Intermediate Tunnel Nodes for Reliable Internet Content Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Internet communication technologies face challenges in efficiently managing network congestion, traffic load balancing, and unpredictable network behavior, leading to issues such as packet loss, duplication, and out-of-order delivery, which affect the reliability and efficiency of data transmission.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of intermediate nodes that function as both end-user and intermediate nodes to enhance communication by optimizing data routing and managing network congestion, utilizing devices with dual functionality to improve data transmission reliability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intermediate nodes are used to optimize routing and manage network congestion, then data transmission reliability and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling devices to serve dual roles as both end-user devices and intermediate nodes. This allows a single device type to perform multiple functions: normal end-user communication and intermediate node operations including routing optimization, congestion management, and packet reassembly. This resolves the contradiction by improving reliability through intermediate node functionality while avoiding the need for separate dedicated intermediate node hardware, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
2Productivity
If intermediate nodes optimize routing and manage congestion, then productivity of data transmission is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables devices to function as both end-user devices and intermediate nodes, allowing them to perform routing optimization and congestion management tasks. This multi-functional approach improves data transmission efficiency by utilizing available network resources while avoiding the complexity of deploying dedicated intermediate node infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by allowing end-user devices to autonomously perform intermediate node functions when needed. Devices can independently optimize their own data transmissions and participate in network congestion management without requiring external control or complex dedicated infrastructure, thereby improving productivity while limiting complexity increases.
3Reliability
If TCP protocols are used to detect and retransmit lost packets, then data transmission reliability is improved, but loss of time occurs due to retransmission delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing packet reassembly and error correction at intermediate nodes before final delivery to the destination. This proactive approach identifies and corrects transmission errors earlier in the network path, reducing the need for time-consuming retransmissions at the end-host level and thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses intermediate nodes as mediators that actively monitor, reassemble, and verify data packets during transmission. These intermediary devices detect and correct errors before packets reach their final destination, improving reliability while reducing the time required for error detection and retransmission compared to traditional end-to-end TCP error handling.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for fetching a content from a web server to a client device is disclosed, using tunnel devices serving as intermediate devices. The client device accesses an acceleration server to receive a list of available tunnel devices. The requested content is partitioned into slices, and the client device sends a request for the slices to the available tunnel devices. The tunnel devices in turn fetch the slices from the data server, and send the slices to the client device, where the content is reconstructed from the received slices. A client device may also serve as a tunnel device, serving as an intermediate device to other client devices. Similarly, a tunnel device may also serve as a client device for fetching content from a data server. The selection of tunnel devices to be used by a client device may be in the acceleration server, in the client device, or in both. The partition into slices may be overlapping or non-overlapping, and the same slice (or the whole content) may be fetched via multiple tunnel devices.