Cooperative data transport

• US 9,451,415 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2011
• Issued: 09/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Krishnaswamy, Dilip, Soliman, Samir S., Eravelli, Srinivasa R., Gupta, Rajat, Ricardo dos Santos, Jose
• Primary Examiner(s): Sam, Phirin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hsiung, Hai-Chang
• Application Number:
  US13/162,926
• Publication Number:
  US 20120321008A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,922 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Abstract

Various arrangements for cooperative data transport are presented. These arrangements may include a first mobile device configured to receive, via a first wireless network, a first set of shared data. The first set of shared data may be shared among a plurality of mobile devices using a second wireless network. The first mobile device may also receive, via the first wireless network, a first set of private data, wherein the first set of private data is intended for the first mobile device. The first set of private data may not be shared among the plurality of mobile devices.

Claims

1. A mobile device configured for cooperative data transport, the mobile device comprising:

a processor, configured to;

be in communication with at least one other mobile device;

transmit an address via a first wireless network from the mobile device to an application server, the address identifying the at least one other mobile device;

receive information indicative of a connection between the at least one other mobile device and the application server from the at least one other mobile device, wherein the connection uses a second wireless network different than the first wireless network, and wherein the information indicative of the connection between the at least one other mobile device and the application server comprises one or more of a speed of the connection or a latency of the connection;

transmit the information indicative of the connection via the first wireless network from the mobile device to the application server;

obtain mobile application data formed via execution of a mobile device application at an application level, the mobile device application being a multi-user application in which the mobile device and the at least one other mobile device are participating;

transmit the mobile application data from the mobile device to the application server via the first wireless network;

receive, via the first wireless network using a first communication technique, in response to the transmitted mobile application data, a first set of server application data generated by the application server executing a server application at the application level that is a cooperative counterpart to the mobile device application, the first set of server application data comprising content for use by the multi-user application on at least one of the mobile device and at least one of the at least one other mobile device, wherein;

the first set of server application data includes;

an indication of being private server application data so as to be intended for one of the mobile device or the at least one other mobile device;

or

an indication of being shared server application data so as to be intended for both the mobile device and the at least one other mobile device; and

one or more of an address of the mobile device or the address identifying the at least one other mobile device;

determine whether the first set of server application data is private server application data or shared server application data;

determine a destination for the first set of server application data based on an address included in the first set of server application data; and

cause the first set of server application data to be transmitted via a second communication technique to the at least one other mobile device upon the first set of server application data being determined to be shared server application data or upon the first set of server application data being determined to be private server application data and the destination being determined to be the at least one other mobile device, wherein;

the first communication technique and the second communication technique are different communication techniques.

2. The mobile device configured for cooperative data transport of claim 1, wherein the first wireless network is a wireless cellular network and the second communication technique utilizes a local wireless network.

3. The mobile device configured for cooperative data transport of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to analyze the first set of server application data at a layer selected from one or more of:

a MPTCP/TCP/UDP layer;

an IP layer; and

an application layer.

4. The mobile device configured for cooperative data transport of claim 1, wherein the mobile device utilizes an IP address of the at least one other mobile device.

5. The mobile device configured for cooperative data transport of claim 1, wherein the mobile device serves as a wireless access point for the at least one other mobile device.

6. The mobile device configured for cooperative data transport of claim 1, wherein the first set of server application data includes shared server application data that is communicated over a multipath transport connection between the application server and the mobile device, the multipath transport connection comprising a first path that utilizes the first communication technique and a second path via the at least one other mobile device that utilizes the second communication technique.

7. The mobile device configured for cooperative data transport of claim 1, wherein the first set of server application data includes private server application data that is communicated over a multipath transport connection between the application server and the mobile device, the multipath transport connection comprising a first path that utilizes the first communication technique and a second path via the at least one other mobile device that uses the second communication technique.

8. The mobile device configured for cooperative data transport of claim 1, wherein a second set of server application data intended for the at least one other mobile device is in an encrypted form when the second set of server application data is received by the mobile device.

9. The mobile device configured for cooperative data transport of claim 1, wherein the second communication technique comprises use of a local wireless protocol.

10. The mobile device configured for cooperative data transport of claim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises a cellular phone.

11. The mobile device configured for cooperative data transport of claim 1, wherein the mobile device further comprises:

a first wireless communication interface configured to communicate using the first communication technique; and

a second wireless communication interface configured to communicate using the second communication technique.

