Edge Node AR Content Delivery via Proximity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for delivering high-resolution augmented reality content to mobile devices face challenges with high latency due to the inefficiencies in current infrastructure, which can disrupt the seamless overlay of virtual content onto the real world, especially in location-based augmented reality applications.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a content delivery network that identifies and directs edge nodes to store specific subsets of augmented reality data based on geographic location and user demographics, allowing for proximate nodes to quickly deliver data to mobile devices, thereby reducing latency and improving network efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If traditional content delivery networks are used to deliver high-resolution augmented reality content, then content can be delivered to mobile devices, but high latency occurs due to large amounts of data moving slowly through sprawling networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata delivery speedVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the content delivery network into multiple distributed edge nodes geographically positioned throughout the service region. Each edge node stores and delivers content locally, dividing the monolithic network into smaller, faster segments that reduce data travel distance and latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning augmented reality content at geographically distributed edge nodes before user requests arrive. This advance distribution eliminates the need to fetch content from centralized servers during actual use, dramatically reducing delivery latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If high-resolution augmented reality content is delivered through traditional networks, then content can reach mobile devices, but the sprawling network structure causes data to move slowly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent delivery reliabilityVSAvoiddata transmission speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces edge nodes as intermediary elements between centralized content sources and end-user mobile devices. These intermediaries cache and locally serve content, acting as mediators that speed up delivery while maintaining reliability through distributed redundancy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a spatial dimension to content delivery by distributing edge nodes across geographic locations rather than relying on a single centralized network structure. This dimensional transformation allows content to be delivered from the nearest edge node, reducing network path length and improving speed.

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

3Device complexity

If content is delivered from centralized servers, then network management is simplified, but latency increases due to the distance data must travel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork management complexityVSAvoiddata delivery time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized server model into multiple distributed edge nodes, each independently capable of serving content. While this increases structural complexity, automated provisioning and coordination mechanisms manage the distributed system, trading manageable complexity for dramatically reduced delivery time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3503502B1Systems and methods for delivering augmented reality content
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 META PLATFORMS INC
  • EP3503502B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3503502B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3503502B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosed computer-implemented method may include (i) identifying, by a content delivery network, (a) a set of edge nodes that are managed by the content delivery network and that are distributed in a plurality of physical locations and (b) a set of augmented reality data, (ii) directing each edge node in the set of edge nodes to store a subset of the set of augmented reality data that is designated for use at a physical location that is serviced by the edge node, (iii) detecting a request from a mobile device for an item of augmented reality data, (iv) selecting a node within the set of edge nodes based at least in part on a proximity of the node to the mobile device, and (v) directing the node to send the item of augmented reality data to the mobile device. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.