Peer-to-Peer Notification Relay for Offline Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods do not provide a means for delivering notifications to user devices that are offline, as they are not connected to any network, potentially causing users to miss important notifications.
Innovation Solution
A peer-to-peer (P2P) notification system that allows a connected user device to establish a direct connection with an offline device using a communication certificate, verify authorization, and transmit notifications via wireless communication methods like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, ensuring that offline devices receive notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a notification relay server is used to distribute notifications to user devices, then notifications can be delivered to online devices, but notifications cannot be delivered to offline devices that are not connected to the network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a peer device as an intermediary to relay notifications to offline devices. When a device goes offline, other peer devices that are still online can receive notifications from the server and forward them to the offline device through direct peer-to-peer communication channels, ensuring the offline device receives notifications without needing network connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to notification delivery by implementing peer-to-peer direct communication channels alongside the traditional server-mediated approach. This creates a multi-path delivery system where notifications can traverse through different dimensions (server route or peer-to-peer route) depending on the recipient's connectivity status
2Adaptability or versatility
If direct peer-to-peer connections are established between user devices for notification delivery, then offline devices can receive notifications, but the system complexity increases due to connection management and authorization verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing trust relationships through communication certificates during the device enrollment phase. Before actual notification delivery, devices are pre-authenticated and authorized to communicate directly, so that when notifications need to be delivered to offline devices, the authorization framework is already in place and no complex real-time authentication is needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where devices report their online/offline status to the server and to peer devices. This feedback loop enables the system to dynamically adjust notification delivery paths - when a device is online, use the server route; when offline, automatically switch to peer-to-peer relay through online peers, reducing the need for complex manual connection management
Data Source
AI summary
A first user device can receive a communication certificate associated with a user of the first user device. The communication certificate can allow the first user device to exchange certain information with a second user device that also possesses the communication certificate. The first user device can receive a notification. The first user device can also determine that a second user device associated with the user did not receive the notification. The first user device can initiate a direct connection with the second user device. The first use device can verify that the second device possesses the communication certificate. After verification, the first user device can send the notification to the second user device.