Data transmission workflow in multi-machine ecosystem

Abstract

Facilitating data transmission from a first machine and / or computing system to at least a second machine and / or computing system in the event that, for example, a conventional data transmission method (e.g., using a communication network) is not immediately feasible is achieved by identifying a trigger event for physical propagation of data, collecting data to be propagated, and transmitting data. Secure transmission of the collected data is achieved by encrypting the collected data.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of data transmission, and more particularly to a method for utilizing data transmission between machines in a specific environment. Summary of the invention

[0002] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is a method, computer program product and / or system that performs the following operations (not necessarily in the following order): (i) providing a plurality of data transfer vehicles, each of the plurality of data transfer vehicles being constructed and configured to transfer encrypted data from a first machine to a second machine; (ii) actively positioning the plurality of data transfer vehicles around the first machine and the second machine so that data transfer operations can be performed in an efficient manner; (iii) determining that a first condition exists that prevents the first machine from performing a data transfer operation to the second machine; (iv) in response to determining that the first machine cannot perform a data transfer operation to the second machine, collecting, by the first data transfer vehicle, a set of encrypted data stored on the first machine; and (v) transferring, by the first data transfer vehicle, the set of encrypted data stored on the first machine to the second machine.

[0003] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is a method, computer program product and / or system that performs the following operations (not necessarily in the following order): (i) tracking a group of machines to determine whether each machine is able to communicate with each other and perform machine-to-machine workflows; (ii) learning from historical adverse network events and how each machine reacted during corresponding historical adverse network events to track how each machine is affected based on the type of network problem and the duration of the event to predict when to deploy a corresponding data transfer vehicle in a group of data transfer vehicles, wherein an optimal movement path for the group of data transfer vehicles is created; (iii) in response to determining that a first machine cannot perform a data transfer to a second machine due to a network connectivity problem, instructing a data transfer vehicle to collect data from the first machine, physically travel to the second machine, and perform a data transfer of the data to the second machine, enabling a machine-to-machine workflow; (iv) actively positioning the data transfer vehicle around a data generation source based on the amount of data generated and the data transfer demand; and (v) during the data transfer, receiving encrypted data from the first machine and a public key having a private key of the second machine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a system according to the present invention;

[0005] Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a first embodiment method at least partially performed by a first embodiment system;

[0006] Figure 3is a block diagram illustrating the machine logic (eg, software) portion of the first embodiment system; and

[0007] Figure 4 is a context diagram showing information helpful for understanding embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] By identifying a triggering event for physical propagation of data, collecting the data to be propagated, and transmitting the data, a method of facilitating data transmission from a first machine and / or computing system to at least a second machine and / or computing system is achieved in situations where traditional data transmission methods (e.g., using a communication network) are not immediately feasible. Secure transmission of the collected data is achieved by encrypting the collected data. This detailed description section is divided into the following subsections: (i) Hardware and Software Environment; (ii) Example Embodiments; (iii) Further Comments and / or Embodiments; and (iv) Definitions.

[0009] I. Hardware and Software Environment

[0010] The present invention may be a system, method and / or computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer-readable storage medium (or multiple media) having computer-readable program instructions thereon, the computer-readable program instructions being used to cause a processor to perform various aspects of the present invention.

[0011] A computer-readable storage medium may be a tangible device capable of retaining and storing instructions used by an instruction execution device. A computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of computer-readable storage media includes the following: a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanical encoding device such as a punch card or a raised structure in a groove with instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. As used herein, a computer-readable storage medium should not be interpreted as a temporary signal itself, such as a radio wave or other freely propagating electromagnetic wave, an electromagnetic wave propagated by a waveguide or other transmission medium (e.g., a light pulse by an optical fiber cable), or an electrical signal transmitted by a wire.

