Decentralized Proxy Nodes for Reliable Multicast Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centralized server architectures in high-user-capacity environments face challenges with reliable and timely information dissemination due to network bandwidth inefficiencies and potential delays in critical mission contexts, where information may become obsolete before delivery.

Innovation Solution

A decentralized communication system utilizing an IP multicast network with dynamically assigned proxy nodes and an exhaustive routing algorithm, allowing nodes to communicate without a centralized server, maintaining an information base that updates properties of connected and disconnected devices, ensuring reliable and scalable information delivery across heterogeneous and dynamic network topologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a centralized server architecture is used to distribute information to multiple endpoints, then information delivery can be managed centrally, but network bandwidth is inefficiently utilized and delivery reliability deteriorates under high user capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized information managementVSAvoidinformation delivery reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized server architecture into multiple distributed proxy nodes that independently manage information delivery to different endpoint groups. Each proxy node maintains local information caches and serves as an independent delivery point, dividing the single point of failure into multiple redundant delivery paths. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining centralized management capabilities while distributing delivery functions to improve reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces proxy nodes as intermediary elements between the information source and endpoints. These proxy nodes cache information locally and manage local delivery, acting as mediators that reduce direct traffic to central servers and provide backup delivery paths. This intermediary layer resolves the bandwidth inefficiency and reliability issues by distributing the delivery burden across multiple intermediaries rather than a single centralized point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a centralized server forwards information to each endpoint individually, then information can be delivered to all endpoints, but network bandwidth is stretched and delivery timeliness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation dissemination capabilityVSAvoidinformation delivery time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having proxy nodes cache information locally before it is needed by endpoints. Information is pre-positioned at distributed proxy nodes through intelligent prediction and proactive caching, so when endpoints need the information, it is already available locally rather than requiring real-time retrieval from central servers. This preliminary action dramatically reduces delivery time while maintaining high dissemination capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-dimensional centralized delivery model to a multi-dimensional distributed architecture where information can be delivered through multiple paths and layers. Proxy nodes operate at different network levels, creating vertical and horizontal delivery dimensions that parallelize information flow and reduce bottlenecks, thereby improving both productivity and timeliness simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Speed

If high-bandwidth peer-to-peer architecture is used for fast file transfers, then transfer speed is improved, but the system is not concerned with network congestion and assumes appropriate network conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile transfer speedVSAvoidnetwork condition adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation by making the system's behavior responsive to actual network conditions. Proxy nodes continuously monitor bandwidth availability, congestion levels, and node status, dynamically adjusting information caching strategies, delivery paths, and routing decisions. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain high transfer speeds while adapting to varying network conditions, resolving the contradiction between speed and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Loss of energy

If low-bandwidth solutions implement custom network layers below Transport layer, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but flexibility in network topology and heterogeneity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork bandwidth efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork topology flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables proxy nodes to self-configure and self-optimize based on local network conditions. Each proxy node autonomously manages its own information cache, selects optimal delivery paths, and adapts to local topology changes without requiring custom network layer implementations. This self-service capability allows the system to achieve bandwidth efficiency through intelligent application-layer protocols while maintaining full flexibility in network topology and heterogeneity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9001826B2Method, apparatus, system, and article of manufacture for reliable low-bandwidth information delivery across mixed-mode unicast and multicast networks
Publication Date: 2015.04.07 TWISTED PAIR SOLUTIONS
  • US9001826B2 patent drawing
  • US9001826B2 patent drawing
  • US9001826B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method are provided wherein information is disseminated using a reliable IP multicast network implementation coupled with dynamically assigned proxy nodes serving as zonal aggregation points. These nodes share information with each other over the reliable IP multicast network, augmenting this function with a reliable point-to-point communication infrastructure between proxy nodes in those instances where IP multicast is not available or prone to error.