Cooperative Download Grid for Mobile Memory Extension

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices with limited memory capacity face challenges in downloading large multimedia files, as they often lack sufficient space and time to complete the download without deleting other data, especially in scenarios where multiple devices are present but cannot cooperate for optimized downloading.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that enable multiple devices to form a cooperative download grid by partitioning files based on device properties, establishing communication sessions, and distributing file extents across devices using SIP protocol and local connectivity options like Bluetooth or WiFi, allowing parallel downloading and dynamic aggregation of devices for extended memory management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If memory capacity is extended by using larger memory cards, then storage space is improved, but cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory capacityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple mobile devices into a distributed storage system where each device participates in storing different portions of a file. Instead of relying on a single device with large memory capacity, the system combines the storage resources of multiple devices to achieve extended memory capacity, thereby avoiding the need for expensive and complex high-capacity memory cards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-device storage model to a multi-device distributed storage model, adding the dimension of network connectivity and device collaboration. This dimensional shift allows the system to overcome the memory capacity limitations of individual devices by leveraging the collective storage resources across multiple devices connected via network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If memory capacity is extended by using larger memory cards, then storage space is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory capacityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the storage capabilities of multiple standard-memory devices to replace the need for expensive high-capacity memory cards. By distributing the storage burden across multiple devices with standard memory, the overall cost is reduced compared to purchasing and implementing large-capacity memory expansion for a single device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs file partitioning and distribution, where copies of file portions are stored across multiple devices. This copying approach allows the system to achieve large storage capacity using multiple standard memory devices rather than relying on expensive high-capacity memory cards, thereby reducing overall system cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If single device downloads large multimedia files, then download completeness is ensured, but download time and memory pressure increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownload completenessVSAvoiddownload time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments large multimedia files into smaller portions and distributes them across multiple devices for simultaneous download. This segmentation enables parallel downloading operations, significantly reducing the total download time while maintaining completeness through coordinated file assembly at the destination device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges multiple concurrent download operations across different devices into a single coordinated file transfer process. By combining the download efforts of multiple devices working in parallel, the system achieves both reduced download time and guaranteed completeness through centralized coordination and file assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple devices are available but do not cooperate, then device independence is maintained, but download efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice independenceVSAvoiddownload efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic device selection and coordination mechanism that adapts to the available devices and their capabilities. The system dynamically establishes communication sessions, partitions files based on device properties, and coordinates downloads in real-time, thereby achieving high download efficiency while maintaining the flexibility and independence of individual devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms to monitor device status, available memory, and connection quality, using this information to dynamically adjust the download distribution strategy. This feedback-driven approach ensures optimal use of available devices while maintaining device independence, achieving high download efficiency through adaptive coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9723100B2Extending memory capacity of a mobile device using proximate devices and multicasting
Publication Date: 2017.08.01 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US9723100B2 patent drawing
  • US9723100B2 patent drawing
  • US9723100B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An improved download capability for mobile devices, without requiring increasing of the local memory of such devices, by providing a set of multimedia devices with the capability to create a cooperative download grid where multiple instrumented devices can be aggregated together according to predefined profiles. This capability is useful in at least two different scenarios. The first is when a SIP enabled device must download a large file having a capacity that is larger than the available memory of the SIP device. The second is when a SIP enabled device must download a file but cannot be connected for a long enough time to accomplish the download. If the SIP device is in proximity to other compatible devices such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), these devices are operable to be dynamically aggregated to provide a download grid with multiprotocol support that allows optimized downloading.