Peer-to-Peer Network Connectivity Status Management

Solution Overview

Problem

Current peer-to-peer networks face inefficiencies in connectivity checking, particularly for mobile devices, as they send multiple pages to all cells within a paging area, leading to signal loading and battery power depletion, especially when the cell location is unknown and the device is in an idle state.

Innovation Solution

A system and method where a processor determines to reduce connectivity checks for devices in a peer-to-peer network by configuring the device to send status messages proactively to other devices without receiving a request, thereby minimizing unnecessary connectivity checks and conserving energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nodes periodically send messages to verify connected nodes are still available, then connectivity status is maintained, but network signal loading increases and battery power is depleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity statusVSAvoidbattery power

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by having mobile devices send connectivity status messages only when necessary (when transitioning between connected and disconnected states) rather than continuously. This selective messaging reduces energy consumption while still maintaining reliable connectivity monitoring, as the system only performs the action of sending status updates when actual state changes occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by enabling mobile devices to autonomously determine when to send connectivity status messages based on their own state transitions. Each device independently monitors its own connectivity state and initiates status reporting only when transitioning between connected and disconnected states, eliminating the need for continuous external polling and reducing overall network signaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If nodes send messages to verify connected nodes are still available, then connectivity status is maintained, but network signal loading increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity statusVSAvoidsignal loading

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by having mobile devices send connectivity status messages only when necessary (when transitioning between connected and disconnected states) rather than continuously. This selective messaging reduces network signal loading while still maintaining reliable connectivity monitoring, as the system only performs the action of sending status updates when actual state changes occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action through event-driven status reporting, where connectivity status messages are sent at specific intervals triggered by state transitions rather than continuous periodic polling. This approach reduces unnecessary network traffic while ensuring connectivity status is communicated at meaningful moments when actual changes occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If connectivity checks are performed frequently, then connectivity status is accurately monitored, but battery power is depleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity status monitoringVSAvoidbattery power

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by having mobile devices send connectivity status messages only when necessary (when transitioning between connected and disconnected states) rather than continuously. This selective messaging reduces energy consumption while still maintaining reliable connectivity monitoring, as the system only performs the action of sending status updates when actual state changes occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by enabling mobile devices to autonomously determine when to send connectivity status messages based on their own state transitions. Each device independently monitors its own connectivity state and initiates status reporting only when transitioning between connected and disconnected states, eliminating the need for continuous external polling and reducing overall network signaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2369812B1Peer-to-peer network connectivity status

Publication Date: 2015.12.02 BLACKBERRY LTD

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AI summary

The embodiments disclosed herein provide a system, apparatus, and method for managing requests in a peer-to-peer network (500). A processor determines whether to reduce an amount of checks for connectivity for a device (506) in the peer-to-peer network in response to a device being in the peer-to-peer network. The processor configures the device to send a message indicating a status of the device to a number of other devices (510,516,518) in the peer-to-peer network without receiving a request for the status of the device in response to a determination to reduce the amount of checks for connectivity for the device in the peer-to-peer network.