Edge Content Replication for Low-Latency Digital Uploads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques for distributing digital content over long distances involve multiple network hops, leading to significant latency issues, poor user experiences, and inefficient upload times due to the inability to optimize distribution based on network conditions.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing edge devices to store and replicate digital content across a network, generating unique identifiers for content, and broadcasting success responses to client devices, enabling efficient distribution by leveraging edge devices for low-latency access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional techniques are used for distributing digital content over long distances, then centralized storage and management are maintained, but significant latency issues and poor user experiences occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent availabilityVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized content distribution system into multiple distributed edge devices located geographically close to users. Each edge device stores and serves content independently, eliminating the single-point latency bottleneck of centralized systems while maintaining content availability through distribution across multiple nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces edge devices as intermediary nodes between centralized content sources and end users. These intermediaries cache and serve content locally, reducing the distance data must travel and thereby minimizing latency while preserving the ability to manage content centrally when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple network hops are used for content distribution, then content can reach distant users, but upload times become excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent distribution reachVSAvoidupload speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-caching content at edge devices before user requests arrive. This advance preparation eliminates the need for real-time long-distance data transmission during actual content delivery, significantly reducing perceived upload times while maintaining broad distribution capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-dimensional centralized distribution model to a multi-dimensional distributed edge network. Content is simultaneously available across multiple spatial dimensions (different edge locations), enabling both rapid local access and broad reach without requiring sequential network hops.

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

3Device complexity

If conventional centralized distribution is used, then system management is simplified, but scalability issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem management complexityVSAvoidscalability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where edge devices autonomously manage their own content caching and serving operations. Each edge device independently handles local requests and automatically synchronizes with the broader network when needed, enabling the system to scale without proportionally increasing management complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal edge devices that can function both as independent content servers and as coordinated network nodes. These multi-functional devices maintain standardized interfaces and protocols, allowing the system to scale from single-device to multi-device deployments without increasing operational complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4708823A1Distributing digital content with edge devices
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 EBAY INC
  • EP4708823A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4708823A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4708823A1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

In the implementation of techniques for distributing digital content with edge devices, a system receives a request including digital content from a client device for uploading the digital content. Based on the request, the system identifies a nearest edge device from a plurality of edge devices. The system transmits instructions to the nearest edge device to generate a unique identifier corresponding to the digital content and to store the digital content. The system initiates one or more requests to a predefined number of one or more edge devices from the plurality of edge devices to store the digital content. The system receives confirmation from the predefined number of one or more edge devices that the digital content is stored. The system generates a response including content corresponding to the unique identifier, which is usable to access the digital content stored. The system broadcasts the response to the client device.