Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to the domain of wireless mesh networking, distributed content delivery, and data synchronization in bandwidth-constrained or connectivity-challenged environments. More specifically, it addresses a LoRa-based hardware-software integrated system that allows a plurality of mobile, solar-powered, or fixed devices to communicate and exchange prioritized digital content through a peer-to-peer decentralized mesh network, even in the absence of continuous internet access.

[002] This invention draws upon a multidisciplinary blend of telecommunications and Low-Power Wide-Area Networks (LPWAN), distributed systems with intelligent caching protocols, delay-tolerant networking (DTN), embedded IoT hardware and energy-efficient electronics, mobile computing frameworks with offline data synchronization, AI-driven predictive content caching using TinyML, and secure data propagation mechanisms with built-in integrity verification.

[003] The invention finds critical applications in rural and underserved geographies like India, where reliable broadband infrastructure remains inaccessible to millions. It also addresses disaster-prone regions, military field communication, and off-grid environments. The architecture supports future adaptability to 6G networks, edge AI, and blockchain-based digital identity frameworks like Aadhaar or ABHA.

[004] The architecture is also designed to be interoperable with India's digital public infrastructure, including Aadhaar-linked identifiers, DigiLocker for document storage, and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for future peer micro-transactions over offline mesh.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[005] Despite substantial advancements in mobile communication technologies, a significant portion of the global population—especially in developing nations like India—continues to experience digital exclusion due to poor infrastructure, irregular electricity supply, and high costs associated with data plans.

[006] Centralized cloud systems (e.g., WhatsApp, YouTube, Google Drive) assume continuous and fast internet access. This reliance on high-bandwidth connectivity renders them ineffective in remote villages, tribal regions, disaster-hit areas, or mobile-dark zones.

[007] LoRa (Long Range) wireless communication protocols offer a partial solution by enabling long-range, low-power connectivity. However, conventional implementations like LoRaWAN typically follow a hub-and-spoke (star) topology, where all end-nodes depend on fixed, always-on gateways for data transmission. These setups are not suitable for decentralized, infrastructure-light deployments, particularly where even the gateway may not be reliably powered or internet-connected.

[008] Moreover, existing systems fail to integrate a robust caching layer, delay-aware sync mechanism, or dynamic energy prioritization—all critical in low-resource contexts. Even the most advanced delay-tolerant networks focus on vehicular data relays or theoretical models, without actual implementation in consumer-grade devices like rural smartphones, solar kiosks, or medical tablets.

[009] Accordingly, there exists a critical need for a decentralized, resilient, and low-cost intelligent communication system that can function independently of the internet, locally cache high-priority and mission-critical content, synchronize with external servers through opportunistic connectivity, preserve message integrity and privacy during inter-node transfers, and integrate seamlessly with India’s existing digital public infrastructure for scalable deployment.

PRIOR ART ANALYSIS

S. No.
Prior Art Title / Reference
Key Features
Limitations
1
US10177838B2 – LoRa Mesh Routing
Multi-hop mesh routing for LoRa devices
No caching mechanism; lacks delay-tolerant synchronization or offline data handling.
2
US10944613B1 – IoT Data Caching System
Rule-based caching in IoT for data availability
Not optimized for LoRa or low-bandwidth mesh networks; lacks energy awareness and real-time sync.
3
US10630475B2 – Edge Caching in Wireless Networks
Predictive caching using AI in 5G networks
Focused on cellular networks; assumes continuous connectivity; unsuitable for rural offline cases.
4
WO2020143753A1 – Delay-Tolerant Networking System
Data sync over intermittent networks
Generic protocol; not optimized for LoRa limitations or energy-constrained edge devices.
5
IN201727021257 – Smart Grid Mesh Architecture
Energy-aware device communication in a grid
Applies to electrical grids, not data caching or community-level rural mesh systems.
6
US20200126487A1 – Content Delivery in Intermittent Net
Distributes content in disconnected scenarios
Focuses on delay, but lacks mesh topology, real-time caching control, or LoRa-specific constraints.

[010] The present invention demonstrates clear inventive distinction over the known body of prior art by addressing a uniquely Indian and globally underrepresented problem: enabling resilient, offline-first content dissemination and data synchronization in areas with unreliable or absent internet connectivity, using LoRa mesh networking as the backbone.
[011] In contrast to prior art that addresses connectivity, caching, and energy optimization in isolation, the present invention introduces a cohesive and deeply integrated system featuring: (i) a delay-tolerant synchronization protocol custom-designed for LoRa’s limited bandwidth and sporadic connectivity; (ii) an adaptive multi-parameter caching algorithm that simultaneously considers time-to-live (TTL), content popularity, and node energy availability, a triad not disclosed in any known reference; (iii) a real-time, energy-aware mesh routing mechanism that dynamically delegates routing responsibilities based on the instantaneous power states of individual nodes, ensuring network resilience in energy-constrained environments; and (iv) native interoperability with India’s digital infrastructure, including Aadhaar, DigiLocker, and ABHA, thereby facilitating secure access to governance, healthcare, and educational data in offline or underserved regions.

