Network Server Selection via Aggregate Round Trip Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network communication management systems often assign network communication channels based on geographical IP addresses, which may not result in the most optimal connection for mobile devices, leading to delayed data transmission and not accounting for other network or device factors.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device determines a list of available intermediate servers and generates a list of aggregate round trip times, including both front end and back end round trip times, to select the most optimal server for establishing a network communication channel, allowing for dynamic adjustment based on changing conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If relay/proxy or data/application resource servers are assigned based on IP addresses associated with a general geographical region, then server assignment is simplified, but data transmission speed and network communication efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveserver assignment complexityVSAvoiddata transmission speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the selection parameter from simple geographical IP address matching to a multi-factor evaluation including aggregate round trip time, front end round trip time, back end round trip time, network conditions, and server load. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction by enabling faster data transmission through comprehensive optimization while maintaining manageable assignment complexity through automated scoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring round trip times, network conditions, and server performance metrics. This feedback loop allows the system to dynamically adjust server assignments based on real-time conditions, ensuring optimal data transmission speed while maintaining simplified operation through automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If relay/proxy or data/application resource servers are assigned based on geographically assigned IP addresses, then initial server selection is straightforward, but adaptability to changing network conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial server selection easeVSAvoidadaptability to network conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static geographical IP-based server assignment into a dynamic system that continuously evaluates multiple parameters including aggregate round trip time, front end round trip time, back end round trip time, network conditions, and server load. This dynamic approach maintains ease of operation through automated selection while achieving superior adaptability to changing network conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing round trip time metrics, network condition data, and server performance characteristics. This preliminary preparation enables rapid adaptive decision-making without requiring complex real-time analysis, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single geographical region-based server assignment method is used, then system complexity is reduced, but network communication reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidnetwork communication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes from a single parameter (geographical region) to multiple parameters including aggregate round trip time, front end round trip time, back end round trip time, network conditions, and server load. This multi-parameter approach improves network communication reliability through comprehensive optimization while maintaining reduced system complexity through automated scoring and selection algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3370395B1Devices and methods for managing a network communication channel between an electronic device and an enterprise entity
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3370395B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3370395B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3370395B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Devices and methods for managing a network communication channel are provided. The electronic device is configured to determine a list of available intermediate servers for establishing a network communication channel between the electronic device and an enterprise entity. The electronic device generates a list of aggregate round trip times. The list of aggregate round trip times include an aggregate round trip time associated with each intermediate server in the list of available intermediate servers. Each aggregate round trip time includes a front end round trip time and a back end round trip time. The electronic device selects one of the intermediate servers based on the list of aggregate round trip times and establishes the network communication channel using the selected intermediate server.