Relay Point Allocation Server for Chat System Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chat systems experience delays in message transmission, especially in concurrent content interactions like Internet games or distributed moving images, due to varying terminal capabilities and network environments, leading to stressful user experiences.

Innovation Solution

A chat system with a relay point allocation server that selects a chat server based on predetermined rules, distributing chat servers across regions to minimize communication delays by routing messages through geographically proximate servers, thereby reducing the burden on client terminals and networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If chat servers are distributed across multiple regions to reduce communication delays, then the speed of message transmission is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of managing multiple servers increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage transmission speedVSAvoidchat server system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The relay point allocation server acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of distributed chat servers. It receives chat opening requests, selects appropriate chat servers based on predetermined rules (such as geographic proximity or server load), and routes clients to the selected server. This mediator approach allows the system to benefit from distributed server architecture for reduced latency while centralizing the management complexity in a single allocation server.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the chat server functionality into two distinct components: the relay point allocation server that handles request routing and server selection, and the distributed chat servers that handle actual chat relay operations. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, with the allocation server managing complexity and the chat servers focusing on performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If more chat servers are deployed to handle various terminal types and network environments, then the adaptability of the chat system is improved, but the loss of time for server selection and coordination increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechat system adaptabilityVSAvoidserver selection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The relay point allocation server performs preliminary actions by establishing predetermined rules for chat server selection before actual chat operations begin. These rules can include geographic location matching, server capacity thresholds, and terminal type compatibility criteria. When a chat opening request arrives, the allocation server quickly matches the request against these pre-established rules to determine the optimal chat server, avoiding time-consuming real-time analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters such as geographic location, server load capacity, and terminal characteristics to optimize chat server selection. The allocation server evaluates multiple parameters and selects the chat server that best matches the combination of these parameters, enabling adaptable service across different terminal types and network environments while maintaining efficient selection through structured parameter evaluation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If direct communication routes are established between all client terminals for instant messaging, then the speed of communication is improved, but the security risks and network burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidsecurity risks
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chat server acts as an intermediary that relays message data between client terminals without requiring direct peer-to-peer communication routes. When a client sends a message, it is transmitted to the chat server, which then forwards it to the destination client. This indirect routing maintains communication speed while eliminating the security vulnerabilities associated with direct client-to-client connections, as the server can implement security policies, authentication, and monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3923147B1Relay point allocation server, chat system, client terminal, chat server, and chat space construction method
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP3923147B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3923147B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3923147B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In a chat system 1, chat servers 18a, 18b, 18c, ··· are disposed in a distributed fashion in different regions. A client terminal 10a issues an opening request for opening a chat room in response to a user's action. A gateway 12 acquires the region of the client terminal 10a as a request source from the opening request signal. A relay point allocation server 14 selects an appropriate chat server 18a or a region thereof from the standpoint of regions and communication speeds, and requests the chat server to open a chat room. The chat server 18a relays chat data among the client terminals 10a, 10b, and 10c.