[012] By integrating with India’s digital ecosystem—such as DigiLocker, ABHA, and UPI APIs—this system provides local offline access to verified documents and health data, a capability not known in prior art. The architecture aligns with the objectives outlined by NDMA, MeitY, and the National Health Stack.

[013] The prior art, although robust in certain verticals, does not anticipate the synergistic interplay of these elements nor does it address the constraints specific to low-cost, rural, or disaster-affected zones where traditional infrastructure is impractical.

[014] The present invention addresses critical gaps in conventional communication networks, particularly in rural and disaster-affected areas where connectivity is intermittent or unavailable. Existing systems either require constant internet access or depend heavily on centralized gateways. This invention solves the problem of offline data distribution, caching, and secure synchronization through an adaptive, resilient, and decentralized mesh protocol, designed to work within the constraints of low-power embedded hardware.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[015] The present invention introduces a hardware-software co-integrated architecture that enables a distributed network of LoRa-enabled devices to form a fully autonomous, decentralized mesh, with intelligent caching, priority-based synchronization, and peer-to-peer data sharing. The core system is composed of:

LoRa-Based Peer Mesh Layer:-Each node (e.g., a mobile phone, tablet, or kiosk) is embedded with a LoRa transceiver. These devices form a self-organizing mesh capable of broadcasting and relaying messages locally over distances of several kilometers without requiring the internet.

Multi-Factor Edge Cache Engine:-Devices store digital content—videos, messages, updates—based on an algorithm that evaluates:

Time-to-Live (TTL): Auto-deletes expired data.

Content Popularity: Based on access frequency across the mesh.

Node Power Profile: Devices with higher battery reserves store more data.

Delayed Synchronization Protocol:-When any device detects internet connectivity (via mobile data, Wi-Fi, satellite, etc.), it aggregates data from nearby devices and uploads it in compressed, chunked formats to external cloud endpoints. Sync is scheduled to minimize energy use and maximize throughput.

Security and Integrity Verification:-All data packets include cryptographic hashes. Sensitive data (e.g., Aadhaar-linked files) are encrypted using public key infrastructure (PKI). Devices maintain hash chains to verify the authenticity of uploaded content.

Multi-Transport Sync Abstraction:-The system dynamically detects available communication mediums—BLE, Wi-Fi, 2G/4G, LoRa—and selects the most energy-efficient path for data exchange.

AI-Powered Predictive Caching (Optional):-A lightweight machine learning module analyzes behavioral patterns and pre-caches content most likely to be needed (e.g., market prices before mandi hours, or PM-Kisan updates during specific days).

[016] The invention is particularly well-suited for deployment in a variety of critical rural and semi-urban contexts, including but not limited to: village schools disseminating pre-recorded educational video lectures without internet connectivity; Public Distribution System (PDS) outlets broadcasting government scheme updates, ration entitlements, or electoral roll data; Primary Health Centers (PHCs) synchronizing medical records linked to ABHA or DigiLocker accounts in offline settings; disaster-prone regions enabling peer-to-peer propagation of emergency SOS messages and localized weather alerts during communication blackouts; and agricultural zones where timely dissemination of pest infestation warnings, rainfall forecasts, or mandi price updates is essential for farmer resilience and productivity.
[017] As used throughout this specification and the accompanying claims, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed below, unless expressly stated otherwise:
"Mesh node" refers to any participating electronic device—such as a smartphone, tablet, or fixed kiosk—that is capable of communicating within a decentralized, low-power, peer-to-peer wireless mesh network, typically employing LoRa or similar long-range communication protocols.

"Popularity score" denotes a dynamically computed metric representing the relative demand for a specific data item, based on the frequency of access requests observed over a rolling time window within a defined geographic or logical mesh radius.

"Content cache" means a localized or distributed temporary data repository maintained at the network edge (i.e., within individual mesh nodes), where storage prioritization is governed by a combination of Time-To-Live (TTL) parameters, energy availability of the caching node, and historical access frequency of the content.

"Delayed sync" refers to a store-and-forward synchronization mechanism, wherein data packets are retained locally at one or more mesh nodes until a suitable external communication channel—such as the internet, a satellite uplink, or a transient mobile network—becomes available for batched transmission.

