P2P Content Transfer via Server Discovery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

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 transmission and reception.

Innovation Solution

A communication system that employs a client-server model for initial connection with a server to receive display information, followed by a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) connection between the information processing device and storage for content selection and transmission, reducing server load and user wait time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a server-mediated communication mode is used for content transmission, then connection establishment is simplified, but server load increases and user wait time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishment simplicityVSAvoiduser wait time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The communication process is segmented into two distinct phases: a server-mediated discovery phase for obtaining connection information, and a direct P2P transmission phase for actual content transfer. This segmentation allows the server to be exited early, reducing its load and user wait time while maintaining ease of connection establishment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Connection information (IP addresses, ports) is obtained in advance through server-mediated communication before the actual content transfer begins. This preliminary action enables subsequent direct P2P communication without server involvement, reducing server load during the main transmission phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection management centralizationVSAvoidserver load
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The server is extracted from the content transmission path after the discovery phase. Only essential connection information is obtained from the server, while the actual content transfer occurs through direct P2P communication, removing the server burden of handling large data transfers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as a temporary intermediary only for connection discovery, providing essential contact information. After this intermediary role is fulfilled, the server exits the communication path, allowing direct peer-to-peer interaction without continuous server mediation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If a direct P2P connection is established between storage and information processing device, then server load is reduced, but connection establishment becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveserver loadVSAvoidconnection establishment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server serves as a temporary mediator that provides connection information (IP addresses and ports) to both peers. This intermediary role is limited to the discovery phase, after which direct P2P communication occurs without server involvement, balancing complexity reduction with server load reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Connection parameters are obtained in advance through server-mediated discovery before direct P2P communication begins. This preliminary action simplifies the overall process by eliminating the need for complex real-time negotiation during content transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3131305B1Communication system, information processing device, and communication method
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3131305B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3131305B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3131305B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In communication system (1) which includes receiving device (10) that stores one or more content items, server (20), and information processing device (30) for reproducing the content items, information processing device (30) includes a display recording list receiver that receives display information for displaying a list of the one or more content items from server (20) through a first connection made based on a first communication mode. Moreover, information processing device (30) includes: a P2P connection implementation unit that establishes, between receiving device (10) and information processing device (30), a second connection made based on a second communication mode for performing communication between receiving device (10) and information processing device (30) without passing via server (20); a recorded program selector that selects a content item out of the one or more content items based on the display information; and a recorded program receiver that receives the selected content item from receiving device (10) through the second connection.