Beacon-Based Direct Server Connection for Portable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network service providers face challenges in improving user experience due to distant server connections and service interruptions caused by server proxies, which lead to slow connections and potential service shutdowns when load exceeds capacity.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device and server connection method that uses beacons to establish direct connections with servers, eliminating the need for server proxies by parsing beacons to derive network addresses and transmitting connection requests, allowing for efficient flow distribution and data load balancing between servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a server proxy is used for network flow distribution and data load balance, then service functions can be provided across multiple servers, but connection speed deteriorates due to distant server connections and additional routing through the proxy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the server proxy component from the system architecture and replaces it with beacon-based direct connection establishment. Portable devices receive beacons from access points that contain server information, allowing devices to connect directly to servers without routing through a proxy, thus eliminating the speed penalty while maintaining service distribution capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces beacons as a new intermediary mechanism that carries server connection information from access points to portable devices. This beacon-based intermediary enables direct server discovery and connection, replacing the traditional server proxy intermediary and eliminating the additional routing hop that caused connection speed degradation
2Adaptability or versatility
If a server proxy is used for flow distribution, then load balance between servers can be achieved, but service reliability deteriorates when the proxy cannot bear the flow load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the server proxy from the architecture entirely, replacing it with a distributed beacon-based discovery mechanism. Each access point independently broadcasts beacons containing server information, eliminating the single point of failure that the proxy represented and ensuring service continuity even under high load conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables portable devices to independently discover and connect to servers using beacons received from access points, without requiring centralized proxy management. This self-service approach distributes the connection establishment process across all devices, eliminating the reliability bottleneck at the proxy and enabling the system to handle arbitrary flow loads
3Adaptability or versatility
If a server proxy is deployed for network management, then flow distribution is possible, but operational cost increases due to the additional infrastructure requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the server proxy infrastructure component, replacing it with a lightweight beacon-based discovery mechanism that uses existing access points. This removal of the proxy layer simplifies the overall infrastructure while maintaining network flow distribution capabilities through direct device-to-server connections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing access points serve dual functions: their original wireless access function plus beacon broadcasting for server discovery. By making access points universal components that perform multiple functions, the patent eliminates the need for separate proxy infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining flow distribution capability
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device including a network unit and a processing unit is provided. The processing unit is connected to the network unit. The processing unit determines whether a beacon is received through the network unit wirelessly. If the processing unit receives the beacon through the network unit, the processing unit parses the beacon to derive a network address of a server. The processing unit transmits a connection request to the server according to the network address through the network unit. The processing unit establishes a connection with the server through the network unit when receiving a confirmation signal in response to the connection request.