"Energy-aware routing" signifies a dynamic mesh routing strategy that selects optimal communication paths based not only on link stability but also on real-time energy metrics, including the remaining battery capacity, charging status, and environmental energy context (e.g., solar availability) of the participating nodes.

"Hash chain" describes a sequential cryptographic construct in which each transmitted data chunk includes a hashed digest of its immediate predecessor, thereby ensuring tamper-evidence, ordering integrity, and end-to-end authenticity of information traversing the mesh, particularly during offline propagation or delayed synchronization.
[018] The system is further adaptable to future low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite networks and anticipated 6G ambient connectivity infrastructures, ensuring sustained relevance across upcoming telecom evolutions.

[019] This invention is fundamentally hardware-bound, as all core functionalities—including content caching, delayed synchronization, energy-aware routing, encryption, and transport switching—are executed through embedded firmware operating on physical modules such as LoRa transceivers, microcontrollers, and secure memory components. Since the system delivers a tangible technical effect through real-world hardware execution and does not constitute software per se, it clearly falls outside the exclusions specified under Section 3(k) of the Indian Patents Act.

[020] The proposed invention offers the following technical advantages:
Resilient peer-to-peer communication in areas without internet.

Energy-efficient transport fallback mechanism that preserves data.

Intelligent local caching using TTL, energy cost, and popularity heuristics.

Secure hash-chained synchronization for audit and tamper-resistance.

Seamless integration with India's public digital infrastructure (Aadhaar, ABHA, DigiLocker).

Modular hardware/software stack enabling cross-device interoperability.
[021] The present invention discloses a decentralized mesh communication system and method comprising embedded nodes equipped with low-power transceivers, intelligent caching mechanisms, and synchronization protocols that operate without reliance on persistent internet connectivity. The invention enables edge-based storage, energy-aware routing, and secure data propagation using cryptographic techniques. It is explicitly designed for interoperability with national digital frameworks and offers a technical solution to offline digital access, thereby achieving significant advantages over existing centralized or cloud-dependent systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[022] The present invention is deployed across a network of LoRa-enabled hardware nodes, each equipped with local storage, wireless communication modules, and embedded software capable of caching, synchronization, and peer-to-peer data sharing. These nodes—referred to herein as Mesh Nodes—may take the form of smartphones, kiosks, educational tablets, solar-powered terminals, wearables, or purpose-built IoT hubs.

[023] Unlike conventional LoRaWAN deployments that follow a centralized topology, the system implements a fully decentralized, dynamically adaptive mesh network, wherein each node can function as a receiver, transmitter, data cache holder, or relay, depending on its role assignment, energy availability, and contextual factors.

[024] The core hardware stack of each node includes the following components:

A LoRa transceiver module, such as Semtech SX1262 or equivalent;

An embedded controller (e.g., STM32, ESP32, or ARM Cortex-M series);

Non-volatile memory, such as eMMC, NAND flash, or microSD storage;

A power module, which may consist of a battery, solar interface, or grid-powered supply;

Optional secondary communication modules, such as BLE, Wi-Fi, or cellular modem (2G/3G/4G);

A hardware abstraction layer (HAL) integrating the above components with the embedded software stack.

[025] Each Mesh Node operates on a modular firmware stack, designed to enable decentralized intelligence, autonomous data handling, and secure synchronization within the mesh network. The key modules include:
A routing logic layer, which governs peer-to-peer mesh communication, including dynamic path selection, packet forwarding, broadcast throttling, and loop prevention, optimized for the low-bandwidth characteristics of LoRa;

A cache management engine, responsible for assigning popularity scores to content, managing Time-To-Live (TTL) values, prioritizing data storage based on node energy availability, and enforcing eviction policies when storage limits are reached;

A synchronization manager, which handles the store-and-forward mechanism for delayed sync operations, manages data batching, link-based scheduling, and interacts with cloud endpoints or intermediate gateways during periods of connectivity;

A security subsystem, tasked with ensuring data confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity, incorporating features such as encryption, hash chaining, signature verification, and tamper-evident logging across nodes;

A role engine, which enables each node to autonomously determine and assume operational roles—such as primary router, cache holder, or passive repeater—based on real-time resource conditions, including battery health, memory availability, and current network load.
[026] The overall network is designed to function without a central server. However, nodes that intermittently connect to the internet (e.g., via mobile hotspots or solar kiosks) assume the temporary role of gateway nodes, enabling bulk synchronization with cloud services such as government scheme servers, healthcare platforms (e.g., ABHA), or educational content servers.

