Method for transmitting a data packet from a sender to a receiver using at least one mobile data intermediary.

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for transmitting a data packet (2) from a sender (1) to a receiver (3) by means of at least one mobile data intermediary (6), comprising the steps of: transmitting the data packet (2) from the sender (1) to the mobile data intermediary (6) in a first area (4) by means of a short-range communication link (7); storing the data packet (2) in a storage device (8) of the mobile data intermediary (6); moving (9) the mobile data intermediary (6) from the first area (4) to a second area (5); transmitting the data packet (2) in the second area (5) from the mobile data intermediary (6) to the receiver (3) via a mobile communication link (10).

Description

[0001] The following invention relates to a method for transmitting a data packet from a sender to a receiver by means of at least one mobile data intermediary according to the applicable claim 1.

[0002] Since mobile network coverage is not 100% in all areas, and mobile devices, such as smartphones, have become an essential means of communication in everyday life, particularly with their messaging services, problems frequently arise where messages, such as text messages, do not reach their recipients or do not reach them in a timely manner. This can affect simple messages as well as emergency calls. Both small "offline zones," such as halls or buildings, and larger areas, such as wooded areas or entire regions, could be considered so-called dead zones, where the aforementioned problems can occur.

[0003] DE 10 2020 215 065 A1 relates to a method for transmitting data from a first participant to a third participant, wherein the method comprises the following steps performed by the third participant: receiving position data from the first participant and one or more second participants; calculating, based on the position data of the first participant and the one or more second participants, a transfer point for transmitting the data from the first participant to the second or one of the several participants; sending destination data of the transfer point at least to the first participant; and receiving the data from the second or one of the several second participants.

[0004] The disadvantage here is that if the first participant is located in an area with limited connectivity, position data cannot be transmitted, and therefore no data transfer can take place.

[0005] German patent DE 10 2017 011 766 A1 relates to a method for determining data between a server and a sender / receiver vehicle via a mobile communication connection, whereby a plurality of vehicles can be networked with each other via vehicle-to-vehicle communication. The method is characterized by the fact that, in the event that the sender / receiver vehicle does not have a mobile communication connection, the data is forwarded directly or indirectly between the sender / receiver vehicle and at least one other vehicle networked via vehicle-to-vehicle communication that does have a mobile communication connection, and is exchanged between this vehicle and the server.

[0006] However, a particular disadvantage is that if the other vehicle is also located in an area with limited connectivity, the data cannot be transmitted to the server.

[0007] DE 10 2022 104 973 B3 relates to a communication device and a method for providing a communication connection from a motor vehicle to a computer network.The method comprises sending a connection request to network-enabled devices in the vicinity of the vehicle if the connection quality is below a predetermined threshold; receiving device data from the respective network-enabled device by the communication device in response to the connection request, wherein the device data includes at least the connection quality to the computer network and / or the vehicle; generating a prioritization list in which the network-enabled devices are prioritized based on the device data, at least with regard to the connection quality to the vehicle and / or the computer network; and providing the communication link from the vehicle to the computer network via at least one of the network-enabled devices that is listed in the prioritization list according to a predetermined ranking.

[0008] In summary, it can be stated that, based on the current state of technology, there is a need to be able to reliably transmit data packets from a sender located in an area of ​​limited connectivity to a corresponding receiver.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for transmitting a data packet from a sender to a receiver by means of at least one mobile data intermediary, by means of which the disadvantages of the prior art are overcome, in particular that a data packet can still be reliably transmitted from the sender, which is located in an area of ​​limited connectivity, to the receiver.

[0010] This problem is solved by a method according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for transmitting a data packet from a sender to a receiver using at least one mobile data intermediary. The data packet is transmitted from the sender to the mobile data intermediary in a first area via a short-range communication link. The data packet is stored in a storage device of the mobile data intermediary. The mobile data intermediary is then moved from the first area to a second area. The data packet is then transmitted from the mobile data intermediary to the receiver in the second area via a mobile communication connection.

[0012] In particular, the invention consists in the fact that, with the help of other devices, which are also located, for example, in the first area, which corresponds to an offline zone, the data to be sent is collected and, as soon as a device leaves the first area and is outside the "dead zone" in the second zone, the collected data, for example messages from the messenger service, is then sent to the desired recipient.