[0012] The computer-readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded from a computer-readable storage medium to a corresponding computing / processing device, or downloaded to an external computer or external storage device via a network, such as the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, and / or a wireless network. The network can include copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmissions, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and / or edge servers. The network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives the computer-readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer-readable program instructions to be stored in a computer-readable storage medium within the corresponding computing / processing device.

[0013] The computer-readable program instructions for performing the operation of the present invention can be assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-related instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​(such as Smalltalk, C++, etc.) and conventional procedural programming languages ​​(such as "C" programming language or similar programming languages). The computer-readable program instructions can be executed completely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, executed as an independent software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or completely on a remote computer or server. In the latter case, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or can be connected to an external computer (for example, using an Internet service provider through the Internet). In some embodiments, in order to perform various aspects of the present invention, the electronic circuit including, for example, a programmable logic circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or a programmable logic array (PLA) can execute the computer-readable program instructions by utilizing the state information of the computer-readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuit.

[0014] Various aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to the flow chart and / or block diagram of the method, device (system) and computer program product according to embodiments of the present invention. It will be understood that each frame of the flow chart and / or block diagram and the combination of frames in the flow chart and / or block diagram can be implemented by computer-readable program instructions.

[0015] These computer-readable program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device create a device for implementing the functions / actions specified in one or more boxes of the flowchart and / or block diagram. These computer-readable program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, which can guide the computer, programmable data processing device, and / or other equipment to work in a specific manner, so that the computer-readable storage medium having the instructions stored therein includes an article of manufacture, which includes instructions for implementing various aspects of the functions / actions specified in one or more boxes of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0016] Computer-readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device, so that a series of operational steps are performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions / actions specified in one or more boxes of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0017] Flowchart and block diagram in the accompanying drawings show the possible architecture, function and operation of the system, method and computer program product according to various embodiments of the present invention.In this regard, each frame in flow chart or block diagram can represent the module, segment or part of instruction, and it includes one or more executable instructions for realizing specified (multiple) logical functions.In some alternative embodiments, the function mentioned in the frame may not occur in the order mentioned in the figure.For example, two frames shown continuously can actually be performed substantially simultaneously, or these frames can sometimes be performed in reverse order, depending on the function involved.It will also be noted that the combination of the frame in each frame of block diagram and / or flow chart illustration and block diagram and / or flow chart illustration can be realized by the dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified function or action or performs the combination of special hardware and computer instruction.

[0018] Embodiments of possible hardware and software environments of the software and / or method according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 1 is a functional block diagram showing various parts of the networked computer system 100, including: server subsystem 102; client subsystems 104, 106, 108, 110, 112; communication network 114; server computer 200; communication unit 202; processor set 204; input / output (I / O) interface set 206; memory device 208; persistent storage device 210; display device 212; external device set 214; random access memory (RAM) device 230; cache memory device 232; and program 300.

[0019] Subsystem 102 is representative in many respects of the various computer subsystem(s) of the present invention. Accordingly, several portions of subsystem 102 will now be discussed in the following paragraphs.

[0020] Subsystem 102 may be a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a netbook computer, a personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating with a client subsystem via network 114. Program 300 is a collection of machine-readable instructions and / or data for creating, managing, and controlling certain software functions, which are discussed in detail below in the Exemplary Embodiments subsection of this Detailed Description section.

[0021] Subsystem 102 can communicate with other computer subsystems via network 114. Network 114 can be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or a combination of both, and can include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections. In general, network 114 can be any combination of connections and protocols that support communication between server and client subsystems.

[0022] Subsystem 102 is shown as a block diagram with a number of double arrows. These double arrows (without separate reference numerals) represent a communication structure that provides communication between the various components of subsystem 102. The communication structure can be implemented with any architecture designed to transfer data and / or control information between processors (such as microprocessors, communication and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within the system. For example, the communication structure can be implemented at least in part with one or more buses.

