Mini-Server Network Topology for Airline Passenger Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airplanes face challenges in providing new or improved digital services to passengers due to stringent regulations and difficulties in maintaining or updating on-board servers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a network topology that utilizes mobile/handheld mini-servers in a cluster, providing isolation between client devices and bidirectional synchronization between mini-servers, allowing for the hosting of content and services without the need for on-board server updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If on-board servers are used to provide digital content and services, then services can be provided to passengers, but maintenance and updates become burdensome and time-consuming due to regulatory constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops) as portable copies of server functionality. Each mobile device runs a mini-server application that replicates the content delivery and service provision capabilities of traditional on-board servers, allowing multiple distributed copies to serve passengers simultaneously without requiring maintenance of centralized on-board server infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive, easily replaceable mobile devices instead of expensive, regulated on-board servers. These mobile devices can be readily updated, replaced, or upgraded without regulatory approval, effectively treating them as disposable or easily renewable resources that eliminate maintenance burdens associated with permanent server installations
2Adaptability or versatility
If new server equipment or software updates are installed on the airplane, then improved services can be provided, but regulatory constraints make installation difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static, fixed on-board server installations to dynamic, mobile server deployments. Mobile devices can be freely moved, added, or removed from the aircraft environment, allowing services to adapt dynamically to passenger needs and technical advancements without the constraints of permanent installations or regulatory approval processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of server location from fixed (on-board) to mobile (passenger-held devices). This parameter change enables rapid deployment of new services through software updates on mobile devices rather than physical server installations, eliminating time-consuming regulatory approval processes while maintaining service improvement capabilities
3Device complexity
If a centralized on-board server is used, then network management is simplified, but the system lacks redundancy and isolation between client devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized server function into multiple distributed mini-servers running on individual mobile devices. Each mobile device operates as an independent server instance, creating a segmented network architecture that provides redundancy (multiple servers can serve if one fails) and isolation (each server is independently secured) while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized communication protocols
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for redirecting a client device from a server to a mini-server are disclosed herein. Initially, the client device establishes a connection with the server. The server provides a landing page to the client device, where the landing page is programmed to include an element that, when selected, redirects the client device away from its connection with the server. In response to a selection of the element, the client device establishes a connection with the mini-server. The mini-server is part of a first local area network (LAN), and, as a result of switching networks, the client device is now a part of a second LAN. The two LANs are connected to one another via a network bridge. The mini-server is able to receive input from the client device and synchronize that input across other mini-servers in the first LAN in order to redundantly store the input.