[0013] In particular, the invention describes a method in which the mobile data intermediary in an offline zone, i.e., the first area, serves as a data intermediary to transmit messages from the sender in the "dead zone" to the receiver outside the first area. The transmitted data is temporarily transported from the sender to the receiver via the data intermediary from the first area to the second area, which is configured as an online zone and thus has connectivity. The mobile data intermediary(ies) can, for example, be other mobile devices, such as smartphones, which serve as intermediaries in areas with "poor reception," such as doctors' offices or halls. Similarly, vehicles with mobile phone connectivity can serve as intermediaries in dead zones, such as forested areas or areas with network outages.The use of a mobile phone as a data intermediary in a motor vehicle is of course also possible.

[0014] An offline zone, or in other words, the first area, is an area where at least limited or no wireless network reception, such as for a cellular connection, is available, or where the transmitter cannot connect to the network. In an offline zone, no or only minimal data can be transmitted or received via a cellular connection, and access to online resources is not possible. The first area is therefore specifically an area with reduced / limited connectivity. In contrast, an online zone, or the second area, is an area where a wireless network, particularly a cellular connection, is available and a transmitter can connect to the network. In an online zone, data can be transmitted and received, and access to online resources is possible.In summary, an offline zone describes an area without wireless network reception or connection, while an online zone describes an area with available wireless network and connectivity.

[0015] Short-range communication is particularly independent of network reception and can therefore also be used in the first area with reduced connectivity between the sender and the mobile data intermediary.

[0016] This has the particular advantage of providing higher availability compared to permanently installed alarm systems. This enables the mobile transmission of messages / data packets to bridge the data transfer gap between the first and second areas. Furthermore, the method according to the invention allows not only emergency messages but also private messages from the sender in the first area to be transmitted to the receiver. Moreover, the data packets or messages can be sent even with insufficient network availability in the first area.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment, a Bluetooth connection and / or a local network connection is used as the short-range communication link. In particular, the data packet can thus be transmitted from the sender to the mobile data transmitter via Bluetooth and / or a local network, for example, via a local Wi-Fi network. Therefore, especially in the first area, which represents a dead zone or offline area, the data packet can be reliably transmitted from the sender to the mobile data transmitter using established communication methods that are independent of network reception.

[0018] Another advantageous design provides that after the data packet has been transmitted to the recipient, it is deleted from the storage device. In particular, this frees up storage space so that further data packets can be stored. Thus, the process can be carried out with minimal storage requirements.

[0019] It has also proven advantageous if the data packet is transmitted by the mobile data intermediary within the first area to at least one other data intermediary. For example, other data intermediaries may be located within the first area. The mobile data intermediary can then transmit the data packet accordingly to the other data intermediary. This creates redundancy. For example, if the other data intermediary reaches the second area first, the data packet can be transmitted by that intermediary, thus enabling faster transmission. The mobile data intermediary can then suppress transmission of the data packet, preventing it from being transmitted again.

[0020] Another advantageous implementation involves an identification message being transmitted from the mobile data intermediary to the sender. In other words, the mobile data intermediary can identify itself to the sender as a mobile data intermediary. This informs the sender that a mobile data intermediary is nearby and can, for example, receive the data packet. This enables the sender to reliably transmit the data packet to the recipient via the mobile data intermediary.

[0021] It has also proven advantageous for the mobile data intermediary to confirm receipt of the data packet to the sender. For example, the mobile data intermediary can generate a corresponding confirmation of receipt and transmit it to the sender. This informs the sender that the mobile data intermediary has received the data packet and is moving from the first to the second area. This ensures that the sender is reliably notified that the data packet can be transmitted.

[0022] In another advantageous embodiment, the data packet is transmitted in an application layer of the short-range communication link. Specifically, the actual transmission of the data packet from sender to receiver does not occur entirely via the lower layer in the ISO-OSI model, but rather via the application layer. The application layer is the top layer of the OSI reference model for network communication. This layer provides the user interface and enables applications to use network services. The application layer offers a range of protocols that allow applications to send and receive data over a network. The application layer is responsible for the transmission of data between application processes, regardless of the type of network communication used.It offers a unified interface for applications, regardless of the details of the underlying support layers. This has the advantage that a proprietary message can be physically transported from the first area to the second area using a mobility system, such as a vehicle or a person, without requiring an additional layer model. By utilizing the application layer, the transport of a proprietary message or notification from the first area to the second area is enabled without the need for an additional layer model. The advantage of this approach is that no additional layer model is required to transmit the message from the sender to the receiver. Instead, the message can be passed directly from the sender to the mobile data intermediary and then transmitted to the receiver in the second area without the need for further processes or layers.In summary, this approach enables the transport of a proprietary message from the sender to the receiver by eliminating the need for an additional layer model and utilizing the mobile data intermediary to transmit the message.

