P2P Content Transfer via Server-Assisted Connection Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems that remotely control electronic devices from remote locations often result in user inconvenience and increased server load, particularly when establishing connections for content transfer between devices.

Innovation Solution

A communication system that employs a client-server model for initial connection and a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) model for subsequent content transfer, allowing users to select and receive content items directly between devices without server mediation, thereby reducing server load and enhancing user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a server-mediated communication mode is used for content transfer, then connection establishment is simplified and managed centrally, but server load increases and user waiting time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoiduser waiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The communication process is segmented into two distinct phases: Phase 1 uses server-mediated communication for connection establishment and content list transmission, while Phase 2 switches to direct P2P communication for actual content transfer. This segmentation allows each phase to use the most appropriate communication mode, reducing overall server load and user waiting time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication mode is made dynamic by automatically switching between server-mediated mode and P2P mode based on the operational phase. The system transitions from server-mediated connection setup to direct P2P content transfer, optimizing performance by adapting the communication architecture to the specific needs of each phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a server-mediated communication mode is used for content transfer, then connection management is centralized and simple, but server load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection managementVSAvoidserver load

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The content transfer function is extracted from the server and relocated to direct P2P communication between terminals. The server retains only the essential functions of connection establishment and content list provision, while the actual content transfer occurs directly between devices, significantly reducing server load and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication architecture is segmented into server-mediated components (connection setup, content list transmission) and P2P components (actual content transfer). This segmentation allows the server to handle only lightweight management tasks while delegating the resource-intensive content transfer to direct device-to-device communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If direct P2P connection is used for content transfer, then server load is reduced and transfer speed increases, but connection establishment becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent transfer speedVSAvoidconnection establishment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Connection establishment and content list transmission are performed as preliminary actions through server-mediated communication before initiating P2P content transfer. This preliminary setup phase handles the complexity of connection management, allowing the subsequent P2P transfer phase to focus solely on high-speed content delivery without connection establishment overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as an intermediary during the connection establishment phase, facilitating the setup of P2P connections between terminals. By using the server as a temporary mediator for connection management, the system can then transition to efficient direct P2P communication for content transfer, combining the benefits of both approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3131306B1Communication system, information processing device, and communication method

Publication Date: 2019.06.26 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

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AI summary

In communication system (1) which includes server (21), information processing device (31) and receiving device (11) that performs transfer of a content item, information processing device (31) includes a display broadcast station list receiver that receives display information for displaying a list of one or more content items from server (21) through a first connection made based on a first communication mode. Moreover, information processing device (31) includes a P2P connection implementation unit that establishes, between receiving device (11) and information processing device (31), a second connection made based on a second communication mode for performing communication between receiving device (11) and information processing device (31) without passing via server (21). Furthermore, information processing device (31) includes: a broadcast station selector that selects at least one content item out of the one or more content items based on the display information; and an already converted broadcast receiver that receives the transfer of the at least one selected content item from receiving device (11) through the established second connection.