[0023] Memory 208 and permanent storage 210 are computer-readable storage media. In general, memory 208 may include any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer-readable storage media. It should also be noted that now and / or in the near future: (i) external device(s) 214 can provide some or all of the memory for subsystem 102; and / or (ii) devices external to subsystem 102 can provide memory for subsystem 102.

[0024] Program 300 is stored in persistent storage 210 for access and / or execution by one or more of the corresponding computer processors 204, typically through one or more memories of memory 208. Persistent storage 210: (i) is at least more permanent than a signal in transit; (ii) stores the program (including its soft logic and / or data) on a tangible medium (such as a magnetic or optical domain); and (iii) is much less permanent than persistent storage. Alternatively, data storage may be more permanent and / or more permanent than the type of storage provided by persistent storage 210.

[0025] Program 300 may include machine-readable and executable instructions and / or substantive data (i.e., the type of data stored in a database). In this particular embodiment, permanent storage 210 includes a magnetic hard drive. To name some possible variations, permanent storage 210 may include a solid-state hard drive, a semiconductor memory device, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or any other computer-readable storage medium capable of storing program instructions or digital information.

[0026] The media used by permanent storage 210 may also be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 210. Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer to another computer-readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage 210.

[0027] In these examples, communications unit 202 provides communications with other data processing systems or devices external to subsystem 102. In these examples, communications unit 202 includes one or more network interface cards. Communications unit 202 can provide communications using one or both of physical and wireless communications links. Any software modules discussed herein can be downloaded to a persistent storage device such as persistent storage device 210 via a communications unit such as communications unit 202.

[0028] The I / O interface set 206 allows for input and output of data with other devices that can be locally connected in a manner that is in data communication with the server computer 200. For example, the I / O interface set 206 provides a connection to an external device set 214. The external device set 214 typically includes devices such as a keyboard, a keypad, a touch screen, and / or some other suitable input device. The external device set 214 may also include a portable computer-readable storage medium, such as, for example, a thumb drive, a portable optical or magnetic disk, and a memory card. Software and data (e.g., program 300) for implementing embodiments of the present invention may be stored on such a portable computer-readable storage medium. In these embodiments, the relevant software may (or may not) be loaded into the persistent storage device 210 in whole or in part via the I / O interface set 206. The I / O interface set 206 is also connected to the display device 212 in data communication.

[0029] Display device 212 provides a mechanism for displaying data to a user and may be, for example, a computer monitor or a smartphone display screen.

[0030] The programs described herein are identified based on the applications in which they are implemented in specific embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that any specific program terminology herein is used only for convenience, and thus the present invention should not be limited to use only in any specific application identified and / or implied by such terminology.

[0031] The description of various embodiments of the present invention has been given for the purpose of illustration, but it is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terms used herein are selected to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications, or technical improvements existing in the market, or to enable other persons of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0032] II. Example Embodiments

[0033] Figure 2 A flow chart 250 describing a method according to the present invention is shown. Figure 3 A procedure 300 is shown for performing at least some of the method operations of flowchart 250. In the course of the following paragraphs, reference will now be made extensively to Figure 2 (for method action blocks) and Figure 3 (For software blocks) to discuss the method and the associated software.

[0034] Processing begins at operation S255, where a plurality of data transfer vehicles are provided. In some embodiments of the present invention, the data transfer vehicles are constructed and configured to be fully mobile in a range of potentially unstable environments (e.g., environments affected by natural disasters). In some embodiments, the data transfer vehicles may include drones and / or automated robotic machines designed to traverse uneven terrain (such as geographic areas affected by earthquakes).

[0035] Processing proceeds to operation S260, where a determine vehicle location module ("mod") 305 actively positions a plurality of data transfer vehicles near the first machine and the second machine. In some embodiments of the present invention, in order to ensure that any transfer of data between machines is performed efficiently and effectively, mod 305 determines the optimal distribution and placement of data transfer vehicles in a given environment. In certain disaster recovery areas, it is necessary for data transfer vehicles to be able to quickly access certain time-sensitive data stored on machines that are unable to transfer that data.

