Patent 8780887

Prior art

Earlier patents, publications, and products that may anticipate or render the claims unpatentable.

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Prior art

Earlier patents, publications, and products that may anticipate or render the claims unpatentable.

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Here is an analysis of the most relevant prior art for US patent 8780887, based on the patent's own citations. The analysis includes a full citation, publication/filing date, a brief description of the reference, and a discussion of which claims it potentially anticipates under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

US8780887 Overview:
US8780887 describes a method of network-based communication in a virtual network environment, focusing on providing direct communication between virtual tunnel routers (virtual TRs) based on virtual IP addresses, especially in the presence of NATs/firewalls, and supporting mobility. Key components include a tunnel mapping controller and the use of hole punching or a tunnel relay to establish tunnels.

The core independent claims are:

  • Claim 1: A method involving virtual TRs receiving virtual network prefix information, determining if a hole punching message is received, establishing a tunnel if received, and performing direct communication.
  • Claim 6: A method involving virtual TRs requesting virtual network prefix information from a tunnel mapping controller, the controller generating and transmitting this information along with a list of adjacent virtual TRs, the virtual TRs creating a tunnel, and performing direct communication by linking the virtual network prefix information.

Given the focus of US8780887, the most relevant prior art will likely involve virtual networking, NAT/firewall traversal, P2P communication, tunneling, and mobility support using virtual IPs.

Identified Prior Art Citations for US8780887:

The following patent citations are listed in US8780887:

  1. US20110082941A1

    • Full Citation: US20110082941A1 (en) Electronics And Telecommunications Research Institute, "Method of providing direct communication in internet protocol network"
    • Priority Date: 2009-10-06
    • Publication Date: 2011-04-07
    • Brief Description: This patent application, by the same assignee as US8780887, describes a method for providing direct communication in an IP network using a communication server and NAT traversal. It focuses on a sender terminal registering its public and private IP/port information with the communication server, the server providing this information to a receiver terminal, and then direct communication being established via hole punching if possible, or through a relay server if direct communication is not possible due to NAT/firewall types.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
      • Claim 1: This reference describes a system and method for direct communication using NAT traversal (hole punching) and a central server to exchange connection information. While it deals with "terminals" rather than "virtual tunnel routers" directly, the underlying mechanism of a central entity (communication server vs. tunnel mapping controller) facilitating direct communication via hole punching (or relay) based on exchanged connection information (IP/port vs. virtual network prefix information) is very similar. The "virtual network environment" and "virtual network prefix information" are distinguishing features, but the core steps of receiving connection information, determining hole punching success, and establishing a direct communication link are present. Therefore, US20110082941A1 potentially anticipates the general concept of facilitating direct communication and hole punching, particularly the steps of determining reception of a hole punching message and establishing a tunnel.
      • Claim 6: Similar to Claim 1, this reference details a server providing connection information for direct communication, and the use of hole punching. The concept of "virtual network prefix information" and "virtual tunnel routers" are key differences. However, the steps of requesting information from a central controller, the controller providing information to enable direct communication, and creating a tunnel for direct communication are conceptually related. The explicit mention of "virtual network prefix information" and "list of virtual tunnel routers for which previous connection information has been stored" in Claim 6 presents a stronger differentiating factor compared to the general "IP and port information" of a terminal in US20110082941A1.

  2. KR20080059900A

    • Full Citation: KR20080059900A (en) 한국과학기술정보연구원, "System level MPI communication method that supports private IP in grid environment through modified hole punching"
    • Priority Date: 2006-12-26
    • Publication Date: 2008-07-01
    • Brief Description: This Korean patent application describes a method for parallel processing communication (MPI) in a grid environment, enabling communication between nodes using private IP addresses through a modified hole punching technique. It aims to overcome limitations imposed by NATs and firewalls in grid computing environments by modifying how hole punching is performed.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
      • Claim 1: This reference directly mentions "hole punching" to support communication with "private IP" in an environment that implies network address translation. The focus is on communication between "nodes" in a "grid environment". If "nodes" are interpreted broadly to include "virtual tunnel routers," and the "grid environment" as a form of "virtual network environment," then the core mechanism of using hole punching to enable communication (which is inherently direct once the hole is punched) is present. The "virtual network prefix information" and "tunnel mapping controller" are specific elements that would need careful comparison.
      • Claim 6: The method focuses on private IP communication using hole punching. While it enables direct communication between "nodes," the specific architecture of "virtual tunnel routers," "tunnel mapping controller," and the exchange of "virtual network prefix information" for linking to tunnels as described in Claim 6 would need detailed comparison. The presence of "hole punching" for direct communication through private IPs makes it highly relevant.

