Host Device Proxy for Mobile Client Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small mobile devices, such as smart watches and music players, often lack the power or hardware resources for effective network connectivity to wide area wireless networks, and wearable devices are frequently in motion, making efficient communication management complex.
Innovation Solution
A system where a host device with wide area network access, such as a smartphone, acts as a proxy to determine if data is available for a client device, establishing a connection only when data is available, thereby reducing unnecessary connections and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If small mobile devices attempt to connect to wide area wireless networks, then network connectivity is achieved, but power consumption increases and hardware resources are overwhelmed
Solution Approach 1:
A host device with sufficient hardware resources acts as an intermediary between the client device and the wide area network. The host device establishes the actual network connection and data transfer pathway, while the client device communicates through this intermediary without directly consuming the energy required for wide area network connectivity. This resolves the contradiction by enabling network access for resource-constrained devices through a mediating host that handles the power-intensive connection management.
2Loss of time
If wearable devices continuously check for data availability, then data is received promptly, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The host device performs preliminary actions by proactively checking for data availability from remote servers before the client device needs the data. When data is available, the host device notifies the client device and establishes a connection. This shifts the data checking burden from the resource-constrained client device to the host device with sufficient power resources, reducing the client's power consumption while maintaining prompt data delivery through advance checking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the host device monitors data availability and provides notifications to the client device when data is ready for transfer. This feedback loop allows the client device to remain idle (saving power) until notified of data availability, at which point connection is established. This resolves the contradiction by using feedback to trigger connections only when necessary, rather than continuous checking.
3Speed
If host device establishes connection with client device without checking data availability, then connection speed is fast, but unnecessary connections are created increasing power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The host device performs a preliminary check for data availability before initiating connection establishment with the client device. This preliminary action filters out cases where no data is available, preventing unnecessary connection attempts. When data is confirmed available, the connection is established quickly, maintaining speed while eliminating wasted energy on futile connection attempts.
Data Source
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AI summary
A host device may include a wireless interface for communications, a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and the wireless interface. The host may receive, via the wireless interface, an advertisement message from a client device. The advertisement message may include an identifier associated with the client and a request for communication of data from a cloud-based service. Responsive to the advertisement, the host may send the identifier to the cloud-based service. The host may receive from the cloud-based service, a proxy indication of available data associated with the client. Responsive to receiving the proxy indication of available data, the host may provide, via the wireless interface, a connection request including a client indication of the available data from the cloud-based service to the client. After receiving the available data from the service, the host may send the available data to the client.