Mobile Mesh Routing Using Intermediate Relay Nodes Offline
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems fail to provide reliable connectivity when cellular, satellite, and Internet connections are unavailable, as they do not effectively enable communication between unattached mobile devices without a network connection.
Innovation Solution
A mesh network system where mobile devices can communicate by forwarding packets through a local mesh of interconnected devices, using a mesh forwarding method that includes determining packet destinations, managing forwarding lists, and establishing connections between nearby devices to relay information such as text messages, images, or location data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wireless communication systems are used, then network connectivity is available when cellular, satellite, and Internet connections are present, but communication fails when these connections are unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate mesh nodes (unattached devices) that act as mediators to relay communications between devices. When traditional network connections are unavailable, these intermediate nodes form a local mesh network that enables indirect communication paths, allowing devices to communicate through multiple hops via intermediate relays rather than requiring direct connection to traditional networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication system into independent mesh nodes that can operate autonomously. Each unattached device becomes an independent routing node with its own forwarding capabilities, allowing the communication system to be divided into smaller functional units that can operate without centralized network infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mesh network is established to enable communication without traditional network connections, then communication between unattached devices is enabled, but system complexity increases due to packet routing and forwarding management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where each mesh node autonomously determines packet forwarding decisions based on local routing tables and network conditions. Each unattached device independently performs routing lookups, packet forwarding, and path selection without requiring centralized control, allowing the system to self-organize and adapt to changing network conditions automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary routing table construction and packet classification before actual data transmission. Routing tables are pre-established based on network topology discovery, and packets are classified and queued in advance according to their destinations and priority levels, reducing the complexity of real-time routing decisions during active communication.
3Area of stationary object
If packets are forwarded through multiple intermediate nodes in a mesh network, then communication range is extended beyond direct wireless range, but packet delivery time increases due to multiple hops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic routing where packet paths are not fixed but adapt in real-time based on network conditions, node availability, and traffic patterns. Routing tables are continuously updated as nodes join or leave the mesh network, and packet forwarding paths are dynamically selected to optimize for both delivery time and path availability, allowing the system to balance coverage extension with latency considerations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary path selection and packet prioritization before transmission. High-priority packets are pre-configured with optimal routing paths, and routing tables are pre-computed based on expected network conditions, allowing time-sensitive communications to bypass unnecessary hops and reduce delivery time while still utilizing the extended mesh network coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are presented in this disclosure that enable mobile devices without access to an active network connection (e.g. cellular, satellite or Internet network) to communicate between each other by sending and receiving data packets (e.g. text, location, or image) through a mesh of connected devices. A packet for forwarding is included into a mesh forwarding list at a mobile device, wherein the mesh forwarding list includes packets for forwarding to one or more mobile devices. The mobile device checks, in each packet within the mesh forwarding list, a list with at least one identifier of at least one wireless device that has already received the packet. The mobile device forwards the mesh forwarding list to the one or more wireless devices via at least one connection, based on the checked one or more identifiers.