Mesh Packet Forwarding Through Intermediate Mobile Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems fail to provide reliable connectivity when cellular, satellite, and Internet connections are unavailable, as they do not effectively enable communication between unattached mobile devices without a network connection.
Innovation Solution
A mesh network system that allows unattached mobile devices to communicate by forwarding packets through a local mesh of interconnected devices, using a module comprising a mesh forwarder, crypto-manager, and message-operator to determine packet destinations, establish connections, and manage packet forwarding lists, ensuring delivery of text messages, images, and other data content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mesh network is implemented to enable communication between unattached devices, then connectivity reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the communication function into modular components: a mesh forwarder module for packet routing, a crypto-manager module for security operations, and a message-operator module for message handling. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the complex mesh networking capability to be implemented through manageable, independent segments that can be selectively activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate nodes (relay devices) that act as mediators between unattached devices and the destination. These intermediate nodes receive packets from unattached devices, store them temporarily, and forward them when connections become available, thereby enabling communication without requiring direct end-to-end connectivity.
2Ease of operation
If packet forwarding through multiple intermediate nodes is implemented, then communication range is improved, but transmission delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing and maintaining a mesh network topology in advance, pre-configuring routing paths and maintaining connection state information. When packets need to be forwarded, the routing decisions can be made quickly based on pre-established network knowledge, reducing the time penalty of multi-hop transmission.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mesh networking is implemented without network attachment, then system adaptability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial mesh networking functionality only when and where needed. Unattached devices activate mesh forwarding capabilities selectively when traditional network connections are unavailable, rather than continuously maintaining full mesh networking functionality. The crypto-manager module performs cryptographic operations only when packets are being forwarded, not continuously.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are presented in this disclosure that enable mobile devices without access to an active network connection (e.g. cellular, satellite or Internet network) to communicate between each other by sending and receiving data packets (e.g. text, location, or image) through a mesh of connected devices. A packet for forwarding is included into a mesh forwarding list at a mobile device, wherein the mesh forwarding list includes packets for forwarding to one or more mobile devices. The mobile device checks, in each packet within the mesh forwarding list, a list with at least one identifier of at least one wireless device that has already received the packet. The mobile device forwards the mesh forwarding list to the one or more wireless devices via at least one connection, based on the checked one or more identifiers.