Fetching Web Content Using Smart Intermediate Servers

This patent describes a system for fetching web content by using intermediate servers, called 'tunnel devices,' chosen based on characteristics like location to speed up delivery to your phone.

What it covers

This patent outlines a method for a mobile device to get content from a web server. Instead of connecting directly, it uses special intermediate servers called 'tunnel devices.' These tunnel devices are selected by a 'tunnel bank server' based on certain attributes, like the IP geolocation of the tunnel device. The tunnel bank server keeps a list of available tunnel devices and their attributes. When your phone requests content, the tunnel bank server picks a suitable tunnel device. This tunnel device then fetches the content from the web server and sends it back to your phone. Your phone only talks to a main server, a 'super proxy,' which manages this whole process. This is like using a specific delivery service that's closest to the warehouse to get your package faster.

What it doesn't cover

• —Fetching content directly from a web server without using any intermediate tunnel devices.
• —Selecting tunnel devices based on factors other than predefined attributes like IP geolocation.
• —A system where the client device directly communicates with the web server.
• —Methods that do not involve a central 'tunnel bank server' to manage tunnel device selection.
• —Fetching content where the client device initiates communication with the tunnel device.

The clever bit

The core innovation is using a 'tunnel bank server' to dynamically select the best 'tunnel device' for content fetching based on specific attributes, rather than relying on a fixed or less intelligent routing path.

Why it matters

This patent addresses the challenge of efficient content delivery to mobile devices, which are often on less stable or slower networks. By intelligently routing requests through optimized intermediate servers, it aims to improve speed and reliability for users accessing web content.

Real-world examples

• 1.Content delivery networks (CDNs) that use geographically distributed servers.
• 2.Proxy servers used to bypass regional restrictions or improve connection speeds.
• 3.Mobile applications that pre-fetch data in the background to ensure smooth user experience.