Mobile Data Sharing Server for Peer-to-Peer Transactions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile data sharing solutions fail to effectively address the issue of users lacking a satisfying mobile Internet connection due to lack of data plans, consumed data limits, high roaming costs, and congested networks, as they do not provide a viable market for data exchange between users.

Innovation Solution

A system that enables users to find and connect with each other to share mobile data through an application that automates the process of buying and selling surplus data, using a server to facilitate transactions and ensure secure, mutually beneficial exchanges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If users purchase additional mobile data from the operator, then the user's mobile data availability is improved, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobile data volumeVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Users with surplus data act as service providers, automatically sharing their unused mobile data with buyers through the system. The seller's device autonomously manages data sharing, authentication, and billing without requiring manual intervention or traditional operator mediation, enabling users to monetize their surplus data while buyers access affordable data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A centralized server acts as an intermediary between buyers and sellers, facilitating secure transactions, authentication, and data management. The server coordinates the peer-to-peer data sharing, handles billing information exchange, and ensures trustworthy interactions without users needing to directly negotiate or trust each other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users share data through traditional tethering mechanisms, then connectivity is provided, but the system complexity and security management increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata sharing capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized server mediates all tethering connections, handling authentication, billing verification, and session management. This eliminates the need for complex peer-to-peer negotiation protocols between devices, as the server coordinates all interactions and maintains centralized control over connection parameters and security policies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where the server monitors data consumption, validates billing information, and dynamically adjusts connection parameters. Buyers and sellers receive real-time updates about data usage, connection status, and billing information, enabling automated decision-making without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a centralized server coordinates all interactions, then fraud prevention and security are improved, but the system requires extensive information exchange infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefraud preventionVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized server serves as a trusted intermediary that verifies billing information, authenticates users, and coordinates all data sharing transactions. By concentrating security functions in a single centralized system rather than distributing them across multiple devices, the infrastructure complexity is reduced while maintaining strong fraud prevention capabilities through centralized control and verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3420680B1Market for selling and sharing mobile data
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3420680B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3420680B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3420680B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for setting up a connection between a seller device (10) and a buyer device (30) for enabling the buyer device (30) to send and receive data via the seller (10). The method comprises sending, from the seller device (10) to a server (20), data pertaining to an offer (12), the data pertaining to the offer including an identification of the seller device (10); storing the data pertaining to the offer (12) in a memory of the server (20), the memory being configured to store data pertaining to at least one offer from a at least one seller device; sending, from the buyer device (30) to the server (20), a request (32) for a list of nearby seller devices; at the server (20), compiling, from the data pertaining to the at least one offer stored in the memory, the list of nearby seller devices, by identifying one or more seller devices being positioned in proximity of a position of the buyer device (30), the list of nearby seller devices comprising the data pertaining to the offers of the identified one or more seller devices; sending, from the server (20) to the buyer device (30), the list of nearby seller devices; and sending, from the buyer device (30) to at least one of the seller devices (10) of the list of nearby seller devices, a connection request (36) for connecting the buyer device (30) to the at least one of the seller devices (10), thereby enabling the buyer device(30) to send and receive data via the seller device (10).