Opportunistic Data Transfer via Relay Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The proliferation of fixed and mobile devices accessing networks poses challenges to network coverage, reliability, and efficiency, particularly in scenarios where devices lack direct access to traditional networks, leading to issues like battery consumption, network congestion, and interference.
Innovation Solution
Opportunistic Data Transfer (ODT) methods and systems enable data transfer through reconfiguration of network availability, allowing devices to connect via alternative networks, reducing power consumption and congestion by enabling ad hoc or preauthorized data transfers between devices and networks, with centralized or distributed ODT services managing registrations, authorizations, and compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices access traditional networks directly, then network coverage and reliability are maintained, but battery consumption increases and network congestion worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate devices (relay devices, other mobile devices) that act as mediators to transfer data between the target device and traditional networks. Instead of the target device directly accessing the network (which consumes high battery power), data is routed through intermediate devices that are already connected to networks, thereby reducing the energy consumption while maintaining network reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The network access function is segmented into multiple components: traditional network access points, intermediate relay devices, and opportunistic transfer nodes. This segmentation allows the system to distribute network access responsibilities across multiple devices, enabling opportunistic data transfer through available intermediaries rather than requiring direct continuous connection to traditional networks.
2Area of stationary object
If more devices access traditional networks, then network coverage improves, but network congestion and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
Intermediate devices serve as mediators that offload traffic from traditional networks. By routing data through these intermediaries that already have network connections, the system expands effective network coverage to areas where traditional signals are weak or unavailable, while preventing additional congestion on traditional network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Devices in the network independently identify and utilize available intermediaries for data transfer without requiring centralized coordination or additional traditional network infrastructure. Each device autonomously determines optimal transfer paths through opportunistic encounters with intermediaries, thereby expanding coverage without proportionally increasing traditional network load.
3Reliability
If direct network access is used, then data transfer reliability is maintained, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs intermediary devices that simplify the overall system architecture by providing straightforward relay functionality. Rather than implementing complex direct access protocols in every device, the system uses simple intermediary nodes that forward data between target devices and traditional networks, reducing individual device complexity while maintaining transfer reliability through multiple available paths.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for opportunistic data transfer (ODT) are provided. ODT improves network coverage, reliability and/or efficiency by permitting data transfer consumers and network access providers to take advantage of communication opportunities that may be mutually beneficial. Fixed and mobile, personal or business, wired or wireless devices, may participate as ODT network operators, providers and/or consumers. ODT participants may be motivated to participate, for example, to reduce battery consumption and improve network coverage, reduce network congestion and interference. A phone, for example, may be enabled to send data to an Internet destination by ODT in lieu of a cellular network in particular circumstances, such as cellular network unavailability, with less costly data transfer and/or less battery power consumption. ODTs may be ad hoc or preauthorized and may be tracked, accounted, and compensated for, such as according to ODT service terms selected by each provider.