Data Channel Setup Latency Reduction via Control Message Embedding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communications systems often experience significant latency when establishing a data channel between devices, particularly when one or both devices are mobile, due to the exchange of control messages along a control channel, which can hinder communication efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The method involves sending control messages with embedded data prior to establishing a data channel, using techniques like hole-punching and Diffie-Hellman key exchange, and encrypting key information to facilitate secure and efficient data transfer once the channel is established, allowing for reduced setup latency and secure data exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If control messages are exchanged along a control channel to establish a data channel, then secure communication link can be established, but latency in establishing the data channel increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure communication linkVSAvoiddata channel establishment latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by embedding data in control messages during the channel establishment phase. Control messages carry payload data that can be decrypted and processed before the data channel is fully established, effectively performing useful work during the setup latency period rather than idle waiting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous useful action by allowing data transmission to begin during the control channel phase. Instead of waiting for complete data channel establishment, the system continuously transmits and processes data throughout the entire establishment sequence, eliminating idle time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Adaptability or versatility

If control messages are used to establish data channel, then communication protocol compliance is maintained, but communication efficiency decreases due to latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol complianceVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control message function with data transmission function. Control messages serve dual purposes: establishing the communication protocol compliance while simultaneously carrying payload data, thereby combining two separate communication phases into one integrated process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes control messages multi-functional by enabling them to carry both control information for protocol compliance and payload data for actual communication. This universal approach allows the same message structure to serve multiple purposes, improving overall system productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If data is sent only after data channel establishment, then data security is maintained, but data transfer latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoiddata transfer latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary data transmission during the control channel establishment phase. Data is encrypted and embedded in control messages, allowing the receiving device to decrypt and prepare data before the formal data channel is established, effectively performing data transfer actions in advance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments data transmission into two phases: initial data transmission during control message exchange (using temporary keys) and continued transmission after channel establishment (using permanent keys). This segmentation allows early data delivery while maintaining security through key management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2439905B1Data channel set up latency reduction
Publication Date: 2013.06.05 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2439905B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2439905B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2439905B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A method is disclosed for reducing setup latency in commencing data exchange between two devices 110, 120 seeking to exchange data across a networked data channel 130. Control messages are exchanged across a control channel 140 while establishing the data channel 130 according to a protocol. The control messages contain some of the data to be exchanged. The remaining data is exchanged across the data channel 130 once established. The data both in the control messages and exchanged across the data channel 130 may be tagged with a file transfer identifier to facilitate reconstruction of the data at the receive end. If data encryption is desired, the data in the control messages may be encrypted by the sender with a temporary key and a shared key may be established by the devices 110, 120. Once the key has been established, the temporary key may be encrypted with the shared key and exchanged across the data channel 130 to permit decryption of the data in the control messages at the receive end.