FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to computer networks and, more particularly, to the automated discovery of available network resources using a network-enabled device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A computer network is often designed with a variety of different subnetworks, or subnets, which are physically interconnected but logically separate. For instance, in the hospitality industry, a property is commonly configured with an expansive computer network that includes a multitude of different subnets, one or more of which is designed to support a designated network resource, such as a network device and/or service. For example, a computer network for a hotel property is often configured with subnets that provide, inter alia, internet services, content streaming services, print services, videotelephony services, gaming services, and home automation services (e.g. smart lighting and thermostat systems).

InFIG. 1, there is shown a simplified schematic representation of a conventional network system11. In network system11, a network-enabled compute device13, represented herein as a smartphone, is able to wirelessly connect to a local area network15at a particular location, such as a hotel or other similar establishment. In the present example, network15is shown comprising a pair of logically independent subnets17-1and17-2.

In illustrative network system11, subnet17-1is represented as providing content streaming services. More specifically, subnet17-1provides screencasting services through a plurality cast receiving, or casting, devices19-1thru19-3which are independently connected to the internet via local router21-1. Casting devices19-1thru19-3are, in turn, electrically connected to corresponding monitors23-1thru23-3, respectively (e.g. by being physically plugged into a designated HDMI port). In use, network-enabled device13is able to initiate the delivery of streaming digital content from a designated source (e.g. a streaming content media provider) to a particular casting device19. In this manner, the desired streaming content can be displayed on enlarged monitor23for an enhanced viewing experience. An example of a casting device of the type described above is the Chromecast® streaming media player, which is manufactured and sold by Google, LLC.

In a similar fashion, subnet17-2is represented herein as providing print services. More specifically, subnet17-2provides print services through a plurality of network printers25-1thru25-3which are independently connected to network15via local router21-2. In use, network-enabled device13is able to transmit a print job to a selected network printer25in subnet17-2.

Designing network13with multiple, logically disparate subnets17promotes scalability (e.g. to support an increasing need of network services). Additionally, separating network services into independently operating subnets17enhances security, as a user is only able to discover and utilize the network resources supported by a subnet17to which connection has been established. In other words, if device13is unable to connect to a particular subnet17, the resources provided by that subnet17remain hidden to device13and therefore inaccessible for use.

In order to access the network resources afforded by each subnet17, device13first engages in an automated discovery process to locate each subnetwork17and all of its supported resources, including any computing devices and/or Internet of things, or IoT, devices. As part of the traditional network resources discovery process in a hospitality setting, the user first connects network-enabled device13to local network15through a standard web-based or software application portal.

Once connected to local network15, device13sends non-routing, network resources discovery request packets, represented generally by reference numeral27, directly to each subnet17. A network resources response packet, represented generally by reference29, is sent in return from each subnet17that satisfies the network resources discovery request. In response packet29, information is typically provided which may include, among other things, details for connecting to subnet17as well as the types of available services and/or identification of network devices contained within that subnet17. In this manner, a data path can be established with one or more selected components within the connected subnet17using network-enabled device13.

Although well-known in the art, the system architecture and network resources discovery process set forth in detail above have been found to suffer from a couple notable shortcomings.

As a first shortcoming, in prior art system11, network resources discovery packets27are sent directly from device13to subnets17. Due to the non-routing nature of network resources discovery packets27, device13is only able to connect to those local subnets17which receive the addressed request packet27. In other words, a router21within a particular subnet17does not forward the discovery request to related subnets17in order to expand the scope of resources available to the user.

As a second shortcoming, in prior art system11, connection established between device13and a particular subnet17renders all resources related to that subnet (including the various components residing within that subnet) discoverable by the user. Once discovered, the user may unintentionally or maliciously transmit data to a component within subnetwork17that should otherwise be inaccessible.

For example, once connection is established between network-enabled device13and subnetwork17-1, all casting devices19within subnet17-1are automatically discovered by device13. As such, a user may unintentionally or maliciously initiate the delivery of potentially sensitive streaming media content to a casting device19located in a neighboring room of the user. In other words, system11is currently incapable of isolating, or restricting, the discovery of components and/or services within a connected subnetwork to an authorized set of users. As a result, it has been found that the network resources discovery process associated with prior art system11creates a significant privacy issue, particularly in environments in which multiple, unrelated individuals frequently access a common subnetwork with components designated for use by a limited subset of those individuals, such as hotels, apartment buildings, shared workspaces, schools, hospitals and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved system for automating the discovery of available network resources using a network-enabled device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a network resources discovery system of the type as described above which is easily configurable and readily scalable.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a network resources discovery system of the type as described above which is designed to support a wide scope of network services.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a network resources discovery system of the type as described above which is able to restrict the discovery of certain resources within a computer network to an authorized set of user devices.

Accordingly, as one feature of the present invention, there is provided a system for facilitating the automated discovery of network resources provided by a computer network using a network-enabled device, the system comprising (a) a computer network configured to support a network resource, and (b) a network resources discovery proxy configured with a set of network resources matching rules, (c) wherein the network resources discovery proxy intermediates network resources discovery packets sent between the network-enabled device and the computer network.

As another feature of the present invention, there is provided a method for automatically discovering network resources provided by a computer network using a network-enabled device, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing a network resources discovery proxy for intermediating network resources discovery packets sent between the network-enabled device and the computer network, (b) storing a set of network resources matching rules in the network resources discovery proxy, and (c) sending network resources discovery packets between the network-enabled device and the computer network in compliance with the set of network resources matching rules.

Various other features and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, an embodiment for practicing the invention. The embodiment will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

