Geographic Address Relay Logic for Linear Mesh Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flooding strategies in mesh networks, particularly in networks with a linear topology, result in inefficient resource usage and potential interference due to unnecessary message relaying, without considering the physical topology.

Innovation Solution

Assign each node device a unique network address based on its geographic location, allowing it to make informed relay decisions by comparing its address with the source and destination addresses, thereby optimizing message relaying and reducing unnecessary transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional flooding strategy is used for message relaying in mesh network, then messages can be distributed to all nodes, but system resource usage increases significantly and interference is created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage deliveryVSAvoidsystem resource usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making relay decisions node-specific based on local geographic information. Each node evaluates its own position relative to source and destination to determine whether to relay, rather than uniformly relaying all messages. This selective approach reduces overall system resource consumption while ensuring reliable delivery only where necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by having nodes continuously monitor and compare their geographic addresses with source and destination addresses. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic relay decisions - nodes adjust their relaying behavior based on real-time position information, reducing unnecessary transmissions while maintaining message delivery reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If conventional flooding strategy is used for message relaying in linear topology network, then messages reach all nodes, but resource waste reaches up to 50%

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage deliveryVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

In linear topology networks, the patent applies local quality by having each node evaluate its specific position in the linear arrangement. Nodes compare their geographic addresses to determine if they lie on the path between source and destination. Only nodes with appropriate position relationships relay messages, eliminating the 50% resource waste inherent in conventional flooding while ensuring messages reach their destination efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the relaying parameter from binary (relay or not relay) to conditional relaying based on geographic address comparison. By introducing position-based criteria, the system transforms the relaying behavior to match the linear topology characteristics, significantly improving communication efficiency while maintaining delivery reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If nodes relay messages without considering physical topology, then simple relay protocol is used, but unnecessary transmissions create interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay protocol simplicityVSAvoidcommunication interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces geographic address comparison as an intermediary mechanism between the simple relay protocol and the physical topology. This intermediary layer adds minimal computational overhead while effectively filtering out unnecessary transmissions that would cause interference. The solution maintains protocol simplicity by using straightforward address comparison logic rather than complex routing algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4238329B1A method of and a node device for relaying a message in a network of operatively interconnected node devices
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP4238329B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4238329B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4238329B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method of and a node device for relaying a message in a network of operatively interconnected node devices arranged along at least one elongated geographic track is disclosed. Each node device is provisioned with a unique network address associated with a geographic location of the node device in the network. The method comprising the steps of: receiving, by a relay node device having a relay network address, a message originated from a source node device having a source network address and destined to a destination node device having a destination network address; determining, by the relay node device, to relay the received message, based on a relationship between the relay network address, the source network address and the destination network address, and relaying, by the relay node device, the message by retransmitting the received message.