[027] In an alternate embodiment, the system supports a lightweight encrypted messaging protocol that allows users to send short messages to each other over the mesh network using pre-shared keys. This enables text-based communication even during internet outages or disaster zones without compromising data security.

[028] Upon initialization, each node is assigned a unique Node ID and a dynamic Functional Role Profile, which is periodically re-evaluated based on real-time factors including the device’s battery level, uptime availability, proximity to other active mesh nodes, observed usage patterns, and—where applicable—explicit user preference inputs.

[029] The system optionally includes a Social Layer Interface for low-literacy populations. Users can exchange emergency messages, data acknowledgments, or attendance tokens using visual LED patterns, NFC taps, or scannable QR pulses. This ensures usability even where digital literacy or smartphone access is limited.

[030] The firmware stack includes the following modules:

Device Role Engine (DRE): Determines whether the node should function as a relay, cache hub, sync agent, or passive receiver. This determination is based on power status, storage capacity, and environmental factors (e.g., daytime vs. nighttime for solar-powered nodes).

Mesh Routing Layer (MRL): Implements a lightweight protocol inspired by AODV (Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector) but optimized for LoRa constraints such as small payload (≤243 bytes), half-duplex operation, and high latency.

Cache Prioritization Engine (CPE): Assigns priority scores to each content item based on a composite metric:

Score = (TTL_weight × time-to-live) + (Pop_weight × popularity) − (Energy_weight × cost_to_transmit)

Sync Window Scheduler (SWS): Predicts when the node will next connect to the internet based on prior connection history, manually entered schedules (e.g., kiosk operational hours), or natural cues (e.g., solar panel charging).

Sync Queue Manager (SQM): Organizes content for outbound syncing by compressing, batching, and categorizing it according to priority (e.g., emergency, essential, informational, low-priority).

[031] Each node periodically broadcasts beacon packets containing key metadata—including its Node ID, available storage capacity, hash digest of priority content, estimated time to next external connectivity, and current energy status (such as battery percentage and solar input)—which are utilized by neighboring nodes to construct real-time neighbor tables, thereby enabling opportunistic peer-to-peer synchronization and informed, energy-aware routing decisions within the mesh network.

[032] The mesh operates using a LoRa-adapted multi-hop protocol that does not rely on any central controller or gateway. Each node evaluates broadcasted neighbor tables to make forwarding decisions. The protocol includes:

Route Discovery Phase: Initiated on-demand. Uses a unique message ID to prevent loops.

Data Forwarding Phase: Shortest, least-energy path is selected. Packet hop count is tracked.

Fallback Broadcasting: If a unicast path fails, data is sent to multiple neighbors via probabilistic flooding with TTL limit.

[033] To enhance scalability, mesh nodes are grouped into logical clusters—called shards—based on administrative region, network congestion, or usage domain. Each shard syncs data semi-independently to reduce redundancy and broadcast collision. Shard boundaries are dynamically tunable based on failure states, device load, or governance rules.

[034] The data packet structure consists of a header segment—comprising the Node ID, timestamp, time-to-live (TTL) value, and control flags—followed by a payload section containing a compressed content or data chunk, an integrity hash (such as SHA-256 or a truncated digest), and, optionally, a digital signature for authentication and tamper-evidence.

[035] Acknowledgement (ACK) packets confirm delivery. Nodes store ACK history to prevent unnecessary retransmissions. If an ACK is not received within a defined window, a retry is attempted (limited to two retries).

[036] To minimize channel contention, the system uses Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) backed with randomized back-off timers.

[037] The Cache Management Layer (CML) is a key component of each mesh node, responsible for managing the storage, ranking, expiration, and distribution of digital content within the local device.

[038] Every participating device maintains a Content Index Table (CIT) that logs metadata for every locally cached item, including a hash-based unique Content ID, timestamp of last access, time-to-live (TTL) value, access frequency count, content size in bytes, replication status across peer nodes, and the estimated energy cost required for transmission—allowing the system to make intelligent, energy-aware caching and eviction decisions.

[039] The Content Management Layer (CML) employs a multi-factor prioritization algorithm to compute a caching score for each incoming or resident content item, using the formula: Caching_Score = (W₁ × TTL) + (W₂ × Popularity_Score) − (W₃ × Energy_Cost) − (W₄ × Replication_Factor), wherein W₁ to W₄ represent configurable weighting parameters that respectively balance content freshness, user demand, energy consumption for caching, and the current degree of content duplication across the mesh.

