1. A data communication system, comprising: a first electronic device (102b) that includes a central processing unit (CPU), wherein said CPU (202) is configured to: receive a first content from a second electronic device using a first offline wireless network feature; detect a third electronic device (102c) to which said first content is to be communicated in an offline wireless network, wherein said third electronic device is located at a distance that is beyond an offline wireless communication range from said second electronic device (102a); detect a plurality of offline wireless network features available in said third electronic device; select a second offline wireless network feature from said detected plurality of offline wireless network features to communicate said first content to said third electronic device (102c), wherein said second offline wireless network feature is selected based on a speed parameter associated with each of said detected plurality of offline wireless network features and a content-type of said first content; and communicate said first content received from said second electronic device to said third electronic device using said selected second offline wireless network feature. 41

2. The data communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said CPU (202) is configured to determine said content-type of said first content received from said second electronic device (102a).

3. The data communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said CPU (202) is configured to encapsulate data packets of a first network-type inside a second network-type used for communication of said first content, wherein said first network-type corresponds to said first offline wireless network feature and said second network-type corresponds to said selected second offline wireless network feature.

4. The data communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said CPU (202) is configured to register said first electronic device (102b) as a proxy node in said offline wireless network.

5. The data communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said CPU (202) is configured to establish communication with said third electronic device (102c) using an online wireless network based on a failure status of said detection of said third electronic device (102c) in said offline wireless network.

6. The data communication system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said CPU (202) is configured to turn on one of said plurality of offline wireless network features available with said third electronic device (102c) via said online wireless network 42 for said communication of said first content via said one of said plurality of offline wireless network features.

7. The data communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first offline wireless network feature is different from said second offline wireless network feature.

8. The data communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first offline wireless network feature is same as said second offline wireless network feature.

9. The data communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said CPU (202) is further configured to set said first electronic device (102b) as a proxy node in said offline wireless network, by use of an application provided in said first electronic device, for a two-way data exchange between said second electronic device (102a) and said third electronic device (102c), based on a presence of said third electronic device beyond said offline wireless communication range from said second electronic device.

10. The data communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said CPU (202) is configured to generate an unique identifier by use of an application provided in said first electronic device (102b).

11. A method for offline data communication, comprising the steps: 43 in a first electronic device (102b) that includes a central processing unit (CPU): receiving, by said CPU (202), a first content from a second electronic device (102a) using a first offline wireless network feature; detecting, by said CPU, a third electronic device (102c) to which said first content is to be communicated in an offline wireless network, wherein said third electronic device (102c) is located at a distance that is beyond an offline wireless communication range from said second electronic device (102a); detecting, by said CPU, a plurality of offline wireless network features available in said third electronic device (102c); selecting, by said CPU, a second offline wireless network feature from said detected plurality of offline wireless network features to communicate said first content to said third electronic device, wherein said second offline wireless network feature is selected based on a speed parameter associated with each of said detected plurality of offline wireless network features and a content-type of said first content; and communicating, by said CPU, said first content received from said second electronic device to said third electronic device using said selected second offline wireless network feature. 44

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, comprising determining, by said CPU (202), said content-type of said first content received from said second electronic device (102a).

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, comprising encapsulating, by said CPU (202), data packets of a first network-type inside a second network-type used for communication of said first content, wherein said first network-type corresponds to said first offline wireless network feature and said second network-type corresponds to said selected second offline wireless network feature.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, comprising registering, by said CPU (202), said first electronic device (102b) as a proxy node in said offline wireless network.

15. The method as claimed in claim 11, comprising establishing, by said CPU (202), a communication with said third electronic device (102c) using an online wireless network based on a failure status of said detection of said third electronic device in said offline wireless network.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, comprising turning on, by said CPU (202), one of said plurality of offline wireless network features available with said third electronic device (102c) via said online wireless network for said communication 45 of said first content via said one of said plurality of offline wireless network features.

17. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first offline wireless network feature is different from said second offline wireless network feature.

18. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first offline wireless network feature is same as said second offline wireless network feature.

19. The method as claimed in claim 11, comprising setting, by said CPU (202), said first electronic device (102b) as a proxy node in said offline wireless network, by use of an application provided in said first electronic device, for a two-way data exchange between said second electronic device (102a) and said third electronic device (102c), based on a presence of said third electronic device beyond said offline wireless communication range from said second electronic device.

20. The method as claimed in claim 11, comprising generating, by said CPU (202), an unique identifier by use of an application provided in said first electronic device (102b).