[0023] It has also proven advantageous to deploy the mobile data transmitter as a vehicle. This vehicle can be equipped with, for example, the necessary storage device as well as receiving and transmitting equipment. The vehicle can be operated automatically or manually. It can then be located in the first area and receive the data packet, move from the first area to the second area, and then transmit the data packet to the recipient. This ensures reliable data packet transmission.

[0024] Another advantageous configuration involves providing the mobile data intermediary as a mobile device. For example, the mobile device could be a smartphone. If, for instance, a person with such a mobile device moves from one area to another, the mobile device can be used as a mobile data intermediary. The mobile device could also be located in a vehicle and, for example, connected to it. This allows for highly reliable data packet transmission.

[0025] Another advantageous configuration involves storing the data packet in a storage device configured as a ring buffer. A ring buffer is a storage mechanism in which data is stored in a continuous ring. This is, for example, a first-in-first-out (FIFO) structure, which is characterized by its fast access time and low latency. Additionally, data prioritization can be implemented in a ring buffer by using it to implement a priority queue. Here, the data is divided into multiple queues, each with a specific priority assigned to it. Data from higher-priority queues is processed or transmitted preferentially, while data from lower-priority queues must wait. Thus, the ring buffer can be used to store and retrieve data quickly and efficiently.By using data prioritization, more important data streams can be processed preferentially, while less important data streams must wait. This allows the data packet to be further prioritized accordingly in the ring buffer.

[0026] Another aspect of the invention relates to a mobile data intermediary for transmitting a data packet from a sender to a receiver. The mobile data intermediary comprises at least one receiving device for receiving the data packet, one transmitting device for sending the data packet, and one storage device. Furthermore, the mobile data intermediary is configured to establish a short-range communication connection to the sender and a mobile communication connection to the receiver.

[0027] Advantageous configurations of the process are to be considered advantageous configurations of the mobile data intermediary. The data intermediary possesses tangible features to enable it to carry out the corresponding process steps. For example, the data intermediary may have a corresponding electronic computing device.

[0028] In the present disclosure, a computing unit / electronic computing device can be understood, for example, as a data processing device with processing circuits. A computing unit can therefore perform arithmetic operations to process data. These arithmetic operations can also include indexed access to a data structure, such as a lookup table (LUT).

[0029] A computing unit may, in particular, comprise one or more computers, one or more microcontrollers, and / or one or more integrated circuits, for example, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or one or more systems on a chip (SoCs). The computing unit may also include one or more processors, for example, one or more microprocessors, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more graphics processing units (GPUs), and / or one or more signal processors, in particular one or more digital signal processors (DSPs). The computing unit may also comprise a physical or virtual cluster of computers or other units of the aforementioned type.

[0030] A processing unit can also include one or more hardware and / or software interfaces and / or one or more memory units. A memory unit can be implemented as volatile data storage, for example as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or static random access memory (SRAM), or as non-volatile data storage, for example as read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or flash EEPROM, or ferromagnetic random access memory (FRAM).a magnetoresistive random access memory, MRAM (magnetoresistive random access memory), or a phase-change random access memory, PCRAM (phase-change random access memory).

[0031] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the procedure and are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, according to the procedure, an error message and / or a request for user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0032] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

[0033] The following describes exemplary embodiments of the invention. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1. A schematic flowchart according to one embodiment of the method; and Fig. 2. A further schematic flowchart according to one embodiment of the method.

[0034] The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention that can be considered independently of one another. Each of these features further develops the invention independently and can therefore be considered part of the invention individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by other features of the invention already described.

[0035] In the figures, functionally identical elements are each provided with the same reference symbols.

[0036] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the method. In particular, a sender 1 of a data packet 2 for a receiver 3 is shown. The sender 1 is located in a first area 4, which can be described as an offline zone, i.e., it has reduced connectivity. The receiver 3 is located in a second area 5, which can be described as an online zone.

