Hotspot Cache Server Proxy Download Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of multimedia-capable mobile devices face inefficiencies in downloading or streaming large content files over cellular networks due to high costs and low speeds, prompting the need for a method to pre-order and cache content files for cost-efficient access at hotspots with higher speed connections.
Innovation Solution
A system involving a cache server at hotspots that receives proxies from mobile devices, downloads content files from content providers, and stores them locally for automatic transfer when the user arrives, allowing for seamless and cost-efficient access without requiring immediate connection to the content provider.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mobile users download large content files over cellular networks, then access is available while traveling, but cost and speed are inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows users to pre-order and select content files while traveling on cellular networks, then automatically downloads and caches the files at hotspots when the user arrives. This preliminary selection action resolves the contradiction by enabling users to initiate the download process at any location while maintaining cost efficiency by actually downloading at the lower-cost hotspot location.
Solution Approach 2:
The cache server at the hotspot acts as an intermediary between the content provider and the mobile user. It receives the proxy request from the user's mobile device, downloads the content file from the content provider, and stores it locally for the user to access. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient hotspot downloads while maintaining the convenience of being able to select content from any location.
2Loss of energy
If users wait until arriving at the hotspot to select and download content files, then cost efficiency is improved, but user convenience and accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to perform the content selection and ordering action in advance while traveling, rather than waiting until they arrive at the hotspot. The mobile device creates a proxy request containing user identification, content file identification, and expected arrival time information, which is then automatically processed at the hotspot. This preliminary action maintains both cost efficiency and user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the mobile device sends proxy requests to the hotspot cache server, and the server responds with confirmation and status information. This feedback loop ensures that the content file is ready for download when the user arrives, maintaining convenience while achieving cost efficiency through advance preparation.
3Reliability
If the cache server downloads content files immediately upon receiving the proxy, then availability at hotspot is ensured, but system capacity and timing flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cache server dynamically adjusts its download timing based on system capacity, priority queues, and arrival predictions. Rather than immediately downloading all content, the server can prioritize downloads based on user arrival times, network conditions, and server capacity. This dynamic approach ensures content availability while maintaining system capacity and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cache server receives and stores proxy requests in advance, preparing the infrastructure for future downloads. This preliminary preparation allows the server to handle multiple users and content requests efficiently when they actually arrive, ensuring reliability without immediately consuming system capacity.
4Ease of operation
If the mobile device synchronizes with the cache server upon arrival at the hotspot, then automatic file transfer is enabled, but authentication and synchronization complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device automatically performs synchronization and file transfer without requiring manual user intervention. The device uses its own identification information to authenticate with the cache server and initiates the download process automatically based on the pre-sent proxy request. This self-service mechanism enables automatic transfer while minimizing the complexity burden on the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization process uses feedback mechanisms where the mobile device exchanges identification information with the cache server, and the server responds with authentication status and file availability information. This feedback loop enables automatic authentication and transfer while managing complexity through structured communication protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
Remote site downloading of content to a hotspot occurs by way of a cache server, which, when networked the hotspot, processes download, order proxies received from remote content provider servers or content user mobile devices. The cache server stores content files downloaded over the Internet from the content provider servers according to the proxies, and delivers content files to the appropriate mobile devices when they sign in at the hotspot. For example, a set top box at a hotspot can receive an instant message which includes a data set, including cookies, from a personal data assistant. There after, the set top box can download a movie from a movie vendor web site which has been previously ordered and paid for by a user using the personal data assistant over a cellular network, and then wirelessly transmit the movie to the personal data assistant using Wi-Fi protocol when it arrives at the hotspot and is authenticated.