FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for distributing and transmitting content over a wireless mesh network. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for distributing content to one or more wireless nodes based on the wireless nodes profiles and transmitting the distributed content to one or more user devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, one or more user devices are remotely connected to a content server. In one example, as shown in FIG. 1, the user devices (10) are connected to a first access point (20a), wherein the first access point (20a) is connected to a relay device (30), and wherein the relay device (30) is connected to a second access point (20b) that is connected to the content server (40). When a user device (10) requests data or content from the content server, the data or content is transmitted to the user device (10) by relaying the data or content through the second access point, the relay device and the first access point. This may cause bottleneck at either the access points or relay device when multiple user devices are requesting data or content from either the content server or any other server. This is because the access points and the relay device may have limited bandwidth capacity and thus, an increase in traffic may reduce the transmission rate per user device or even delay the transmission of the data or content as it is being queued in the access point or the relay device.

In a wireless mesh network, a user device may be connected to a content server through one or more routing paths of interconnected access points or relay devices. Thus, the user device may opt for another routing path if there is a high utilization of bandwidth in one of the access points or relay devices of a routing path. Although this addresses the bottleneck at the access points and relay devices, the congestion still lies with the content server for transmitting the content or data requested from multiple user devices. Therefore, there is a need to provide a system and method that addresses the abovementioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a system for distributing and transmitting content over a wireless mesh network is provided. The system comprising at least one content server (100) connected to the wireless mesh network, wherein the wireless mesh network includes a gateway (210), a plurality of wireless nodes (220), and at least one user device (230). Moreover, the system is characterised in that the content server (100) includes a content planning module (120), wherein the content planning module (120) is used to profile each wireless node (220) and distribute one or more content (110) to one or more wireless nodes (220) based on the profiles; and each wireless node (220) includes a content query module (221) and a content feed module (222), wherein the content query module (221) is used for querying and searching content that has been requested by the user device (230) and the content feed module (222) is used for retrieving the content requested by the user device (230).

Preferably, the content query module (221) and the content feed module (222) is provided in the network layer of each wireless node (220).

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for distributing content over a wireless mesh network is provided. The method is characterised by the steps of retrieving information from each wireless node (220) by the content planning module (120), wherein the information includes mobility of the wireless node (220), link cost information of the wireless node (220), and capacity of wireless nodes (220); profiling each wireless node (220) based on the information retrieved from the wireless nodes (220); distributing one or more content (110) in the content server (100) to one or more wireless node (220) based on the profiling and a set of rules; and distributing content index to each wireless node (220) in the wireless mesh network.

Preferably, the step of profiling each wireless node (220) includes generating a network topology of the wireless mesh network; calculating link cost for each possible route of the wireless nodes (220); and generating a profile for each wireless node (220) based on the mobility information, link cost information, capacity information, and frequently used keywords and related searches, wherein the profiles of the wireless nodes (220) include whether the wireless nodes (220) are stationary or mobile based on mobility information, the best route path based on the calculated link cost information, the storage capacity of the wireless nodes (220), and the keywords and searches that have been frequently requested by the user device (230) via the wireless nodes (220) based on the keywords and related searches information. Preferably, the set of rules for distributing one or more content (110) includes distributing a particular content depending on the mobility of the wireless nodes (220); distributing a particular content to be accessible in the shortest distance to the user device (230); distributing a particular content to the wireless nodes (220) having enough capacity to store the particular content; and distributing a particular content to the wireless nodes (220) having frequently search for the particular content.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for transmitting content as requested by a user device (230) is provided. The method is characterised by the steps of receiving a request for a particular content or keyword related to a particular content by a wireless node (220); identifying the particular content or keyword in the content index; determining whether the content is located locally; creating or updating a record for wireless node profiling, wherein the record includes mobility of the wireless node (220), the link cost of the wireless node (220), capacity of the wireless node (220), and frequent keyword and related searches; and sending the content to the user device (230).

