from external control points, translates them into appropriate commands, and forwards them to target UPnP devices within the home network, enabling reliable remote access control despite network boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the remote access functionality into distinct components: a Remote Access Client (RAC) in the external network, a Remote Access Server (RAS) in the home network, and the target UPnP devices. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently within its appropriate network zone while maintaining controlled communication through standardized interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If centralized control architecture is used in home network, then easy management is achieved, but flexibility and peer-to-peer networking capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control mechanism where control points can operate in multiple modes: directly controlling discovered UPnP devices within the home network using peer-to-peer communication, and remotely controlling devices through the RAS when outside the home network. This multi-functionality allows the same control point to adapt to different networking scenarios without requiring separate systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If UPnP device architecture 1.0 with IP multicast is used, then distributed and open networking is enabled, but Internet-level multicast service availability cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The RAS acts as a mediator that receives control requests from external control points via unicast IP protocols (which are universally supported on the Internet), translates them into appropriate commands, and forwards them to target UPnP devices within the home network. This approach eliminates dependency on Internet-level IP multicast service while maintaining distributed control capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a universal plug and play (UPnP) method and an apparatus thereof to provide remote access service, where the method includes receiving external inputs of an identifier of a remote access server (RAS) to generate a credential and a session initiation protocol (SIP) identifier of the RAS, generating a payload of a SIP packet written in extensible markup language (XML), which includes a credential ID generated based on the identifier of the RAS and remote access transport agent (RATA) capability information, and transmitting the SIP packet to the RAS identified by the SIP identifier, where the payload of the SIP packet includes multipurpose internet mail extensions (MIME)-type information to be identified as information used to provide remote access service.