12. A method for cooperative data transport, the method comprising:

transmitting, by a first mobile device, an address via a first wireless network to an application server, the address identifying a second mobile device;

receiving, by the first mobile device, information indicative of a connection between the second mobile device and the application server from the second mobile device, wherein the connection uses a second wireless network different than the first wireless network, and wherein the information indicative of the connection between the second mobile device and the application server comprises one or more of a speed of the connection or a latency of the connection;

transmitting, by the first mobile device, the information indicative of the connection via the first wireless network to the application server;

obtaining, by the first mobile device, mobile application data formed via execution of a mobile device application at an application level, the mobile device application being a multi-user application in which the mobile device and the second mobile device are participating;

transmitting the mobile application data from the first mobile device to the application server via the first wireless network;

receiving, by the first mobile device, via the first wireless network, in response to transmitting the mobile application data, a first set of server application data generated by the application server executing a server application at the application level that is a cooperative counterpart to the mobile device application, the first set of server application data comprising content for use by the multi-user application on at least one of the mobile device and the second mobile device, wherein;

the first set of server application data includes;

an indication of being private server application data so as to be intended for one of the mobile device or the second mobile device;

or

an indication of being shared server application data so as to be intended for both the mobile device and the second mobile device; and

one or more of an address of the first mobile device or the address identifying the second mobile device; and

the first wireless network utilizes a first communication technique;

determining, by the first mobile device, whether the first set of server application data is private server application data or shared server application data;

determining, by the first mobile device, a destination for the first set of server application data based on an address included in the first set of server application data; and

transmitting, by the first mobile device, via a second communication technique, the first set of server application data to the second mobile device upon determining that the first set of server application data is shared server application data or upon determining that the first set of server application data is private server application data and upon determining that the destination for the first set of server application data is the second mobile device, wherein;

the first communication technique and the second communication technique are separate communication techniques.

13. The method for cooperative data transport of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving, by the first mobile device, via the first wireless network, a second set of server application data, wherein the second set of server application data comprises an indication that the second set of server application data is intended for the second mobile device; and

transmitting, by the first mobile device, via the second communication technique, the second set of server application data to the second mobile device.

14. The method for cooperative data transport of claim 12, wherein the first mobile device utilizes an IP address of the second mobile device.

15. The method for cooperative data transport of claim 12, wherein the first mobile device serves as a wireless access point for the second mobile device.

16. The method for cooperative data transport of claim 12, wherein the first set of server application data includes shared server application data that is communicated over a multipath transport connection between the application server and the first mobile device, the multipath transport connection comprising a first path via the first communication technique and a second path via the second communication technique.

17. The method for cooperative data transport of claim 12, wherein the first set of server application data includes private server application data that is communicated over a multipath transport connection between the application server and the first mobile device, the multipath transport connection comprising a first path via the first communication technique and a second path via the second mobile device and the second communication technique.

18. The method for cooperative data transport of claim 12, wherein a second set of server application data intended for the second mobile device is in an encrypted form when the second set of server application data is received by the first mobile device.

19. The method for cooperative data transport of claim 12, the method further comprising:

receiving, by the second mobile device, via the second wireless network, a second set of server application data, wherein the second set of server application data is to be shared among a plurality of mobile devices that includes the first mobile device and the second mobile device; and

transmitting, by the second mobile device, via the second communication technique, the second set of shared server application data to each other mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices.

20. The method for cooperative data transport of claim 19, wherein a ratio of the size of the first set of server application data to the size of the second set of server application data is at least partially based upon a ratio of bandwidth between the first mobile device and the first wireless network and bandwidth between the second mobile device and the second wireless network.

21. The method for cooperative data transport of claim 12, wherein first wireless network is a wireless cellular network and the second communication technique utilizes a local wireless protocol.

22. The method for cooperative data transport of claim 12, wherein the second communication technique uses a local wireless network.

23. The method for cooperative data transport of claim 12, wherein cooperative data transport allows a game to be played between users operating the first mobile device and the second mobile device.

