XML Gateway Proxy for External Device Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gateway devices face complexity in communicating with various external devices due to the lack of uniformity in communication formats, requiring them to adapt to different formats for each device, which complicates design, implementation, and operation.
Innovation Solution
A gateway device with an XML interface that uses XML commands and responses to communicate with external devices like billing and content servers, property management systems, and AAA servers, simplifying communication by using a uniform format and acting as a proxy for the user's computer to support XML without requiring the computer to be reconfigured.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the gateway device adapts to different communication formats for each external device, then compatibility with various devices is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an XML interface as an intermediary layer between the gateway device and external devices. This XML interface acts as a mediator that translates between the gateway's internal protocols and the diverse communication formats required by different external devices (billing servers, content servers, property management systems, AAA servers), thereby maintaining compatibility without increasing the complexity of the gateway's core architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device implements a universal XML-based communication interface that can handle multiple types of external devices through a single standardized protocol. This multi-functional approach allows the gateway to communicate with billing servers, content servers, property management systems, and AAA servers using the same XML framework, eliminating the need for separate adaptation mechanisms for each device type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the gateway device supports multiple communication formats, then versatility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by standardizing all external device communications through a uniform XML interface. Instead of dealing with heterogeneous communication formats from different vendors, the gateway translates all external device protocols into a homogeneous XML-based internal format, making operation simpler and more consistent regardless of the specific external device being accessed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the gateway device implements format adaptation for each external device, then compatibility is improved, but design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The XML interface serves as a mediating layer that simplifies the design process. Rather than designing separate integration logic for each external device, the patent uses the XML intermediary to handle format translations, thereby reducing design complexity while maintaining compatibility with diverse external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway implements a universal XML communication framework that provides multi-functional support for various external devices through a single design approach. This universality eliminates the need for device-specific design variations, reducing overall design complexity while maintaining broad compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A gateway device and associated method are provided that facilitate communications with external devices by utilizing a uniform communications format. The gateway device includes a subscriber interface for adapting to a subscriber computer that is connected to the gateway device. The subscriber interface facilitates communications between the subscriber computer and at least one network or on-line service without requiring the subscriber computer to be reconfigured and without requiring the subscriber computer to support XML commands and responses. The gateway device also includes an XML interface for communicating with an external device via a series of XML commands and responses. The XML commands and responses can relate to a variety of matters, including various subscriber management matters.