[040] Wherein W₁, W₂, W₃, and W₄ are dynamically adjusted weighting factors; TTL denotes the content’s remaining lifespan measured in hours or days; Popularity_Score is determined based on the frequency of access requests across the mesh network; and Replication_Factor indicates the level of content redundancy within the mesh to prevent over-caching.

[041] Content with the lowest caching score is evicted first when the storage threshold is reached. Nodes with higher energy reserves (e.g., mains-powered or solar) have higher storage thresholds and act as content anchors for the mesh.

[042] To prevent duplication and optimize storage across the mesh, nodes regularly exchange content fingerprint tables using compact Bloom filters or Rabin fingerprinting to identify overlaps.

[043] Every participating device also maintains a Request History Table (RHT) for future prediction. This log tracks user behavior (e.g., which video files are accessed each morning) and helps in preloading probable content using the Predictive Engine (described later).

[044] For instance, when a sync opportunity becomes available, the system reorders its transmission queue to prioritize items flagged as “mission-critical,” such as government alerts, vaccination schedules, or local health notices, over low-priority entertainment content. This adaptive reprioritization is recalculated based on mesh-wide metadata and content TTL expiration proximity.

[045] The Delayed Sync Protocol (DSP) governs how data is transmitted to centralized cloud or server endpoints during intermittent internet availability. It ensures that the system works under a “store-wait-forward” model while optimizing for bandwidth and power.

[046] Each node organizes its outbound data into a synchronization queue that is dynamically sorted based on priority level—ranging from Emergency and Critical to Informational and Low—followed by the content’s compression ratio and its relative freshness, ensuring that the most urgent and space-efficient data is transmitted first when connectivity becomes available.

[047] Prior to initiating a synchronization window, the system executes a sequence of preparatory operations including redundancy checks to prevent re-uploading data that has already been synchronized; compression of content using lightweight codecs such as LZMA or Brotli; segmentation of large files into LoRa-compatible payload chunks; and the attachment of timestamp tags along with cryptographic hash encoding to ensure data integrity and traceability.

[048] Once a node detects a viable internet connection—whether through Wi-Fi, LTE, or another available interface—it establishes an encrypted link, broadcasts a “Gateway Announcement” to nearby mesh peers, aggregates pending synchronization payloads from surrounding nodes, and proceeds to upload the collected data in compressed bursts to optimize bandwidth and ensure secure transmission.

[049] Following the completion of a synchronization cycle, the node receives acknowledgment logs confirming successful data transmission, downlink updates such as newly available content or official government alerts, and mesh-wide notifications indicating the completion status of the sync process across neighboring nodes.

[050] If bandwidth is limited, the node applies a rate-limiting filter that sends only urgent packets and queues the rest for the next opportunity.

[051] The entire sync process is logged in a Sync Ledger, with timestamps, data sizes, node IDs, and status flags.

[052] The system incorporates a Transport Fallback System (TFS) that dynamically selects the most energy-efficient communication channel available on the device, prioritizing LoRa for low-power, long-range mesh communication by default, while switching opportunistically to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for short-range peer syncing, Wi-Fi for high-speed bulk synchronization when hotspot access is available, and 2G/3G/4G cellular networks when a SIM-enabled connection with sufficient signal strength is detected—thereby optimizing transmission efficiency across varying network conditions.

[053] Each communication interface is evaluated based on three key metrics: the energy cost incurred per kilobyte of data transmitted, the current bandwidth availability, and a link stability score that reflects the reliability of the connection over time.

[054] The node maintains a Transport Selection Table (TST) to score each available transport and selects the lowest-cost path per bit.

[055] In the event of a fallback—such as a Wi-Fi failure occurring mid-synchronization—the system automatically resumes the data transfer over LoRa or the next-best available interface, while maintaining a session integrity log and applying transport-specific retry rules to prevent data duplication and ensure reliable delivery.

[056] The transport modules are abstracted via standardized API calls to ensure compatibility with different hardware modules (e.g., Quectel EC25, SIM800L, ESP32 Wi-Fi).

[057] Security is a fundamental component of the system, given the sensitivity of potential data types (e.g., health records, government schemes, voter data).

[058] Each content packet is cryptographically signed using the node’s private key—securely stored in embedded flash memory—along with a SHA-256 hash digest computed from the payload and associated metadata, and further tagged with a digital timestamp and unique content identifier to ensure authenticity, integrity, and traceability across the mesh.

[059] Optionally, nodes incorporate a Hardware Security Module (HSM) soldered to the PCB or integrated within the SoC package. This secure enclave stores private keys, executes cryptographic operations, and features anti-tamper fusing to disable key access upon physical intrusion detection.