[0036] Processing proceeds to operation S265, where the data transfer condition mod 310 determines that a condition exists that prevents the first machine from transmitting data to the second machine. In some embodiments of the invention, the condition is a condition where the data transfer capability of the machine is not feasible or possible. For example, in one instance, the condition may be as simple as the first machine being out of the near field communication (NFC) range of the second vehicle, but the terrain in which the first machine is located cannot be easily traversed due to a natural disaster (or other less impactful event). In another example, the condition may be that network connectivity in a given area is inoperable due to a natural disaster event.

[0037] Processing proceeds to operation S270, where the collect encrypted data mod 315 collects encrypted data from the first machine. Processing finally proceeds to operation S275, where the transmit encrypted data mod 320 transmits the collected encrypted data (discussed above in conjunction with operation S270) from the first machine to the second machine.

[0038] III. Further Notes and / or Examples

[0039] In order to initiate machine-to-machine communication, a communication protocol such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, near field communication, etc. is usually required. In this case, the machines with the communication protocol may include (multiple) vehicles and / or other automated machines. In order to perform activities in a collaborative manner, the machines communicate with each other. If the distance between the machines is greater than a threshold limit, machine-to-machine data transmission will not be possible in a poor network environment, and data transmission will also be difficult.

[0040] In various situations where there may not be any Wi-Fi communication or an Internet connection may not be available, at the same time, the machines that need to communicate with each other may be placed outside the Bluetooth range. In this case, the machines will not be able to communicate with each other to perform a given activity in a collaborative manner.

[0041] Embodiments of the present invention provide the following advantages, features and / or characteristics:

[0042] (1) Physical device data transfer (device to device). In any multi-machine ecosystem, if any machine and / or (multiple) other data sources cannot transfer data to another machine and / or computing system due to network connectivity issues for any reason (e.g., out of range, Wi-Fi unavailability, etc.), some embodiments of the present invention use physical data transfer tools to transfer data and information from one machine and / or computing system to another machine and / or computing system to perform machine to machine (multiple) workflows.

[0043] (2) Sending physical devices to predicted and / or projected data points. According to some embodiments, based on the amount of data generated from any machine and / or computing system and the need to transfer data to another machine and / or computing system, the data transfer vehicle will actively position itself near the data generation source to collect the required data and transfer the collected data to the data transfer vehicle. In this way, the data transfer vehicle can transfer the required data to the target machine and / or computing system.

[0044] (3) Data encryption. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the sending machine and / or system encrypts the required data and assigns a public key to it. Additionally, the target machine and / or computing system receives a private key for encrypted data verification before transmitting the required data from the data transmission vehicle.

[0045] (4) Collection equipment for projected data interaction. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a data transmission vehicle moves near a predefined boundary to interact with different machines and / or systems of a multi-machine ecosystem and identifies which machine or system is generating the required data, to which machine the required data will be transmitted, and / or how much time is required to transmit the required data from the generating machine to the target machine.

[0046] Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to the operation of data transfer vehicles within predefined boundaries including machines within a multi-machine ecosystem. According to some embodiments of the present invention, for any given data transfer vehicle, the surrounding area is limited to a predetermined distance from another data transfer vehicle. The predefined distance may be the communication range of a specified active communication channel. Where there are more than two data transfer vehicles, the surrounding area may be defined by the limits of the communication range of each of the included data transfer vehicles, such that the boundaries of the surrounding environment may take one of a variety of shapes, as long as each data transfer vehicle is within the communication range of at least one other data transfer vehicle. By ensuring that the communication distance is maintained, the possibility of collaborative data transfer activities is possible.

[0047] (5) Predictive intelligent workflow of machines and / or devices within range. Some embodiments of the present invention relate to tracking whether machines and / or computing systems are able to communicate with each other to execute a given workflow. In some embodiments of the present invention, if the proposed system identifies that there is a network problem, a data transfer tool is activated to initiate data transfer from a source machine to a target machine.