  3. US20100235481A1

    • Full Citation: US20100235481A1 (en) Lantronix, Inc., "Various methods and apparatuses for accessing networked devices without accessible addresses via virtual ip addresses"
    • Priority Date: 2007-10-24
    • Publication Date: 2010-09-16
    • Brief Description: This patent application describes methods and apparatuses for accessing networked devices that do not have publicly accessible addresses (e.g., behind NATs or firewalls) by assigning them "virtual IP addresses." A central server (control server) maps these virtual IPs to the actual physical addresses, allowing communication to be routed through this server or by facilitating direct connections.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
      • Claim 1: This reference is highly relevant due to its explicit use of "virtual IP addresses" to access devices behind NATs/firewalls. The "control server" functions similarly to a "tunnel mapping controller" in managing these virtual addresses and facilitating connectivity. If the "accessing networked devices" implies direct communication through tunnels (even if relayed), it could potentially anticipate the broad concept. The specific "hole punching message" step and "establishing a tunnel" between "virtual tunnel routers" would be crucial distinguishing factors, as US20100235481A1 might rely more on relaying through the central server.
      • Claim 6: The concept of "virtual network prefix information" and "virtual tunnel routers" aligns strongly with the "virtual IP addresses" and "networked devices" of this reference. The "tunnel mapping controller" generating and transmitting information (virtual network prefix information) is analogous to the control server mapping and providing virtual IP addresses. The novelty of Claim 6 would depend on the specific "creating a tunnel" mechanism (e.g., direct hole punching between VTRs vs. server-mediated access) and the "linking the virtual network prefix information received by the first virtual tunnel router and the second virtual tunnel router, respectively."

  4. US8296437B2

    • Full Citation: US8296437B2 (en) Logmein, Inc., "Server-mediated setup and maintenance of peer-to-peer client computer communications"
    • Priority Date: 2005-12-29
    • Publication Date: 2012-10-23
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for establishing and maintaining peer-to-peer (P2P) communication between client computers, often located behind NATs or firewalls, using a server. The server assists in discovering network topologies, exchanging connection information, and facilitating direct connections (e.g., via UDP hole punching) or relaying communication when direct connections are not possible.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
      • Claim 1: This reference directly addresses P2P communication (which US8780887's background discusses as a problem area) and explicitly mentions server-mediated setup and UDP hole punching for direct communication between clients (peers). If "client computer communications" can be analogous to "virtual tunnel routers" in their function of establishing direct communication, and the "server" to the "tunnel mapping controller," then many elements of Claim 1 are present. The "virtual network environment" and "virtual network prefix information" are key distinctions.
      • Claim 6: The "server" collecting and providing information for P2P communication, including network topology, for enabling direct connections, aligns with the role of the "tunnel mapping controller." The "creating a tunnel" step, often through hole punching, is also a feature. Again, the specific definitions of "virtual tunnel routers" and "virtual network prefix information" as distinct network identifiers within a virtual environment, rather than just public/private IP/port pairs of clients, would be critical for differentiating Claim 6.

  5. US20080307519A1

    • Full Citation: US20080307519A1 (en) Avaya Technology Llc, "Peer-to-peer network over a virtual private network"
    • Priority Date: 2007-06-06
    • Publication Date: 2008-12-11
    • Brief Description: This patent application describes establishing a peer-to-peer (P2P) network over a virtual private network (VPN). It enables peers, potentially behind NATs, to communicate directly or through a relay by utilizing the VPN infrastructure. The VPN provides a secure and managed overlay network, simplifying direct communication challenges.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
      • Claim 1: This reference provides P2P communication within a "virtual private network," which is a type of "virtual network environment." The P2P communication might involve establishing direct links between peers, which could be functionally similar to "virtual tunnel routers." The methods of overcoming NATs (including potential hole punching or relaying through the VPN) are also relevant. The explicit steps of "receiving a hole punching message" and "establishing a tunnel based on virtual network prefix information" would need to be directly taught or inherently present within the VPN P2P setup for full anticipation.
      • Claim 6: A "virtual private network" essentially creates a virtual network and facilitates communication between "peers" (analogous to virtual TRs). The VPN typically manages routing and addressing (functionally related to "virtual network prefix information"). The "tunnel mapping controller" could find an analogue in a VPN controller or server. However, Claim 6's emphasis on specific "virtual network prefix information" and direct tunnel creation with linking, particularly with the optional inclusion of hole punching or tunnel relay, would need to be present in detail in US20080307519A1 for direct anticipation.

