Intermediate Tunnel Nodes for Reliable Slice-Based Web Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current internet communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing network congestion and ensuring reliable data transfer due to unpredictable network behavior, leading to issues like packet loss, duplication, and out-of-order delivery, which affect the overall performance and reliability of data transmission.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of intermediate nodes that can function both as end-users and intermediate nodes, utilizing advanced protocols such as TCP/IP and HTTP, to enhance communication by optimizing data routing, error detection, and retransmission, while also employing techniques like persistent connections to reduce network congestion and improve latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If intermediate nodes are used to manage network congestion and ensure reliable data transfer, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediate nodes that function as mediators between end-user devices and the core network infrastructure. These nodes perform TCP proxy functions including connection management, packet routing, and error handling, thereby improving communication reliability while isolating the complexity from end devices. The intermediate nodes act as buffer zones that manage network congestion and ensure reliable data transfer without requiring complex modifications to endpoint devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If advanced protocols such as TCP/IP and HTTP are utilized for error detection and retransmission, then data transfer reliability is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary error detection mechanisms at the intermediate nodes before data enters the core network transmission path. TCP checksum validation and connection state verification are performed in advance, allowing early identification of problematic packets. This preliminary action reduces the need for time-consuming retransmissions later in the transmission process, as errors are detected and handled proactively rather than reactively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where intermediate nodes continuously monitor packet transmission status, error rates, and network congestion levels. Based on this feedback, the nodes dynamically adjust retransmission strategies, optimize routing decisions, and manage connection states. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable data transfer while minimizing unnecessary processing time by adapting to actual network conditions rather than following rigid protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If persistent connections are employed to reduce network congestion, then network efficiency is improved, but memory usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidmemory usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies persistent connections selectively based on local quality metrics such as connection stability, data transfer patterns, and network conditions. Rather than maintaining persistent connections universally, the intermediate nodes evaluate each connection locally and maintain persistence only where it provides net benefit. This selective approach improves network efficiency for suitable connections while avoiding unnecessary memory consumption for connections where persistence would not be advantageous.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic connection management where persistent connections are established, maintained, or terminated based on real-time network conditions and usage patterns. The intermediate nodes continuously assess connection health and performance, dynamically adjusting the persistence state of each connection. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize network efficiency when conditions favor persistent connections while freeing memory resources when conditions change, thereby balancing productivity gains against memory consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11902400B2System and method for improving internet communication by using intermediate nodes
Publication Date: 2024.02.13 BRIGHT DATA LTD
  • US11902400B2 patent drawing
  • US11902400B2 patent drawing
  • US11902400B2 patent drawing

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.