[0048] (6) Risk of network loss or machine failure given a device mission. Some embodiments of the present invention involve learning based on historical adverse network events and how target machines / systems were reached under such conditions. Thus, some embodiments of the present invention involve tracking which machines and / or systems are affected based on the type of network problem and the duration of the event in order to predict the need for alternative data transfers and deploy data transfer vehicles to designated source computers.

[0049] (7) Multiple data transmission devices. Within a given predefined boundary, there may be multiple data transmission tools such that the data transmission tools can cooperate with each other and create an optimized movement path that creates a possible movement for the data to be transmitted in the shortest possible time. Some embodiments of the present invention relate to switching collected data for transmission over a distance that exceeds a reference distance at which a data transmission vehicle can communicate, such as exceeding the range of a given Wi-Fi network. By cooperating between data transmission vehicles, a series of data transmission vehicles operating within the boundaries of a corresponding Wi-Fi network or other communication channel boundaries transmit the collected data from one machine to another machine at a greater distance than would be possible if the communication range was limited. In the event that a preferred communication channel is not operable and the collected data must be sent from a data collection point or computing device to another computing device, a situation may arise where the distance for transmitting the collected data is very long.

[0050] (8) Device communication priority. Some embodiments of the present invention consider the priority of data communication assignments so that data transfer vehicles are deployed when more than one computing device cannot communicate over the network. This is done to ensure that the appropriate processes are completed in the sequential manner required by the basic process rather than a simplified first-in-first-out (FIFO) process.

[0051] (9) Data transmission for analysis. Some embodiments of the present invention extend to physically transmitting the required data to a centralized station via an edge network or edge node (such as a computing node) so that the required data can be used for analysis and instructions can be received into a specific multi-machine ecosystem.

[0052] The following operations provide a step-by-step detailed description of various aspects of the present invention to provide useful details on how to utilize some embodiments of the present invention:

[0053] (1) SETUP - Some embodiments of the present invention are deployed when machine-to-machine communication is required to perform a specific task. In any multi-machine and / or computing system environment, machine-to-machine communication may be required when performing computing and / or other activities that require a communication network.

[0054] (2) SETUP - Synchronous Device-to-Device Workflow. In some embodiments of the present invention, machine-to-machine communication may be required to perform certain tasks in a synchronized manner so that the tasks are performed in a sequential workflow.

[0055] (2)(a) According to some embodiments of the present invention, machines in the ecosystem have a machine-to-machine communication system through which machines exist in a given environment and can communicate with each other.

[0056] (2)(b) According to some embodiments of the present invention, the system will identify whether machine-to-machine communication is possible, or whether the communication system is functional within a given surrounding or predefined area or boundary.

[0057] (3) Context of the Environment According to some embodiments of the present invention, the system identifies tasks performed in the surrounding area and identifies machine-to-machine communications as required to complete the tasks.

[0058] (4) Monitoring of the surrounding environment. Some embodiments of the present invention utilize a camera module to scan a surrounding area or a predefined boundary to identify the relative positions of different machines within a multi-machine ecosystem.

[0059] (5) Image Analysis According to some embodiments of the present invention, the image analysis module analyzes images captured by the camera of the camera module to identify the types of different machines and their relative positions and distances to each other.

[0060] (6) Machines performing unique assigned tasks - Each machine may have unique data requirements. Each machine performing a task or subtask identifies the need to share certain data or information with other machines within the ecosystem.

[0061] (7) Predicted Communications. Some embodiments of the present invention identify whether machine-to-machine communications are feasible in certain situations.

[0062] (8) Data Transfer Vehicle: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a data transfer vehicle for transferring required data from one machine to another machine in a designated multi-machine ecosystem.

[0063] (9) Video feed for transmitting vehicle. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the data transmitting vehicle has an attached camera module for determining the relative positioning of the machine in the surrounding area.

