Mobile Device Content Caching and Peer-to-Peer Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G mobile networks face increased network traffic and complexity due to high-definition media streaming, necessitating efficient solutions to offload content distribution without escalating costs or network capacity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing methods and apparatus that utilize mobile devices for secondary content distribution by caching media content and enabling peer-to-peer connections, where mobile devices share cached content using proximity codes that do not reveal user identities, thereby offloading network traffic and maintaining user privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If networks are provisioned with higher capacity radio and wireline links and higher capacity routing nodes to support HD media streaming, then network capacity and reliability improve, but network cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables user devices to serve themselves by caching content locally and performing peer-to-peer distribution, eliminating the need for network infrastructure upgrades. Devices autonomously share cached content with proximal devices, making the network self-sufficient for content distribution without requiring higher capacity routing nodes or radio links.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the content distribution function from the network infrastructure and relocates it to user devices. By caching content locally on devices and enabling direct peer-to-peer sharing, the system removes the burden of content delivery from network routers and radio links, thereby reducing network complexity while maintaining distribution capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If content is distributed through the network to multiple devices, then content availability improves, but network traffic load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-caching content on user devices before distribution is needed. When a device caches content from the network, it prepares advance copies that can be shared peer-to-peer, eliminating the need for repeated network transmissions and reducing overall network traffic load while maintaining content availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of content reception, caching, and distribution into user devices themselves. Devices that receive content from the network simultaneously become distribution nodes, combining consumer and provider roles. This eliminates the need for separate distribution infrastructure and reduces network traffic by handling distribution locally.
3Loss of information
If mobile devices share cached content using proximity codes, then user privacy is maintained, but content distribution capability is reduced compared to identity-based sharing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces proximity codes as an intermediary that enables content sharing without exposing user identities. Instead of devices sharing content based on mutual knowledge of user identities, the proximity code acts as a mediator that authorizes distribution while preserving privacy. The code contains sufficient information for content authorization without revealing sensitive user information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses proximity codes as simplified copies of user identity information that contain only the necessary authorization data for content sharing. Rather than sharing full user identities, the system creates and uses abbreviated proxy representations (proximity codes) that enable distribution capability while protecting the original identity information.
Data Source
AI summary
A server receives, from a first mobile device, a request for content identified by a first resource identifier and a set of presence codes. The set of presence codes includes a presence code for the first mobile device and at least one other presence code for one or more mobile devices in proximity to the first mobile device. The server selects a set of allocated resource identifiers associated with one or more presence codes for one or more of the mobile devices in proximity to the first mobile device having the content cached therein. Each allocated resource identifier in the set is different than the first resource identifier. The server then sends to the first mobile device the set of allocated resource identifiers and associated presence codes for use in retrieving the content cached in at least one of the mobile devices in proximity to the first mobile device.