Local Device Geospatial Asset Sharing via Peer-to-Peer Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of geographic information systems (GIS) face limitations in accessing geospatial data, such as 3-D globes and 2-D maps, due to reliance on central or master servers that are often unavailable.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for sharing geospatial assets between local computing devices, where a device can act as a local server to store, register, and transmit geospatial assets, allowing other devices to discover and request these assets without needing a central server connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users rely on central or master servers to provide geospatial data, then data availability and organization are ensured, but system reliability deteriorates when central servers are unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized server system into distributed peer-to-peer connections between local devices. Each device can independently serve geospatial assets to other devices on the local network, eliminating the single point of failure represented by the central server. This segmentation directly improves access reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a local device as an intermediary between the geospatial asset source and the requesting device. Instead of direct client-server communication requiring central server availability, local devices act as intermediaries that can cache and serve assets locally, ensuring continuous access even when central servers are unavailable.
2Speed
If geospatial assets are stored centrally on master servers, then data consistency is maintained, but access speed and responsiveness deteriorate due to network dependencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having local devices pre-cache geospatial assets locally before they are needed. Devices store copies of frequently accessed assets on their local storage, enabling immediate retrieval without waiting for central server responses. This preliminary caching action significantly improves access speed while maintaining data consistency through selective updates.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a centralized server architecture is used, then ease of operation is maintained through unified access, but adaptability to offline and local network scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing local devices to perform multiple functions: they can act as clients requesting assets, as servers providing assets, and as peer intermediaries facilitating transfers. This multi-functionality enables the system to adapt to various network scenarios (online, offline, partial connectivity) while maintaining operational simplicity through consistent peer-to-peer interaction patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for sharing geospatial assets between local devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method may generally include storing a geospatial asset on a first local device. The first local device may include a processor and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configures the first local device to act as a local server. The method may also include transmitting with the local server data indicating the availability of the geospatial asset to be shared, receiving from a second local device a request to share the geospatial asset and sharing the geospatial asset with the second local device.