Adaptive File Transfer System for Bandwidth-Constrained Networks

Solution Overview

Problem

Current data transfer methods over cellular systems often result in increased costs and longer data acquisition times due to the use of low-speed networks, as users are not always aware of the file contents and cannot make informed decisions about data transfer, especially when larger files are involved.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine the current network bandwidth and transmit a smaller version of a file over low-speed networks, allowing users to access the original file when a high-speed network is available, while informing the user of the file contents and enabling cost-saving choices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large file is transferred over a low-speed network, then the user can access the file, but the data acquisition time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile transfer completionVSAvoiddata acquisition time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The file is divided into multiple versions with different sizes and quality levels. The system segments the file transfer process by providing a summary version first, then allowing the user to download additional detailed versions as needed, rather than transferring the complete large file immediately

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by transmitting a summary or reduced version of the file before the user actually needs the complete version. This preliminary transfer allows the user to preview content and make informed decisions about whether to download the full file, thereby avoiding unnecessary large data transfers over slow networks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a large file is transferred over a low-speed network, then the user can access the file, but the cost to the user increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile transfer completionVSAvoiddata transfer cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The file is divided into multiple versions with different sizes and quality levels. The system segments the file transfer process by providing a summary version first, then allowing the user to download additional detailed versions as needed, rather than transferring the complete large file immediately

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by transmitting a summary or reduced version of the file before the user actually needs the complete version. This preliminary transfer allows the user to preview content and make informed decisions about whether to download the full file, thereby avoiding unnecessary large data transfers over slow networks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the user is not informed of the file contents, then the transfer process is simple, but the user cannot make an adequate determination whether to receive the file

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer process simplicityVSAvoidfile content information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by transmitting a summary or reduced version of the file before the user actually needs the complete version. This preliminary transfer allows the user to preview content and make informed decisions about whether to download the full file, thereby avoiding unnecessary large data transfers over slow networks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a summary copy or reduced version of the file that contains sufficient information for the user to evaluate the file contents without transferring the complete large file. This summary copy allows the user to make informed decisions while minimizing data transfer over slow networks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS7558198B2Method and apparatus for data transfer

Publication Date: 2009.07.07 GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A user will receive a variation of a particular file depending upon the type of network the user is currently accessing. More particularly, a user will typically receive a smaller version of a file when the user is accessing a low-bandwidth (low data rates) network, and can choose to receive a larger version of the file when the user accesses a high-bandwidth (high data rates) network. When several networks are available to the user either simultaneously or sequentially, the user will receive the optimum file version based on cost and quality preferences in the former case and may receive multiple versions of the file in the later case, each increasing in quality.