24. An apparatus for cooperative data transport, the apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting, by the apparatus, an address via a first wireless network to an application server, the address identifying at least one other apparatus;

means for receiving information indicative of a connection between the at least one other apparatus and the application server from the at least one other apparatus, wherein the connection uses a second wireless network different than the first wireless network, and wherein the information indicative of the connection between the at least one other apparatus and the application server comprises one or more of a speed of the connection or a latency of the connection;

means for transmitting the information indicative of the connection via the first wireless network from the apparatus to the application server;

means for obtaining, by the apparatus, apparatus application data formed via execution of an apparatus application at an application level, the apparatus application being a multi-user application in which the apparatus and the at least one other apparatus are participating;

means for transmitting the apparatus application data from the apparatus to the application server via the first wireless network;

means for receiving, via a first communication technique, by the apparatus, in response to transmitting the apparatus application data, a first set of server application data generated by the application server executing a server application at the application level that is a cooperative counterpart to the apparatus application, the first set of server application data comprising content for use by the multi-user application on at least one of the apparatus and the at least one other apparatus, wherein;

the first set of server application data includes;

an indication of being private server application data so as to be intended for one of the apparatus or the at least one other apparatus;

or

an indication of being shared server application data so as to be intended for both the apparatus and the at least one other apparatus; and

one or more of an address of the apparatus or an address identifying the at least one other apparatus;

means for determining whether the first set of server application data is private server application data or shared server application data, wherein;

the first set of server application data being determined to be private server application data indicates that the first set of server application data is to be transmitted to one of the apparatus or the at least one other apparatus based on an address included in the first set of server application data; and

the first set of server application data being determined to be shared server application data indicates that the first set of server application data is to be transmitted to both the apparatus and the at least one other apparatus;

means for transmitting, via a second communication technique, the first set of server application data to the at least one other apparatus upon determining that the first set of server application data is shared server application data or upon determining that the first set of server application data is to be transmitted to the second mobile device, wherein;

the first communication technique and the second communication technique are separate communication techniques.

25. The apparatus for cooperative data transport of claim 24, wherein an amount of server application data received by the apparatus is at least partially based upon bandwidth between the apparatus and the first wireless network.

26. The apparatus for cooperative data transport of claim 24, wherein the apparatus utilizes an IP address of the at least one other apparatus.

27. The apparatus for cooperative data transport of claim 24, wherein the apparatus serves as a wireless access point for the at least one other apparatus.

28. The apparatus for cooperative data transport of claim 24, wherein the first wireless network is a wireless cellular network and the second communication technique uses a local wireless network.

29. The apparatus for cooperative data transport of claim 24, wherein:

the means for receiving is further configured for receiving, via the first communication technique, a second set of server application data, wherein the second set of server application data comprises an indication that the second set of server application data is intended for the at least one other apparatus; and

the means for transmitting is further configured for transmitting, via the second communication technique, the second set of server application data to the at least one other apparatus.

30. The apparatus for cooperative data transport of claim 24, wherein the apparatus allows a game to be played between a first user interacting with the apparatus and a second user interacting with the at least one other apparatus in communication with the apparatus via the second communication technique.

31. A computer program product residing on a non-transitory processor-readable medium and comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor to:

transmit an address via a first wireless network from a first mobile device to an application server, the address identifying a second mobile device;

receive, by the first mobile device, information indicative of a connection between the second mobile device and the application server from the second mobile device, wherein the connection uses a second wireless network different than the first wireless network, and wherein the information indicative of the connection between the second mobile device and the application server comprises one or more of a speed of the connection or a latency of the connection;

transmit, by the first mobile device, the information indicative of the connection via the first wireless network to the application server;

obtain, by the first mobile device, mobile application data formed via execution of a mobile device application at an application level, the mobile device application being a multi-user application in which the mobile device and the second mobile device are participating;

transmit the mobile application data from the first mobile device to the application server via the first wireless network;

receive, in response to the transmitted mobile application data, a first set of server application data that is generated by the application server executing a server application at the application level that is a cooperative counterpart to the mobile device application and that is received by the first mobile device via the first wireless network, the first set of server application data comprising content for use by the multi-user application on at least one of the mobile device and the second mobile device, wherein;

the first wireless network uses a first wireless technique;

the first set of server application data includes;

an indication of being private server application data so as to be intended for one of the first mobile device or the second mobile device;

or

an indication of being shared server application data so as to be intended for each one of a plurality of mobile devices;

one or more of an address of the first mobile device or the address identifying the second mobile device; and

the plurality of mobile devices comprises the first mobile device and the second mobile device;

determine whether the first set of server application data is private server application data or shared server application data, wherein;

the first set of server application data being determined to be private server application data indicates that the first set of server application data is intended for one of the first mobile device or the second mobile device based on an address included in the first set of server application data; and

the first set of server application data being determined to be shared server application data indicates that the first set of server application data is intended for each of the plurality of mobile devices; and

cause the first set of server application data to be transmitted, via a second wireless technique, to the second mobile device upon determination that the first set of server application data is shared server application data or upon determination that the first set of server application data is intended to be transmitted to the second mobile device, wherein;

the first wireless technique and the second wireless technique are different wireless techniques.

32. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein an amount of server application data received by the processor is at least partially based upon a bandwidth between the first wireless network and the first mobile device.

33. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the second wireless technique uses a local wireless protocol.

34. The computer program product of claim 31, further comprising instructions configured to cause the processor to:

receive a second set of server application data via the first wireless technique, wherein the second set of server application data comprises an indication that the second set of server application data is intended for the second mobile device; and

cause the second set of server application data to be transmitted, via the second wireless technique, to the second mobile device.

35. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the computer program product functions in conjunction with a game to be played between a first user operating the first mobile device and a second user operating the second mobile device.

36. A system for cooperative data transport, the system comprising:

a computer system, configured to;

receive, an address from a first mobile device included in a plurality of mobile devices via a first wireless network, the address identifying at least one other mobile device included in the plurality of mobile devices;

receive, information indicative of a connection between the at least one other mobile device and the system from the first mobile device, wherein the connection uses a second wireless network different than the first wireless network and wherein the information indicative of the connection between the at least one other mobile device and the system comprises one or more of a speed of the connection or a latency of the connection;

receive, mobile application data from the first mobile device, the mobile application data being formed via execution of a mobile device application at an application level, the mobile device application being a multi-user application in which the first mobile device and the at least one other mobile device are participating;

execute, in response to receipt of the mobile application data, an application at an application level to generate a first set of server application data that is to be communicated to the first mobile device, the first set of server application data comprising content for use by the multi-user application on at least one of the first mobile device and the at least one other mobile device, wherein;

the first set of server application data includes;

an indication of being private server application data so as to be intended for one of the first mobile device or the at least one other mobile device;

or

an indication of being shared server application data so as to be intended for each mobile device in the plurality of mobile devices;

transmit, via the first wireless network, the first set of server application data to the first mobile device, wherein;

the first set of server application data comprises the address from the first mobile device; and

the indication of being private server application data or the indication of being shared server application data and the address from the first mobile device are configured to be used by the first mobile device to determine one or more destinations for the first set of server application data.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the computer system is further configured to:

select, from the plurality of mobile devices, the first mobile device to receive the first set of server application data at least partially based on a first amount of bandwidth between the first mobile device and the first wireless network compared with a second amount of bandwidth between the at least one other mobile device and the second wireless network.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein the computer system is further configured to:

execute the application to generate a second set of server application data that is intended for the at least one other mobile device and is to be transmitted to the first mobile device; and

transmit the second set of server application data to the first mobile device.

39. The system of claim 36, further comprising:

the first mobile device, configured to;

receive the first set of server application data, wherein;

the first set of server application data is received via the first wireless network using a first communication technique;

determine whether the first set of server application data is private server application data or shared server application data in accordance with the indication of being private server application data or the indication of being shared server application data, wherein;

the first set of server application data being determined to be private server application data indicates that the first set of server application data is intended for one of the first mobile device or the at least one other mobile device based on the address from the first mobile device;

the first set of server application data being determined to be shared server application data indicates that the first set of server application data is intended for each of the plurality of mobile devices; and

the first set of server application data is received via the first wireless network; and

transmit the first set of server application data via a second communication technique to the at least one other mobile device upon determination that the first set of server application data is shared server application data or upon determination that the first set of server application data is intended for the at least one other mobile device based on the address from the first mobile device, wherein;

the first communication technique and the second communication technique are different communication techniques.

40. The system of claim 39, further comprising:

the at least one other mobile device, configured to;

receive the first set of server application data from the first mobile device via the second communication technique.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the computer system is further configured to:

determine that a second set of server application data is to be shared among the plurality of mobile devices; and

transmit, via the second wireless network, the second set of server application data to the at least one other mobile device.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one other mobile device is further configured to:

receive the second set of server application data via the second wireless network using a third communication technique;

determine whether the second set of server application data is to be shared among the plurality of mobile devices or whether the second set of server application data is not to be shared with the plurality of mobile devices; and

transmit the second set of server application data via the second communication technique to other mobile devices of the plurality of mobile devices upon determination that the second set of data is to be shared.