Proxy Server Data Compression for Limited Network Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of portable computing devices often experience slow data rates and high latencies when accessing the internet through limited data environments, such as cellular networks, and may not know how to activate data saving features to improve their connection speeds.
Innovation Solution
A portable computing device is programmed to determine when it is in a limited data environment and prompts the user to download and activate a data saving browser extension that receives compressed data from a proxy server, reducing data usage and latency by redirecting requests through the proxy instead of directly from web servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If users access the internet through limited data environments (cellular networks), then connectivity is maintained, but data rates are slow and latencies are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy server as an intermediary between the user's portable computing device and web servers. The proxy server receives requests from the device, compresses the data, and forwards it to web servers, then decompresses and returns the data to the user. This intermediary compresses data before transmission over the limited data environment connection, improving data rates and reducing latencies while maintaining connectivity.
2Loss of substance
If data saving features are implemented, then data consumption is reduced, but users need to know how to activate them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having the portable computing device automatically detect when it is in a limited data environment and automatically prompt the user to download and activate the data saving browser extension. The device monitors data usage statistics and network conditions, determining when data saving features should be activated without requiring manual configuration or user expertise in activating data saving features.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device automatically detects limited data environments, then appropriate features are activated, but the device must monitor and compare latency data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the portable computing device continuously monitor network latency and data usage statistics, comparing current performance against previously determined latency values. When the device detects that current latency exceeds previously determined latency for the same website, it triggers a prompt to activate data saving features. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation to limited data environments while using manageable complexity through comparison against stored baseline values.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may include instructions stored thereon. When executed, the instructions may cause a portable computing device to prompt a user to activate a data saving feature based on a previous user having activated the data saving feature. The instructions may be configured to cause the portable computing device to accept login credentials from a first user, activate the data saving feature in response to input from the first user during a session associated with the first user, log the first user out, after logging the first user out, accept login credentials from a second user, and based on activating the data saving feature during the session associated with the first user, prompt the second user to activate the data saving feature during a session associated with the second user.