[060] Upon receiving a content packet, a node performs verification by checking the signature’s authenticity using the sender’s public key, validating the hash for payload integrity, and confirming the content’s validity based on its TTL timestamp to ensure it has not expired.

[061] All sync events are logged in a local hash chain ledger, where each new block (sync event) references the hash of the previous block. This creates a tamper-evident audit trail.

[062] Sensitive data (e.g., ABHA or Aadhaar-linked documents) are end-to-end encrypted using asymmetric keys and decrypted only by authorized cloud endpoints.

[063] Each node generates a ‘Proof-of-Sync Token’ after a successful sync. This token, signed cryptographically, includes metadata like timestamp, node ID, and data category.

[064] These tokens can be used to unlock content, access entitlements, or prove compliance to an external authority (e.g., for digital attendance or subsidy audits).

[065] The system optionally supports zero-knowledge proof exchanges for confirming content possession without revealing the data itself, particularly for secure government or NGO environments.

[066] Upon successful data synchronization with a designated gateway, nodes generate a tamper-proof ‘Proof-of-Sync Token’ that includes a timestamp, node ID, sync category, and cryptographic signature. These tokens serve as non-repudiable evidence of data exchange and can be used to enable digital attendance, audit trails, or access to entitlements in applications such as public service delivery or educational assessments.

[067] In an alternate embodiment, the system optionally includes a decentralized ledger interoperability layer designed to integrate with permissioned or public blockchains. This layer anchors synchronization hashes or metadata for sensitive data—such as land records, health audits, or subsidy claims—onto immutable ledgers for external verification. Such anchoring is initiated based on policy triggers, ensuring privacy is preserved while enabling public verifiability where required.

[068] The system includes a policy-triggered Digital Sovereignty Layer that governs content caching, access control, and synchronization behaviors based on geographic jurisdiction, node roles, or user category. For instance, Aadhaar-linked data may remain encrypted and inaccessible unless verified within India, while global educational content flows freely across all jurisdictions. This enables seamless integration with country-specific data privacy laws such as India’s DPDP Act and Europe’s GDPR.

[069] For critical data such as land ownership records, school certifications, or local government budgets, the system allows optional anchoring of content hashes or sync logs to permissioned or public blockchain networks, ensuring tamper-proof auditability over long durations.

USE CASE IMPLEMENTATIONS

[070] The following are examples of the invention’s real-world applicability across Indian and global contexts:

Example 1: Rural School Video Distribution

[071] A teacher uploads pre-recorded lessons to a solar-powered kiosk. Nearby students’ tablets sync these files over LoRa. When the kiosk gets Wi-Fi in the evening, it uploads logs and downloads fresh content for the next day.

Example 2: Agricultural Market Rate Broadcast

[072] A village extension officer receives mandi rate updates via mobile. His phone uploads this to the mesh, and nearby farmer devices fetch the data, even without internet.

Example 3: PHC Health Records

[073] A local health worker records patient data in offline mode. When her phone detects a cellular signal, it syncs all health records with the ABHA network. Her device acts as a temporary sync hub for 5 other health workers nearby.

Example 4: Cyclone Alert Dissemination

[074] When the NDMA pushes an emergency weather alert, a nearby kiosk node syncs it. It then multicasts the alert over LoRa to every village device with high TTL priority.

Example 5: Skill Training for Women SHGs

[075] Digital videos about tailoring, goat farming, and banking literacy are preloaded at the panchayat office. SHG members access this content via synced mobile devices, without ever needing data plans.

Example 6: Inter-Village Mesh Clusters

[076] In remote tribal belts or districts with dispersed habitations (e.g., parts of Chhattisgarh, Odisha), devices across multiple villages form region-wide mesh clusters. A solar-powered sync node installed at a gram panchayat office periodically connects to the internet and disseminates news, banking alerts, and educational content across multiple adjoining villages—even when they are several kilometers apart—purely via multi-hop LoRa relays.

FIGURE DESCRIPTIONS

[077] Figure 1: System Architecture Diagram showing LoRa-enabled mesh nodes (smartphones, kiosks, PHC devices), local caching storage, sync gateway devices, and cloud endpoints. The figure illustrates peer-to-peer mesh data propagation, edge storage, and periodic internet synchronization via the designated gateway node. Figure 1 has been submitted as ‘Figure of Abstract’.

[078] Figure 2: Node Hardware Configuration diagram depicting the internal architecture of a typical mesh node. Components include the embedded LoRa transceiver, microcontroller or processor, onboard memory for local caching, energy level monitor (battery or solar input), and optional connectivity modules (Wi-Fi, BLE, cellular).