If the content is located in another wireless node, the method includes the steps of checking the content index for the location of the content by identifying the wireless node (220) having the content; checking the link to the wireless node (220) having the content; calculating link cost to the wireless node (220) link cost to a content server (100); comparing the link costs; determining the location for obtaining the content based on the link costs; sending a request for the content; and relaying the content to the user device (230). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a wireless network.

FIG. 2 shows a system for distributing and transmitting content over a wireless mesh network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a content server (100) of the system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a wireless node (220) of the system of FIG. 2. FIGS. 5(a-b) show flowcharts of a method for distributing content over a wireless mesh network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a method for transmitting a requested content to a user device (230) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the description with unnecessary detail.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a system for distributing and transmitting content over a number of wireless nodes (220) in a wireless mesh network according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system distributes the content based on profiles of the wireless nodes (220) which include mobility of the wireless nodes (220), link cost calculation between the wireless nodes (220), capacity of the wireless nodes (220), and frequency of keywords or content searched. The system comprises of at least one content server (100) connected to a wireless mesh network, wherein the wireless mesh network includes a gateway (210), a plurality of wireless nodes (220), and at least one user device (230). FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the content server (100). The content server (100) is used to store one or more content (110). Moreover, the content server (100) includes a content planning module (120), wherein the content planning module (120) is used to profile each wireless node (220) in the wireless mesh network and thereon, distribute one or more content (110) to one or more wireless nodes (220) based on its profiles.

The gateway (210) is used for accessing to a backhaul network such as Internet, Ethernet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN) or any other appropriate network. In particular, the gateway (210) allows the wireless mesh network connects to the at least one content server (100) via a backhaul network. The gateway (210) is connected to at least one wireless node (220) in the wireless mesh network.

The wireless nodes (220) are interconnected with each other and thus, a wireless node (220) may communicate with another wireless node (220). Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a block diagram of each wireless node (220) in the wireless mesh network. The wireless node (220) includes a content query module (221) and a content feed module (222) in its network layer. The content query module (221) is used for querying and searching content that has been requested by the user device (230), whereas the content feed module (222) is used for retrieving the content requested by the user device (230). Each wireless node (220) can be connected to one or more user device (230) such as but not limited to laptop, mobile phone, personal computer, handheld communication device, handheld computing device, wireless modem card or any other device suitable for communicating wirelessly within the wireless mesh network.

Referring now to FIG. 5a, there is shown a method for distributing content over a number of wireless nodes (220) in the wireless mesh network. Initially, as in step 510, the content planning module (120) of the content server (100) gathers information from each wireless node (220) in the wireless mesh network. Such information includes mobility of the wireless node (220), link cost information of the wireless node (220), capacity of wireless nodes (220), and also keywords and related searches that have been frequently requested by the user device (230). The frequently used keywords and related searches are associated with each wireless node (220), wherein a keyword is determined to be frequent if the frequency of the keyword requested by one or more user device (230) via a particular wireless node (220) exceeds a predetermined threshold. The information is transmitted to the content planning module (120) by the content feed module (222) of the wireless node (220).

Thereon, as in step 520, the content planning module (120) performs profiling on each of the wireless nodes (220) based on the information retrieved from the wireless nodes (220). The profiling process is shown in further details in FIG. 5b.

Referring to FIG. 5b, the profiling is initiated with the content planning module (120) generating a network topology of the wireless mesh network as in step 521. The network topology is generated based on the location of each wireless node (220) retrieved using the mobility information of each wireless node (220). Thereon, in step 522, the content planning module (120) calculates link cost for each possible route of the wireless nodes (220), wherein the content planning module (120) calculates link cost of all possible routes for the wireless nodes (220) in addition to the link cost information provided by the wireless nodes in step 510. In step 523, the content planning module (120) generates a profile for each wireless node (220) based on the mobility information, link cost information, capacity information, and frequently used keywords and related searches. In particular, profiles of the wireless nodes (220) include whether the wireless nodes (220) are stationary or mobile based on mobility information, the best route path based on the calculated link cost information, the storage capacity of the wireless nodes (220), and the keywords and searches that have been frequently requested by the user device (230) via the wireless nodes (220) based on the keywords and related searches information.