[0064] (10) Smart Workflow - Identifies the requirements for data transfer requests. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a multi-machine ecosystem provides for determining whether any digital communications are to be established between and / or among the various machines in order to properly complete a given workflow(s).

[0065] (11) Machine Communication Requirements. According to some embodiments of the present invention, each machine signals or otherwise identifies whether the given machine needs to communicate with other machines in the ecosystem.

[0066] (12) Data requirements for transfer. Some embodiments of the present invention identify what information or instruction sets are to be transferred from one machine to other machines in the ecosystem.

[0067] (13) Video Stream - Identification of Location and Stream Specifications Based on the information generated from the various camera modules (multiple), the relative locations of different machines can be identified.

[0068] (14) Dynamic Mobility - Continuously Moving Machines and Equipment: Ambient data transmission vehicles move around a predefined perimeter, communicating with every machine within the perimeter, or in some examples, within the entire specified perimeter.

[0069] (15) Identification of machine-to-machine data movement. Some embodiments of the present invention identify whether any machine needs to transfer data to any other system in the ecosystem.

[0070] (16) Network Awareness: Some embodiments of the present invention identify whether a communication network is available for establishing machine-to-machine communication.

[0071] (17) Data Transfer Failure - is the next best mobility mode. According to some embodiments of the present invention, if communication is determined to be impossible, the data transfer vehicle moves within the ecosystem, carrying the required data to facilitate machine-to-machine communication when the primary communication channel is interrupted.

[0072] (18) Data transport device - moving towards a target destination. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a data transport vehicle collects data from any machine in the ecosystem and travels towards a target machine to which the required data will be transferred.

[0073] Some embodiments of the present invention include the following characteristics, features and / or advantages: (i) providing a "risk event RISKEVENT"; (ii) utilizing an image analysis module that takes into account vehicles typically placed in an environment based on an analysis of markings on the vehicles; (iii) determining the best way to perform data transmission based on the type and brand of vehicles that may have known deficiencies and defects in the vehicles; and (iv) continuously collecting communication data and communication results to determine the exact terms and signals used during communication.

[0074] Figure 4Diagram 400 is a context diagram showing how various machines communicate with a data transfer tool. Diagram 400 includes the following components: machine 402, machine 404, machine 406, machine 408, data transfer vehicle 410, data transfer vehicle 412, data transfer vehicle 414, and data transfer vehicle 416.

[0075] Diagram 400 also illustrates that a data transfer vehicle will receive data from one machine and send that same data to another machine using a physical vehicle (e.g., a drone or field robot). In one embodiment, a data transfer vehicle 410 (which may be a drone) is shown moving in the surrounding environment to better determine the need to transfer data. In one embodiment, machine 402 and machine 406 are shown far enough away from each other that the two machines are outside of their wireless communication range. In this case, data transfer vehicles 410, 412, 414, and / or 416 may be used to transfer encrypted data from machine 402 to machine 406. Additionally, in one embodiment, a data transfer vehicle 416 is shown transferring encrypted data received from another machine (not shown) to machine 408.

[0076] In some embodiments of the invention, machines 402, 404, 406, and 408 comprise mobile vehicles. However, in embodiments where machines 402, 404, 406, and 408 are mobile vehicles, these machines are not considered "data transfer vehicles" for purposes of this document. Additionally or alternatively, machines 402, 404, 406, and 408 are fixed computing system(s) (i.e., computing systems(s) that are not structured and configured to move themselves from a first location to a second location - such as isolated computing systems, a group of cloud computing servers, etc.).

[0077] It is important to note that the use of the term “machine” (as used throughout this document—such as machines 402 , 404 , and 408 ) is intended to be a conceptually separate term from the term “data transfer vehicle” (as used throughout this document—such as data transfer vehicles 410 , 412 , 414 , and 416 ).