[079] Figure 3: Integrated Software Stack and Smart Caching Logic Flow. This merged diagram illustrates the layered architecture of the system, including the LoRa transport layer, custom Data Diffusion Protocol, TTL-based cache manager, energy-aware content prioritization engine, popularity-weighted storage allocation, and application interface layer.

[080] Figure 4: Delayed Synchronization Lifecycle and Network Fallback Handling. Diagram showing the operational steps for offline data queuing, delay-tolerant sync triggers, compression before transfer, cloud gateway detection, and fallback transport switching (from LoRa to Wi-Fi, BLE, or cellular when available). It also depicts content push to the cloud endpoint once connectivity is detected.

[081] Figure 5: Secure Hash-Chained Sync Mechanism (optional – to be included if security claims retained). The figure shows how data packets are encapsulated with cryptographic hashes and timestamps forming a hash-chain ledger for each node, ensuring tamper detection and content verification upon delayed synchronization with the cloud.

[082] The invention is architected with modularity and forward compatibility in mind, enabling seamless interoperability with both current and emerging digital infrastructures in India and internationally, including integration with DigiLocker and ABHA APIs for secure synchronization of government documents and health records; BharatNet and PM-WANI networks for opportunistic broadband uplinks; open educational content platforms like DIKSHA and SWAYAM for automated learning material synchronization; decentralized identity systems such as Aadhaar, ABHA, and global DID standards; and disaster response frameworks supported by entities like NDMA, UNDRR, and Red Cross coordination networks.

[083] To ensure long-term adaptability, the invention includes multiple future-proofing considerations such as modular compatibility with upcoming 6G networks and LEO satellite connectivity for enabling uplinks in deep rural areas; the potential integration of quantum-resistant encryption algorithms like CRYSTALS-Kyber to secure communications once standardized; on-device AI-powered mesh optimization for dynamic, self-learning routing paths; optional blockchain anchoring to create immutable audit trails for sensitive data such as election results or rural land records; and support for eSIM technology with remote provisioning capabilities to allow field-deployed devices to activate synchronization functions dynamically based on network availability or policy triggers.

[084] This invention is designed to be upgradable via over-the-air firmware updates (FOTA), making it scalable for deployment across diverse hardware ecosystems—ranging from ₹2000 feature phones to ₹50,000 edge tablets.

[085] The present invention constitutes a non-obvious and substantial technical advancement over existing systems for communication and content caching, meeting the statutory requirements of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability as per Sections 2(1)(j) and 2(1)(ja) of the Indian Patents Act, 1970. Rather than offering a mere software refinement or cosmetic enhancement, the invention introduces a hardware-tethered system architecture, where all key functionalities are realized through embedded firmware operating directly on physical components such as LoRa transceivers, microcontrollers, secure memory modules, and energy-aware routing logic. These operations—including caching, synchronization, and adaptive transport fallback—occur at the device level and are demonstrably reproducible, thereby establishing the invention’s technical credibility and practical viability.

[086] Given its hardware-centric execution and embedded-system deployment, the invention does not fall within exclusions under Section 3(k) (computer program per se) or Section 3(d) (mere new use or trivial modification of known systems) of the Indian Patents Act. The claimed system generates a concrete technical effect by enabling resilient, delay-tolerant mesh communication in environments with unreliable or no internet—especially relevant for rural, disaster-prone, or infrastructure-poor regions. As such, the invention tackles a real-world connectivity challenge through an original architectural framework, positioning it well for strong enforceability and protection not only under Indian law but also within international IP regimes, including the PCT, USPTO, and EPO standards.

GLOSSARY

Term
Definition
TTL
Time-To-Live – Duration content remains valid before expiration.
LoRa
Long Range Radio – Low-power wireless protocol for long-distance communication.
PHC
Primary Health Centre – Rural or semi-urban healthcare facility in India.
SHG
Self-Help Group – Community-based cooperative unit, often for rural finance/governance.
OTA
Over-The-Air – Wireless method to update firmware/software remotely.
PDS
Public Distribution System – Government-run system for distributing subsidized essentials.
UPI
Unified Payments Interface – Real-time mobile-based digital payment system.
ABHA
Ayushman Bharat Health Account – Digital health ID framework under NDHM.
BLE
Bluetooth Low Energy – Wireless communication for short-range low-power connections.
CIT
Content Index Table – Local metadata structure storing content attributes.
TFS
Transport Fallback System – Logic that selects the best data channel dynamically.
DID
Decentralized Identifier – Blockchain-based identity model.
NVM
Non-Volatile Memory – Persistent storage retaining data without power.
AI
Artificial Intelligence – Machine-based decision-making logic (e.g., predictive caching).
DTN
Delay-Tolerant Network – Networking model supporting irregular/long-delayed transmission.
CML
Cache Management Logic – System for scoring, storing, and evicting cached content.
QR
Quick Response (Code) – Machine-readable code for device/UI interaction.
LED
Light Emitting Diode – Visual indicator or signaling output on hardware.
HAL
Hardware Abstraction Layer – Software layer managing device hardware interface.
API
Application Programming Interface – Defined method to interact with external systems.
eMMC
Embedded MultiMediaCard – Flash storage embedded in devices.
NAND
Flash memory type used for non-volatile data storage.
ESP32
Low-power microcontroller with integrated Wi-Fi and BLE.
STM32
ARM Cortex-M based microcontroller widely used in IoT devices.

