Intermediate Tunnel Nodes for Congestion-Resilient Content Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems over the Internet face challenges in efficiently managing network congestion, traffic load balancing, and unpredictable network behavior, leading to issues such as packet loss, duplication, and out-of-order delivery.
Innovation Solution
The use of intermediate nodes that function both as end-users and as intermediate nodes to improve communication efficiency by managing and optimizing network traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intermediate nodes are used to manage and optimize network traffic, then communication reliability and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling end-user devices to simultaneously function as both end-users and intermediate nodes. This allows devices to perform multiple roles: consuming network services while also providing traffic management, load balancing, and optimization functions for other devices. The dual functionality reduces the need for dedicated intermediate infrastructure while improving communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces software-based intermediate nodes that act as mediators between end-user devices and network infrastructure. These intermediate nodes manage traffic flow, perform load balancing, and optimize data transmission without requiring dedicated hardware infrastructure. The intermediary layer abstracts complex network management functions from end devices while maintaining simplicity at the user level.
2Productivity
If intermediate nodes manage network traffic to reduce congestion, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling devices to automatically perform traffic management and optimization functions without requiring complex configuration or external control. The intermediate nodes autonomously monitor network conditions, dynamically adjust traffic flow, and perform load balancing based on real-time network state. This self-managing capability improves communication efficiency while keeping device complexity manageable through automation.
3Loss of time
If end-user devices function as intermediate nodes, then loss of time is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring end-user devices with intermediate node capabilities and software agents. During device initialization, the system automatically installs and configures the necessary software components that enable traffic management functions. This preliminary setup allows devices to immediately participate as intermediate nodes without requiring complex manual configuration, thereby reducing data delivery time while maintaining ease of operation through automated provisioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for fetching a content from a web server to a client device is disclosed, using tunnel devices serving as intermediate devices. The client device accesses an acceleration server to receive a list of available tunnel devices. The requested content is partitioned into slices, and the client device sends a request for the slices to the available tunnel devices. The tunnel devices in turn fetch the slices from the data server, and send the slices to the client device, where the content is reconstructed from the received slices. A client device may also serve as a tunnel device, serving as an intermediate device to other client devices. Similarly, a tunnel device may also serve as a client device for fetching content from a data server. The selection of tunnel devices to be used by a client device may be in the acceleration server, in the client device, or in both. The partition into slices may be overlapping or non-overlapping, and the same slice (or the whole content) may be fetched via multiple tunnel devices.