[0037] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the data packet 2 is transmitted from the sender 1 to the receiver 3 via a mobile data transmitter 6. The transmission of the data packet 2 from the sender 1 to the mobile data transmitter 6 in the first area 4 takes place via a short-range communication link 7. The data packet 2 is stored in a storage device 8 of the mobile data transmitter 6. The mobile data transmitter 6 is then moved 9 from the first area 4 to the second area 5, and the data packet 2 is transmitted from the mobile data transmitter 6 to the receiver 3 via a mobile communication link 10.

[0038] This shows Fig. 1. In particular, the mobile data transmitter 6 can, for example, be configured as a motor vehicle 11. Alternatively, the mobile data transmitter 6 can also be provided as a mobile terminal device. The motor vehicle 11 can also be moved automatically from the first area 4 to the second area 5. Alternatively, the motor vehicle 11 can also be moved manually.

[0039] The data packet 2 can be stored in particular in a storage device 8 designed as a ring buffer.

[0040] Furthermore, it may be provided that a Bluetooth connection and / or a local network connection is used as the short-range communication link 7. It may also be provided that after the data packet 2 has been transmitted to the receiver 3, the data packet 2 is deleted from the storage device 8.

[0041] Furthermore, it can be provided that an identification message 12 is transmitted by mobile data intermediary 6 to sender 1. Additionally, the receipt of data packet 2 by mobile data intermediary 6 can also be confirmed accordingly for sender 1.

[0042] Furthermore, it may be provided that data packet 2 is transmitted in an application layer of the short-range communication link 7.

[0043] In particular, it can be provided, for example, that motor vehicles 11 within the first area 4 act as data intermediaries. A connection is established to motor vehicle 11, and motor vehicle 11 collects the relevant data from transmitter 1 or transmitters 1. When motor vehicle 11 is in the second area, data can be exchanged, for example, via LTE / GSM or Wi-Fi to the actual receiver 3. As already suggested, a motor vehicle 11 can act as a mobile data intermediary 6, which can, for example, overcome a dead zone in wooded areas or a network outage. Furthermore, it is also possible for a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, to act as an intermediary, so that, for example, the data packet 2 can be transmitted even in areas with poor reception.

[0044] The physical transmission of data packet 2 takes place primarily as so-called digital mail without return receipt. Motor vehicles 11 located within range of sender 1 serve as mobile data intermediaries 6. Within the offline zone, motor vehicles 11 can forward the data packets 2 to further mobile data intermediaries 13 ( Fig. 2) transmit. The transmission is primarily unidirectional. The actual transfer of data packet 2 from sender 1 to receiver 3 does not occur via one of the lower layers in the ISO-OSI, but rather in the application layer. This allows, for example, in emergencies, the simple sending of messages without dialogue or response.

[0045] In particular, a storage management system can be provided so that data packets 2 are stored appropriately, duplicate entries are prevented, and old entries are discarded, especially by creating a ring buffer. After data packet 2 is sent to recipient 3, the corresponding messages are deleted.

[0046] Fig. Figure 2 again shows a schematic flowchart according to one embodiment of the method. In the following exemplary embodiment, it is shown in particular that the data packet 2 can be transmitted to a plurality of mobile data intermediaries 6, 13. The data packets 2 can be sent by the sender 1 to all currently available mobile data intermediaries 6, 13. Furthermore, a comparison 14 can be made between all currently available mobile data intermediaries 6, 13. In addition, a new data intermediary 16, in particular a data intermediary moved into the first area 4, can also receive the corresponding data redundantly as redundancy 15.

[0047] In summary, mobile data intermediaries 6, 13, and 16 are intended to serve as data intermediaries in the first area 4, relaying messages from sender 1, for example, from a dead zone, to receiver 3. The data packets 2 are temporarily transported from sender 1 to receiver 3 via mobile communication using data intermediary 6, moving them from the dead zone to the online zone. The mobile data intermediary 6 could, for example, be a mobile phone acting as an intermediary in areas with poor reception, such as doctors' offices or halls. Alternatively, the mobile data intermediary 6 could be a vehicle 11 equipped with a mobile network connection, serving as an intermediary in dead zones, such as forested areas or regions with network outages. The combination of a mobile phone and a vehicle 11 is, of course, also possible as a mobile data intermediary 6.

