Router Packet Filtering for Server Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often experience poor online gaming experiences due to suboptimal server connections, with existing mechanisms failing to effectively select a server with a good connection, leading to frustrating gameplay and connectivity issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system where routers intercept and filter packets to select the best server based on quality metrics such as geographic location and ping time, dropping packets from low-quality connections to force the system to search for better hosts, thereby providing users with a list of high-quality servers or automatically connecting to them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanism is implemented to select a server with a good connection, then the connection quality should improve, but the existing mechanism fails to work well and often establishes a connection with a server that does not provide good service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts between the user and multiple servers. This intermediary automatically selects the optimal server based on connection quality metrics, eliminating the need for users to manually evaluate and select servers. The intermediary measures connection quality to multiple servers and directs traffic through the best connection, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable connection selection and ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple servers are available for providing the same service, then service availability improves, but the user may be connected to a server with a bad connection even when other servers with better connections are available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously measures connection quality to multiple servers and uses this information to dynamically select the best server. The system monitors metrics such as ping time and connection stability, and adjusts server selection based on real-time feedback. This ensures that even when multiple servers are available, the user is consistently connected to the server with the best connection quality.
3Ease of operation
If the system automatically selects servers based on connection quality, then user experience improves, but the complexity of the selection mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system automatically performs server selection and connection quality monitoring without requiring user intervention. The system independently measures connection metrics, evaluates multiple servers, and makes selection decisions autonomously. This automation improves user experience by eliminating manual server selection while containing complexity within the system rather than requiring complex user-side solutions.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine, such as a router (or other network appliance capable of filtering incoming packets), determines whether a packet is from a location that is likely to be capable of establishing an acceptable connection quality. If it is determined that an acceptable connection quality is unlikely to be obtained, the machine blocks the packet so that the connection is not established. If it is determined that the acceptable connection quality is likely to be obtained, the packet is received and the connection is allowed. As a consequence of blocking packets from locations that are expected to have a poor connection, connections are not established with servers that will provide poor service and a poor user experience.