Mesh Network Resource Conservation via Dynamic Relay Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

In mesh networks, the continuous transmission of keep-alive signals by user devices to maintain connections can lead to inefficient resource utilization, as these signals consume processing resources, memory, and network bandwidth even when devices are not actively communicating, resulting in unnecessary power consumption and potential data loss due to public port reallocation.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where devices determine downgrade triggering events, such as low data transmission rates or intervals, and transmit downgrade messages to switch from meshnet connections to relay connections, reducing the need for frequent keep-alive signals and conserving resources by periodically sending keep-alive signals only to the mesh network service provider.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If devices continuously transmit keep-alive signals to maintain meshnet connections, then connection reliability is improved, but resource consumption (processing resources, memory, network bandwidth, power) increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic keep-alive signal transmission instead of continuous transmission. Devices transmit keep-alive signals at predetermined intervals rather than continuously, which maintains connection reliability while significantly reducing power consumption and resource utilization during idle periods when no data communication occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the keep-alive signal transmission frequency based on communication activity. When devices are actively communicating data, keep-alive signals are transmitted more frequently; when no data communication occurs, the transmission frequency is reduced. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining connection reliability and conserving resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If devices continuously transmit keep-alive signals to maintain meshnet connections, then connection reliability is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic keep-alive signal transmission instead of continuous transmission. Devices transmit keep-alive signals at predetermined intervals rather than continuously, which maintains connection reliability while significantly reducing network bandwidth consumption during idle periods when no data communication occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If devices continuously transmit keep-alive signals to maintain meshnet connections, then connection reliability is improved, but processing resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing resource efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic keep-alive signal transmission instead of continuous transmission. Devices transmit keep-alive signals at predetermined intervals rather than continuously, which maintains connection reliability while significantly reducing processing resource consumption during idle periods when no data communication occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Use of energy by moving object

If devices use relay connections instead of meshnet connections, then resource consumption is reduced, but communication efficiency may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically selects between meshnet connections and relay connections based on real-time conditions. When meshnet connections are available and conditions are favorable, data is transmitted via meshnet for optimal efficiency; when resources need conservation or meshnet conditions are poor, the system switches to relay connections. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between resource consumption and communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12047301B2Conservation of resources in a mesh network

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 UAB 360 IT

AI summary

A method including monitoring, by a first device communicating meshnet data via a meshnet connection with a second device in a mesh network, occurrence of a triggering event indicating that the first device and the second device are to communicate the meshnet data via a relay connection; determining, by the first device, occurrence of the triggering event based at least in part on a rate of communication of the meshnet data via the meshnet connection; and transmitting, by the first device to the second device based at least in part on determining the occurrence of the triggering event, a message indicating that the first device and the second device are to communicate the meshnet data via a relay connection is disclosed. Various other aspects are contemplated.