Other Patent Citations:

  1. US20060130136A1

    • Full Citation: US20060130136A1 (en) Vijay Devarapalli, "Method and system for providing wireless data network interworking"
    • Priority Date: 2004-12-01
    • Publication Date: 2006-06-15
    • Brief Description: This patent describes methods and systems for interworking different wireless data networks, focusing on mobility and seamless connectivity across heterogeneous networks, often involving tunneling and gateways.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Less direct anticipation. While it discusses interworking and mobility (concepts in US8780887), it doesn't appear to specifically address direct communication between virtual routers in a virtual network environment using virtual IPs and NAT/firewall traversal techniques like hole punching in the same manner as US8780887's claims.

  2. US7237260B2

    • Full Citation: US7237260B2 (en) Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., "Method for dynamic selection for secure and firewall friendly communication protocols between multiple distributed modules"
    • Priority Date: 2003-07-08
    • Publication Date: 2007-06-26
    • Brief Description: This patent focuses on selecting communication protocols that are secure and firewall-friendly for communication between distributed modules, particularly in scenarios where direct communication might be restricted.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Less direct anticipation. It deals with firewall traversal and communication protocols but doesn't explicitly teach the specific virtual network architecture, virtual tunnel routers, virtual network prefix information, or the hole punching/tunnel relay mechanisms of US8780887.

  3. US20070174436A1

    • Full Citation: US20070174436A1 (en) Hajime Maekawa, "Communication system, information processing system, information processing apparatus, tunnel management apparatus, information processing method, tunnel management method, and program"
    • Priority Date: 2004-01-30
    • Publication Date: 2007-07-26
    • Brief Description: This reference describes a communication system that uses tunnels for communication, and a tunnel management apparatus to manage these tunnels. It aims to provide seamless communication across networks.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While it involves tunneling and tunnel management (relevant to US8780887), it does not explicitly detail the "virtual tunnel routers," "virtual network prefix information," "hole punching," or "tunnel mapping controller" in the specific context of providing a direct communication environment in a virtualized network as claimed by US8780887.

  4. US7609701B2

    • Full Citation: US7609701B2 (en) Zheng Yang, "Communication using private IP addresses of local networks"
    • Priority Date: 2006-02-22
    • Publication Date: 2009-10-27
    • Brief Description: This patent addresses communication between devices using private IP addresses in local networks, often involving NAT traversal techniques to enable external connectivity or communication between different private networks.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Relevant due to "private IP addresses" and implicitly NAT traversal. However, it lacks the explicit architecture of "virtual tunnel routers" and "tunnel mapping controller" combined with "virtual network prefix information" in a comprehensive virtual network environment as claimed by US8780887.

  5. US7843918B2

    • Full Citation: US7843918B2 (en) Cisco Technology, Inc., "Selectively forwarding traffic through tunnels in a computer network"
    • Priority Date: 2008-01-25
    • Publication Date: 2010-11-30
    • Brief Description: This patent describes methods for selectively forwarding traffic through tunnels in a computer network, allowing for flexible routing and network management.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Focuses on selective traffic forwarding through tunnels. While tunneling is a core element of US8780887, this patent does not appear to teach the virtual network specific components (virtual TRs, virtual network prefixes) or the direct communication setup using hole punching/tunnel relay as claimed.

  6. US8014421B2

    • Full Citation: US8014421B2 (en) Citrix Systems, Inc., "Systems and methods for adjusting the maximum transmission unit by an intermediary device"
    • Priority Date: 2004-07-23
    • Publication Date: 2011-09-06
    • Brief Description: This patent describes methods and systems for adjusting the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) by an intermediary device (e.g., a gateway or proxy) to optimize network performance, particularly for traffic passing through different network segments or tunnels.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is concerned with MTU adjustment, which is a network optimization detail, not the core architecture or direct communication methodology of US8780887. It does not appear to directly anticipate any of the key claims.

Generated 5/29/2026, 5:56:29 PM