Terminal Relay Selection via Delay Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communication systems using relay apparatuses, such as TURN servers, the selection of a relay apparatus can result in increased delay times between terminals, particularly affecting real-time communications like voice and video, due to the physical distance or network latency of the selected server, leading to degraded communication quality.

Innovation Solution

A terminal acquires and measures the delay times to multiple relay apparatuses, selects the one with the smallest delay time, and notifies the other terminal to use this relay apparatus for communication, ensuring minimal delay in data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a TURN server that is physically far away or has large network distance is selected, then communication between terminals can be established, but the delay time between terminals increases and communication quality is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication establishmentVSAvoiddelay time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the selection parameter from arbitrary or default server choice to delay-time-based selection. Each terminal measures the delay time to multiple relay apparatuses and selects the one with the smallest delay time, transforming the server selection criterion to optimize for real-time communication quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Each terminal independently performs delay time measurements and selects its own optimal relay apparatus without relying on centralized assignment. The terminals self-determine the best relay server based on their own network conditions to minimize delay

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If multiple relay apparatuses are available for selection, then communication reliability is improved, but the complexity of selecting the appropriate relay apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidselection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each terminal autonomously performs delay measurements and selects its own relay apparatus without requiring complex centralized coordination. The selection process is simplified by making each terminal responsible for its own optimal relay selection based on local measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent simplifies the selection complexity by changing the selection criterion to a single measurable parameter (delay time). Instead of evaluating multiple complex factors, terminals only need to measure and compare delay times to select the optimal relay apparatus

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3413520B1Terminal, relay device selection device, communication method, relay device selection method, and program
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 NTT COMM CORP
  • EP3413520B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3413520B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3413520B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A terminal used as a terminal in a plurality of terminals in a system including the plurality of terminals that communicate with each other and a plurality of relay apparatuses, including: measurement means configured to measure a delay time between the terminal and each relay apparatus of the plurality of relay apparatuses; selection means configured to select a relay apparatus from the plurality of relay apparatuses based on the delay time measured by the measurement means; and communication means configured to perform communication with another terminal via the relay apparatus.