Once the profiling has been done, the content planning module (120) distributes one or more content (110) in the content server (100) to one or more wireless node (220) based on the profiles and a set of rules as in step 530. The set of rules for the distribution of the content (110) includes, but not limited to a particular content should be distributed depending on the mobility of the wireless nodes (220), a particular content should be accessible in the shortest distance to the user device (230), a particular content should be put on the wireless nodes (220) having enough capacity to store the particular content, and a particular content should be put on the wireless nodes (220) that frequently search for the similar keywords.

Based on the profiles and the set of rules, the content planning module (120) determines whether to duplicate the content distributed for a mobile node at another wireless node (220). For example, by referring to FIG. 2, if the wireless node A (220a) is a mobile node having connection with wireless node D (220d) and wireless node E (220e), the content planning module (120) may decide to put the particular content as a backup on wireless node E (220e) or D (220d). The content planning module (120) also determines whether to distribute the content to one of the wireless nodes (220) within the best route path and whether to distribute the content within all possible route paths if the best route path is constantly changing. For example, by referring to FIG. 2, wireless node H (220h) is connected to wireless nodes B, C, and D (220b, 200c, 200d) via links 1 , 2, and 3. If the link 1 is determined to be the best path based on the link cost information, the content planning module (120) distributes the content to only wireless node B. However, if the path is constantly changing between links 1 , 2 and 3 based on the link cost information wherein the link costs are similar, the content planning module (120) distributes the content on wireless nodes B, C and D (220b, 200c, 200d). The content planning module (120) also determines whether to redistribute the content to another wireless node (220) if the storage capacity is lesser than the content size. For instance, by referring to FIG. 2, if the wireless node F (220f) has reached full storage capacity, the content planning module (120) may decide to distribute the content to the wireless node G (220g) instead. Moreover, the content planning module (120) determines whether to distribute content related to a particular keyword to the wireless node (220) having frequently searched with the particular keyword. For instance, by referring to FIG. 2, if the user devices (230) connected to wireless node B (220b) mostly requests for content 1 , the content planning module (120) distributes content 1 to the wireless node B (220b), while the rest of the content are distributed at other wireless nodes (220).

In addition to the distribution of the content (110), the content planning module (120) also distributes a content index to each wireless node (220) in the wireless mesh network. Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a method for transmitting a requested content to the user device (230) once the content has been distributed according to the profiles of the wireless nodes (220). Initially, as in step 601 , the content query module (221) of a wireless node receives a request for a particular content or keyword related to a particular content from the user device (230). Thereon, as in step 602, the content query module (221) identifies the particular content or keyword in the content index by performing a search in the content index to find the particular content or the content related to the keyword. Based on the content index, the content query module (221) determines whether the content is located locally in the content feed module (222) as in decision 603. If the content is located locally, the content query module (221) sends a notification to the content feed module (222) as in step 604. Thereon, as in step 605, the content feed module (222) creates or updates a record for wireless node profiling, wherein the record includes mobility of the wireless node (220), the link cost of the wireless node (220), capacity of the wireless node (220), and frequent keyword and related searches. The record is then sent to the content server (100) for wireless node profiling as in step 606. In step 607, the requested content is sent to the user device (230).

However, if the content is not located locally, the content query module (221) checks the content index for the location of the requested content by identifying the wireless node (220) having the requested content as in decision 603 and step 610. Thereon, the content query module (221) checks whether the link to the wireless node (220) having the requested content can be established. Moreover, the content query module (221) calculates the link cost to the wireless node (220) as in steps 61 and 612. The content query module (221) also calculates the link cost to the content server (100) for comparison. Based on the link costs to the wireless node (220) and content server (100), the content query module (221) determines to obtain the requested content from the wireless node (220) or the content server (100). Thereon, in step 613, the content query module (221) sends a request for the requested content. Once it has received the requested content, the wireless node (220) relays the requested content to the user device (230). While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specifications are words of description rather than limitation and various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.