Wide Area Network Device Discovery via Mediator Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device-to-device communication technologies, such as UPnP, are ineffective in wide area networks due to the uncontrolled spread of multicast messages, which leads to privacy concerns and reduced communication range, and are not designed to handle device discovery and control across different operator domains.
Innovation Solution
A discovery server system is implemented to facilitate device discovery over a wide area network by determining device groups based on unique identifiers, transmitting discovery information only to relevant devices, and using unicast addresses instead of multicast addresses to manage device communication and control within specific groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multicast messages are used for device discovery in a wide area network, then device discovery range is extended, but uncontrolled message spread causes privacy concerns and network congestion
Solution Approach 1:
A discovery server acts as an intermediary between devices in the wide area network. The server receives discovery messages from devices, determines target devices based on device identifiers and group information, and forwards messages only to relevant devices. This mediator approach extends discovery range across the WAN while preventing uncontrolled message spread by controlling message distribution at the server level.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If multicast messages are restricted to reduce uncontrolled spread, then privacy and network control are improved, but device discovery range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The discovery server mediates between the need for message control and discovery range. It receives multicast-style discovery messages, uses device identifiers and group information to determine target devices, and forwards messages individually to matching devices across different operator domains. This enables controlled message distribution that maintains privacy while extending discovery range beyond local networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the wide area network into device groups based on device identifiers and operator domains. The discovery server determines which devices belong to the same group and forwards messages only to relevant devices within the group. This segmentation approach controls message spread to specific groups while maintaining discovery capability across the entire WAN.
3Ease of operation
If UPnP protocol is used for device-to-device communication, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to wide area networks and different operator domains is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The discovery server provides universal functionality that adapts UPnP-like device discovery and control to wide area networks. It handles device registration, stores device information and group associations, determines target devices based on identifiers, and forwards messages across different operator domains. This universal server functionality enables UPnP-style operation to work across diverse WAN environments while maintaining protocol simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The discovery server mediates between UPnP protocol requirements and wide area network characteristics. It receives standard UPnP discovery messages, adapts them for WAN transmission by determining target devices using device identifiers and group information, and forwards messages to devices across different operator domains. This mediation preserves UPnP ease of operation while adding WAN adaptability.
4Productivity
If device identifiers and group information are used to target specific devices, then message distribution efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Devices perform preliminary registration with the discovery server before actual discovery operations. During registration, devices provide their device identifiers and group information, which the server stores in advance. When discovery messages are sent, the server uses this pre-stored information to quickly determine target devices and forward messages efficiently. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of real-time message routing while improving distribution efficiency.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for discovery of one or more devices of a group of devices to establish a direct connection between at least two devices of the group of devices over a wide area network. The wide area network contains or is connected to a discovery server system. The discovery server system is configured for identifying a group associated with the group of devices, wherein each of the devices has a corresponding device identifier associated with the group. A discovery message from a first device of the group of devices is received, the discovery message comprising a device identifier associated with the first device. The group associated with the group of devices is determined on the basis of the received device identifier of the first device. The corresponding device identifier of one or more devices of the group of devices is determined on the basis of the determined group,and discovery information is transmitted only to one or more devices of the group of devices.