Mobile Content Discovery Using Bloom Filters and Tree Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing peer-to-peer content distribution systems for mobile communications nodes, such as satellite navigation devices, are inefficient due to short-lived connections, poor connection quality, and limited processing resources, making it difficult to update and disseminate content in a simple, reliable, fast, and cost-effective manner.

Innovation Solution

A content discovery and transfer system using data structures like Bloom filters and a single tree-based data structure, allowing mobile nodes to identify and transfer files efficiently, even in dynamic environments, by broadcasting adverts and using cryptographic file certificates for verification, and employing a process that minimizes communication round trips.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If content is stored locally at mobile communications nodes, then content availability is improved, but memory resource requirements increase and content freshness becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent availabilityVSAvoidmemory resource requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments content into different categories (frequently accessed vs. rarely accessed) and stores them differently - frequently accessed content is cached locally while rarely accessed content remains on servers, resolving the contradiction between local availability and memory requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes storage parameters based on content access patterns and node capabilities, adjusting what content is stored locally versus remotely to optimize both availability and resource usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If on-demand content download is implemented, then memory resource usage is reduced, but communication costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory resource usageVSAvoidcommunication costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary content transfer during periods of high connectivity and low cost, pre-loading content into local caches before it is needed, thereby reducing on-demand communication costs while maintaining local availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Content synchronization operates continuously in the background during available connectivity windows rather than only on-demand, maintaining an up-to-date local cache that reduces future communication requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If content is updated continually to keep it fresh, then content relevance is improved, but system complexity and update overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent freshnessVSAvoidupdate overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where nodes report their content state and receive updates only when necessary, with servers tracking which nodes need which updates, thereby maintaining content freshness while reducing unnecessary update overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of updating all content at all nodes continuously, the system performs partial updates only where and when needed based on content changes and node-specific requirements, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Loss of energy

If peer-to-peer content transfer is used, then infrastructure costs are reduced, but connection quality and transfer reliability worsen due to short-lived connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrastructure costsVSAvoidtransfer reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary handshaking and connection establishment during stable periods, preparing transfer parameters and routing information in advance so that actual content transfer can occur quickly during brief connectivity windows without requiring prolonged stable connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates and distributes multiple copies of content across different nodes in the network, so that if one peer-to-peer connection fails, alternative copies can be transferred through different routes, improving reliability without requiring expensive centralized infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2308247B1Content discovery and transfer between mobile communications nodes

Publication Date: 2017.10.11 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

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AI summary

Content discovery and content transfer between mobile communications nodes is often required, for example, to synchronize maps, traffic hot spot information and the like for vehicle mounted satellite navigation devices, pedestrian hand-held personal digital assistants and other mobile communications nodes. In an embodiment, content discovery processes using data structures designed in particular ways and sent using a single packet enable nodes to identify files to be transferred whilst keeping overheads down. In an embodiment a first and a second data structure are used, each being formed from slightly different information about a subset of the files to be synchronized. In another embodiment a single tree-based data structure is used. A process for transferring data between two mobile communications nodes is also described.