[0078] IV. Definitions

[0079] The present invention: should not be taken as an absolute indication that the subject matter described by the term "the present invention" is covered by the claims as filed, or by claims that may eventually issue subsequent to a patent application; while the term "the present invention" is used to help the reader gain a general sense that the disclosure herein is believed to be potentially novel, as indicated by the use of the term "the present invention", that understanding is tentative and provisional and is subject to change during the course of patent prosecution as relevant information develops and the claims are potentially amended.

[0080] Examples: See above for the definition of "the present invention" - similar caveats apply to the term "examples".

[0081] And / or: Inclusive or; for example, A, B "and / or" C means at least one of A or B or C is true and applicable.

[0082] Include / Contain / Have: Unless expressly stated otherwise, this means “including but not necessarily limited to”.

[0083] User / Subscriber: includes but is not necessarily limited to: (i) a single individual person; (ii) an artificial intelligence entity with sufficient intelligence to act as a user or subscriber; and / or (iii) a group of related users or subscribers.

[0084] Data Communications: Any type of data communications scheme now known or developed in the future, including wireless communications, wired communications, and communications routes having both wireless and wired portions; data communications are not necessarily limited to: (i) direct data communications; (ii) indirect data communications; and / or (iii) data communications in which the format, packetization state, medium, encryption state, and / or protocol remain constant throughout the data communications.

[0085] Receive / Provide / Send / Input / Output / Report: Unless expressly specified otherwise, these words should not be taken to imply: (i) any particular degree of directness regarding the relationship between their object and subject; and / or (ii) the absence of intervening components, actions and / or things between their object and subject.

[0086] No substantial human intervention: A process that occurs automatically (typically through the operation of machine logic, such as software) with little or no human input; some examples of "no substantial human intervention" include: (i) a computer is performing complex processing, and due to a power outage in the power grid, a human switches the computer to a backup power source so that processing continues uninterrupted; (ii) a computer is performing resource-intensive processing, and a human confirms that the resource-intensive processing should indeed be performed (in this case, the confirmation process considered independently is with substantial human intervention, but the resource-intensive processing does not include any substantial human intervention, although a simple yes-no style confirmation by a human is required); and (iii) using machine logic, the computer has made a weighted decision (e.g., a decision to land all aircraft in anticipation of severe weather), but the computer must obtain a simple yes-no style confirmation from a human source before implementing the weighted decision.

[0087] Automatically: without any human intervention.

[0088] Module / Sub-module: Any collection of hardware, firmware, and / or software that works operatively to perform a function, regardless of whether the module is: (i) in a single local proximity; (ii) distributed over a wide area; (iii) in a single proximity within a larger software code segment; (iv) located within a single software code segment; (v) located in a single storage device, memory, or medium; (vi) mechanically connected; (vii) electrically connected; and / or (viii) connected in a data communication manner.

[0089] Computer: Any device with significant data processing and / or machine-readable instruction reading capabilities, including but not limited to: desktop computers, mainframe computers, laptop computers, field programmable gate array (FPGA) based devices, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), body mounted or embedded computers, embedded device type computers, and application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) based devices.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising: providing a plurality of data transfer vehicles, each of the plurality of data transfer vehicles being constructed and configured to transfer encrypted data from a first machine to a second machine; positioning the plurality of data transfer vehicles around the first machine and the second machine in a proactive manner such that data transfer operations can be performed in an efficient manner; determining that a first condition exists that prevents the first machine from performing a data transfer operation to the second machine; responsive to the determination that the first machine is unable to perform the data transfer operation to the second machine, collecting, by the first data transfer vehicle, a set of encrypted data stored on the first machine; as well as The set of encrypted data stored on the first machine is transmitted to the second machine by the first data transmission vehicle.

2. The CIM of claim 1, wherein the first condition that prevents the first machine from performing a data transfer operation to the second machine is that the Wi-Fi capability of the first machine is impaired due to an adverse network event.