, Claims:Claim 1: A decentralized mesh communication system comprising a plurality of low-power wireless transceiver-enabled nodes (preferably but not limited to LoRa), each node including a transceiver, microcontroller, non-volatile memory, and a power supply module, wherein: (i) each node operates as a peer in a multi-hop mesh network without reliance on centralized gateways; (ii) each node caches digital content locally using a multi-factor caching algorithm based on time-to-live (TTL), content popularity across the mesh, and device energy availability; and (iii) any node, upon detecting internet connectivity, initiates delayed synchronization by aggregating queued content from itself and neighboring nodes, compressing and chunking the data, and uploading it to a remote server with cryptographic verification.

Claim 2: A method for distributed content caching in a LoRa-based mesh network, wherein each node (i) assigns a caching score to stored digital content based on parameters including time-to-live (TTL), access frequency, transmission or storage energy cost, and replication status among neighboring nodes; (ii) updates or evicts cached items according to dynamic caching score thresholds; and (iii) exchanges compact content metadata, selected from Bloom filters or Rabin fingerprints, with peer nodes to minimize duplication and optimize mesh-wide storage efficiency.

Claim 3: A method for opportunistic data synchronization in a decentralized LoRa-based mesh system, wherein each node (i) detects internet connectivity through one or more transport interfaces selected from LoRa, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), cellular (2G/3G/4G), or satellite; (ii) dynamically scores available transports based on energy cost, bandwidth availability, and link stability; (iii) initiates a synchronization process upon connectivity by aggregating queued data from neighboring nodes, compressing and uploading the data in chunked format, and receiving cloud acknowledgment; and (iv) maintains a tamper-evident hash chain of synchronization events to ensure data integrity and auditability.

Claim 4: The system of Claim 1 or method of Claim 3, wherein each content packet includes a cryptographic signature, digital timestamp, and hash digest, and each receiving node validates authenticity and integrity before accepting or relaying said content.

Claim 5: The method of Claim 2, wherein each node maintains a historical request log and utilizes a lightweight predictive model to pre-fetch and cache future content likely to be accessed, based on observed usage patterns and time-based heuristics.

Claim 6: The method of Claim 3, wherein a node with available connectivity broadcasts a gateway announcement beacon, triggering surrounding nodes to submit their queued payloads for synchronized upload, wherein bandwidth-constrained nodes prioritize urgent content tagged with a critical flag.

Claim 7: The system of Claim 1, wherein firmware updates are disseminated across the mesh using a segmented, error-tolerant broadcasting protocol with chunk verification and retry logic, allowing for over-the-air firmware upgrades without full internet dependency.

Claim 8: The system of claim 1, wherein each node further comprises a predictive pre-fetching module configured to analyze historical content access patterns and autonomously cache data predicted to be in future demand during the next anticipated connectivity window.

Claim 9: The system of claim 1, wherein two or more mesh nodes are configured to exchange non-redundant cached data directly with each other using a peer-to-peer handshake protocol, thereby enabling collaborative content propagation within an offline environment.

Claim 10: The system of claim 1, wherein each node further comprises a role engine that dynamically assigns operational roles—such as sync master, cache hub, or data relay—based on real-time device conditions including energy level, uptime, and neighbor density; and further includes (i) an energy-aware routing and caching mechanism that prioritizes data propagation and storage through nodes with higher energy availability or grid connection, (ii) a human-readable interaction interface selected from LED indicators, QR codes, vibration alerts, or audio tones to support accessibility in low-literacy environments, (iii) transport-level fallback logic that resumes synchronization over alternative interfaces upon mid-transfer failure, preserving session integrity via tamper-evident logs, and (iv) compatibility with Indian digital public infrastructure, including but not limited to Aadhaar, DigiLocker, and ABHA APIs, for offline access and synchronized provisioning of identity-linked data or entitlements.