Mobile Content Distribution via Peer-to-Peer Mesh
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The simultaneous access of a large number of mobile devices to a server for content distribution overloads the server and network, leading to computational and networking resource inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Mobile devices establish local non-cellular communication channels to download content items from other devices rather than directly from the server, reducing the computational and networking load on the server and network by distributing content through peer-to-peer connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large number of mobile devices simultaneously access a server for content distribution, then content installation can be performed, but the server and network become overloaded leading to computational and networking resource inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces peer mobile devices as intermediaries in the content distribution process. Instead of all devices connecting directly to the server, content is first downloaded by one device from the server, then propagated to other devices through peer-to-peer communication channels. This intermediary approach distributes the download load across multiple devices rather than concentrating it on the server, resolving the contradiction between maintaining distribution capability and reducing server/network resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the content distribution process into two distinct phases: (1) initial content acquisition from the server by one or more seed devices, and (2) subsequent content propagation to other devices through peer-to-peer channels. This segmentation separates the high-resource server access operation from the low-resource local distribution operation, allowing the system to maintain distribution productivity while minimizing server and network resource loss.
2Reliability
If all mobile devices download content items directly from the server, then content availability is ensured, but network bandwidth and server computational resources are excessively consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a copying mechanism where content items are first obtained from the server by one or more mobile devices, then copied and transmitted to other devices through peer-to-peer communication. This copying approach ensures content availability across the network while dramatically reducing the quantity of data that needs to be transmitted over the cellular network and processed by the server, as subsequent devices receive content from local peers rather than the remote server.
3Ease of operation
If mobile devices use cellular communication channels to download content from the server, then content distribution can be performed, but network load increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the content distribution system from a single-dimension hierarchical architecture (server → devices) to a multi-dimension mesh architecture where devices communicate through multiple channels: cellular channels for initial server access and local peer-to-peer channels for subsequent distribution. This dimensional change adds local wireless communication pathways, reducing dependency on cellular network bandwidth while maintaining automatic installation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a computer implemented method for distribution and installation of a content item on mobile devices, the method executed by a first mobile device, the method comprising: receiving from a server over a cellular communication channel, instructions for automatic installation of the content item, wherein the content item is stored by the server, transmitting to at least one second mobile device, a query to determine whether the at least one second mobile device has installed thereon the content item, establishing a non-cellular communication channel with a group of the at least one second mobile devices that have the content item installed thereon, receiving over the non-cellular communication channel, the content item from at least one member of the group of the at least one second mobile devices, automatically installing the content item according to the instructions, and presenting an indication of the automatically installed content item.