Edge Queueing and Selective Forwarding for Interrupted WAN Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Devices connected to a local network experience disruptions when accessing a wide area network (WAN) due to intermittent connections, leading to interruptions in data transmission and increased costs, especially in metered or data-capped scenarios, without efficient solutions for selective forwarding and queueing.

Innovation Solution

A network device positioned between the local and wide area networks temporarily stores data transmissions during interruptions and selectively forwards them when the connection is restored, using a forwarding rules engine to prioritize and manage data based on various criteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data transmissions are sent during connection interruptions, then network reliability is improved, but data loss and errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork reliabilityVSAvoiddata loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The network device performs preliminary actions by detecting connection status before data transmission. When a connection interruption is detected, the device proactively stores incoming data transmissions in local storage memory before the actual data loss occurs, rather than waiting for transmission failures to happen

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network device acts as an intermediary between local devices and the WAN. It intercepts data transmissions intended for the WAN, stores them locally when connections are interrupted, and forwards them when connections are restored, thereby mediating the data flow to prevent loss during connection issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If data is stored during connection interruptions, then data loss is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata lossVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a conventional network router and as a storage device with queueing capabilities. By integrating storage memory and queueing logic into the existing network device infrastructure, the solution avoids requiring separate dedicated storage systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If all data transmissions are forwarded immediately when connection is restored, then productivity is improved, but network costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidnetwork costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The forwarding behavior of the network device is dynamic rather than static. When the WAN connection is restored, the device dynamically adjusts its forwarding rate based on current network conditions, cost considerations, and data priority levels. The queueing logic enables selective forwarding where critical data is transmitted first while less urgent data can be delayed to periods of lower cost or higher bandwidth availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters based on connection status and cost conditions. During connection interruptions, the forwarding parameter shifts from immediate transmission to stored queueing. When connections are restored, the parameter changes to controlled forwarding based on data priority and cost optimization, rather than uniform immediate transmission of all stored data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If connection status is continuously monitored, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Connection status monitoring is implemented as periodic action rather than continuous monitoring. The network device checks connection status at regular intervals or triggered by specific events (such as attempted data transmissions), reducing the constant energy drain of continuous monitoring while still maintaining sufficient awareness of connection status to trigger appropriate queueing and forwarding actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12627523B2Selective forwarding, prioritization, and queueing by edge devices

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 INSIGHT DIRECT USA INC

AI summary

A method of selectively forwarding data transmissions to a wide area network includes receiving, from at least one local device and by a network device interposed between the at least one local device and the wide area network, first and second data transmissions intended for first and second destination addresses, respectively, accessible through the wide area network, detecting that a connection between the network device and the wide area network has been interrupted, storing the first data transmission and the second data transmission to a storage device electronically connected to the network device, and detecting that the connection has been restored. The method further includes generating a forwarding order by analyzing the first data transmission and the second data transmission using a forwarding rules engine, the forwarding order describing an order in which to transmit the first data transmission and the second data transmission.