3. The CIM of claim 1, wherein the first condition that prevents the first machine from performing a data transfer operation to the second machine is that the first machine is outside a threshold near field communication (NFC) range for communicating with the second machine.

4. The CIM of claim 1, wherein the active positioning of the plurality of data transfer vehicles is based at least in part on an amount of data that needs to be transferred. 5 . The CIM of claim 1 , wherein the active positioning of the plurality of data transmission vehicles is based at least in part on a time sensitivity of the data transmissions.

6. The CIM of claim 1, wherein the active positioning of the plurality of data transfer vehicles is based at least in part on availability of the data transfer vehicles.

7. A computer program product (CPP), comprising: a machine-readable storage device; as well as Computer code stored on the machine-readable storage device, the computer code comprising instructions and data for causing a set of processors (or multiple sets) to perform operations including the following: providing a plurality of data transfer vehicles, each of the plurality of data transfer vehicles being constructed and arranged to transfer encrypted data from a first machine to a second machine, positioning the plurality of data transfer vehicles around the first machine and the second machine in a proactive manner such that data transfer operations can be performed in an efficient manner, determining that a first condition exists that prevents the first machine from performing a data transfer operation to the second machine, responsive to the determination that the first machine cannot perform the data transfer operation to the second machine, collecting, by the first data transfer vehicle, a set of encrypted data stored on the first machine, and The set of encrypted data stored on the first machine is transmitted to the second machine by the first data transmission vehicle.

8. The CPP of claim 7, wherein the first condition that prevents the first machine from performing a data transfer operation to the second machine is that Wi-Fi capabilities of the first machine are impaired due to an adverse network event.

9. The CPP of claim 7, wherein the first condition that prevents the first machine from performing a data transfer operation to the second machine is that the first machine is outside a threshold near field communication (NFC) range for communicating with the second machine.

10. The CPP of claim 7, wherein the active positioning of the plurality of data transfer vehicles is based at least in part on an amount of data that needs to be transferred.

11. The CPP of claim 7, wherein the active positioning of the plurality of data transmission vehicles is based at least in part on a time sensitivity of the data transmissions.

12. The CPP of claim 7, wherein the active positioning of the plurality of data transfer vehicles is based at least in part on availability of the data transfer vehicles.

13. A computer system (CS), comprising: (multiple) processor sets; a machine-readable storage device; as well as Computer code stored on the machine-readable storage device, the computer code comprising instructions and data for causing the set of processors (multiple) to perform operations including: providing a plurality of data transfer vehicles, each of the plurality of data transfer vehicles being constructed and arranged to transfer encrypted data from a first machine to a second machine, actively positioning the plurality of data transfer vehicles around the first machine and the second machine so that data transfer operations can be performed in an efficient manner, determining that a first condition exists that prevents the first machine from performing a data transfer operation to the second machine, responsive to the determination that the first machine cannot perform the data transfer operation to the second machine, collecting, by the first data transfer vehicle, a set of encrypted data stored on the first machine, and The set of encrypted data stored on the first machine is transmitted to the second machine by the first data transmission vehicle.

14. The CS of claim 13, wherein the first condition that prevents the first machine from performing a data transfer operation to the second machine is that a Wi-Fi capability of the first machine is impaired due to an adverse network event.

15. The CS of claim 13, wherein the first condition that prevents the first machine from performing a data transfer operation to the second machine is that the first machine is outside a threshold near field communication (NFC) range for communicating with the second machine.

16. The CS of claim 13, wherein the active positioning of the plurality of data transfer vehicles is based at least in part on an amount of data that needs to be transferred.

17. The CS of claim 13, wherein the active positioning of the plurality of data transmission vehicles is based at least in part on a time sensitivity of the data transmissions.

18. The CS of claim 13, wherein the active positioning of the plurality of data transfer vehicles is based at least in part on availability of the data transfer vehicles.

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