[0048] The system specifically envisages that, for example, sender 1 is located in the first zone 4, where they wish to send a message, such as a messenger message. This zone is also continuously traversed by vehicles 11. That is, the vehicles 11 enter and exit the first zone 4. These vehicles 11 are then used as mobile data transmitters 6, so that sender 1 initially sends their message to the potential mobile data transmitter 6 within the first zone 4. This point-to-point connection can be established using common transmission protocols, such as local Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. When the vehicle 11 leaves the first zone 4, these transmission requests are picked up by the vehicle 11, or rather by the mobile data transmitter 6, to subsequently send them to the actual receiver 3 outside the first zone 4.

[0049] Since bidirectional communication between sender 1 and receiver 3 is not possible, the procedure can be understood as digital mail without reply, for example in an emergency simply sending a message without dialogue or reply.

[0050] Within the first area 4, the mobile data intermediary 6 can also distribute the data package 2 to other mobile data intermediaries 13.

[0051] Communication is primarily unidirectional. The actual transmission of user data from sender 1 to receiver 3 does not occur continuously via one of the lower ISO-OSI layers, but rather within the application layer. This has the advantage that a proprietary message can be physically transported from the offline zone to the online zone by my mobility system, for example, vehicle 11, or by a person, without further intervention in the layered model.

[0052] In other words, it is specifically intended that the mobile data intermediary 6 is located within its physical operating range and can interact with the transmitter 1. Using a standardized bidirectional protocol, the transmitter 1 can send its message to the mobile data intermediary 6. This message is initially stored in the ring buffer of the mobile data intermediary 6. The receipt of the message by the mobile data intermediary 6 can be acknowledged by the transmitter 1, thus providing the transmitter 1 with information about the successful transmission to the mobile data intermediary 6. If the mobile data intermediary 6 leaves the first area 4 within its physical operating range and moves into the second area 5, the message can be sent to the actual receiver 3. Here, a standardized bidirectional transmission can again be used.If the message is successfully sent, it is deleted from the ring buffer of the mobile data intermediary 6.

[0053] The Fig. Figure 2 again shows a redundant option. Here, the transmission data within the first area 4 is distributed to all potential data intermediaries 6, 13, 16 and duplicated within them. This can originate from the actual sender 1, but the data intermediaries 6, 13, 16 can also distribute their transmission requests among themselves. If one or more data intermediaries 6, 13, 16 leave the first area 4, the data can be sent redundantly to the receiver 3. A transmission / message identifier allows the message to be identified and, in case of duplicate reception, ignored accordingly. Reference symbol list 1 transmitter 2 data packets 3 recipients 4 first area 5 second area 6 mobile data providers 7. Short-range communication link 8 Storage setup 9 Movement 10 Mobile phone connection 11 Motor vehicle 12 Identification message 13 other data brokers 14. Comparison 15 Redundancy 16 new data brokers QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2020 215 065 A1

[0003] DE 10 2017 011 766 A1

[0005] DE 10 2022 104 973 B3

[0007]

Claims

[1] Method for transmitting a data packet (2) from a sender (1) to a receiver (3) using at least one mobile data intermediary (6), comprising the steps: - Transmitting the data packet (2) from the sender (1) to the mobile data intermediary (6) in a first area (4) by means of a short-range communication link (7); - Storing the data packet (2) in a storage device (8) of the mobile data intermediary (6); - Moving (9) the mobile data transmitter (6) from the first area (4) to a second area (5); - Transmission of the data packet (2) in the second area (5) from the mobile data intermediary (6) to the receiver (3) via a mobile communication connection (10). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that a Bluetooth connection and / or a local network connection is used as the short-range communication link (7). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that after the data packet (2) has been transmitted to the recipient (3) the data packet (2) is deleted from the storage device (8). [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the data packet (2) is transmitted by the mobile data intermediary (6) within the first area (4) to at least one further data intermediary (13). [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that an identification message (12) is transmitted as a mobile data intermediary (6) from the mobile data intermediary (6) to the sender (1). [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the receipt of the data packet (2) at the mobile data intermediary (6) is confirmed for the sender (1). [7] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the data packet (2) is transmitted in an application layer of the short-range communication link (7). [8] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the mobile data intermediary (6) is provided as a motor vehicle (11). [9] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the mobile data intermediary (6) is provided as a mobile terminal. [10] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the data packet (2) is stored in a storage device (8) designed as a ring buffer.

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