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
62/461,474 filed on February 21, 2017, the entire content of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various embodiments of the invention relate to network communication
technologies. More specifically, various embodiments of the invention relate to a system
and method for data communication by virtual network boosting using proxy nodes in
wireless networks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Existing offline wireless network technologies are based on certain
standards, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and the like, which have data
communication limitations based on the technology design and hardware configuration.
For example, each wireless network standard, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, used to
exchange data over short distances has its own specifications and a definite hardware
and wireless network range. In certain scenarios, two devices may need to
communicate data with each other in an offline wireless network. The two devices may
not be in an offline wireless network range with each other. In such scenarios, it may be
a challenging task to enable data communication between such devices that are not in
2
the offline wireless network range without the use of any special and costly hardware,
for example, Wi-Fi signal boosters, dedicated access points, or Wi-Fi repeaters.
[0004] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional
approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of
described systems with some aspects of the present invention, as set forth in the
remainder of the present application and with reference to the drawings.
3
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A system and method for data communication by virtual network boosting
using proxy nodes in wireless networks are provided substantially as shown in, and/or
described in connection with, at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in
the claims.
[0006] These and other features and advantages of the present invention may be
appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the present invention,
along with the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals refer to like parts
throughout.
4
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network environment for data communication
by virtual network boosting using proxy nodes in wireless networks, in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary electronic device for
data communication by virtual network boosting using proxy nodes in wireless networks,
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 3A illustrates a first exemplary scenario for implementation of the
disclosed system and method for data communication by virtual network boosting using
proxy nodes in wireless networks, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 3B illustrates a second exemplary scenario for implementation of the
disclosed system and method for data communication by virtual network boosting using
proxy nodes in wireless networks, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0011] FIGs. 4A and 4B, collectively, depict a flow chart that illustrates an exemplary
method for data communication by virtual network boosting using proxy nodes in
wireless networks, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart that illustrate another exemplary method for data
communication by virtual network boosting using proxy nodes in wireless networks, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0013] The following described implementations may be found in the disclosed
system and method for data communication by virtual network boosting using proxy
5
nodes in wireless networks. Various embodiments of the disclosed system and method
simplifies data communication, and enhances network coverage of network
technologies, such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Wi-Fi beyond their standard specification.
The system utilizes proxy nodes in a cost-effective manner such that even without
addition of a dedicated hardware, networking capabilities of existing offline wireless
network technologies may be significantly increased.
[0014] Exemplary aspects of the invention may include a first electronic device,
which may receive a first content from a second electronic device using a first offline
wireless network feature. The first electronic device may be configured to detect a third
electronic device to which the first content is to be communicated in an offline wireless
network. The third electronic device may be located at a distance that is beyond an
offline wireless communication range from the second electronic device. The first
electronic device may be configured to register itself as a proxy node in the offline
wireless network. The first electronic device may be configured to detect a plurality of
offline wireless network features available in the third electronic device. The first
electronic device may be configured to select a second offline wireless network feature
from the detected plurality of offline wireless network features to communicate the first
content to the third electronic device. The selection of the second offline wireless
network feature may be done based on a speed parameter associated with each of the
detected plurality of offline wireless network features and a content-type of the first
content. The first electronic device may be configured to communicate the first content
received from the second electronic device to the third electronic device using the
selected second offline wireless network feature.
6
[0015] In accordance with an embodiment, the first electronic device may be
configured to determine the content-type of the first content received from the second
electronic device. The first electronic device may be configured to encapsulate data
packets of a first network-type inside a second network-type used for communication of
the first content. The first network-type may correspond to the first offline wireless
network feature. The second network-type may correspond to the selected second
offline wireless network feature.
[0016] In accordance with an embodiment, the first electronic device may be
configured to establish communication with the third electronic device using an online
wireless network. The communication with the third electronic device may be
established using the online wireless network based on a failure status of the detection
of the third electronic device in the offline wireless network. The first electronic device
may be configured to turn on one of the plurality of offline wireless network features
available in the third electronic device via the online wireless network for the
communication of the first content via the one of the plurality of offline wireless network
features.
[0017] In accordance with an embodiment, the first offline wireless network feature
may be different from the second offline wireless network feature. In some
embodiments, the first offline wireless network feature may be same as the second
offline wireless network feature. The first electronic device may be set as a proxy node
in the offline wireless network for a two-way data exchange between the second
electronic device and the third electronic device. The first electronic device may be set
7
as a proxy node based on a presence of the third electronic device beyond the offline
wireless communication range from the second electronic device.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network environment for offline data
communication by virtual network boosting using proxy nodes in offline wireless
networks, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. With reference to FIG. 1,
there is shown an exemplary environment 100. The exemplary environment 100 may
include a plurality of electronic devices, such as electronic devices 102a, 102b, and
102c, a first offline wireless communication network 104, a second offline wireless
communication network 106, and a plurality of users, such as users 108a, 108b, and
108c. Each of the electronic devices 102a, 102b, and 102c may include a smart network
application, such as applications 110a, 110b, and 110c, as shown.
[0019] Each of the plurality of electronic devices, such as electronic devices 102a,
102b, and 102c, may include suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code for offline
communication with other electronic devices, via one or more offline communication
networks. The user 108a may correspond to a user of the electronic device 102a. The
user 108b may correspond to a user of the electronic device 102b and the user 108c
may correspond to a user of the electronic device 102c. Examples of the plurality of
electronic devices, such as electronic devices 102a, 102b, and 102c, may include, but
not limited to, a smartphone, a wearable device, a tablet computer, a laptop, a personal
computer, a television, a speaker system, a camera, a computing device, and the like.
[0020] The first offline wireless communication network 104 may be a medium that
may facilitate a communication between a second electronic device (such as the
electronic device 102a) and a first electronic device (such as the electronic device
8
102b). The second offline wireless communication network 106 may be a medium that
may enable communication between the first electronic device (such as the electronic
device 102b) and a third electronic device (such as the electronic device 102c). The first
offline wireless communication network 104 and the second offline wireless
communication network 106 may be implemented by one or more offline wireless
communication technologies known in the art. Examples of offline wireless
communication networks may include, but not be limited to, a wireless personal area
network (WPAN), such as Bluetooth based network, a Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi) based
network, a Light-Fidelity (Li-Fi) based network, Zigbee, a near field communication
(NFC), a Wi-Max based network, a short-range or medium-range wireless
communication network, and/or variants thereof.
[0021] Each smart network application, such as the applications 110a, 110b and
110c, comprise suitable logic and/or code that may be configured to act as a proxy node
to facilitate two-way data communication between two electronic devices, such as the
electronic devices 102a and 102c. For example, the application 110b installed in the
electronic device 102b may act as the proxy node to facilitate two-way data
communication between two electronic devices, such as the electronic devices 102a
and 102c. Each of the applications 110a, 110b and 110c, may include software wrapper
layers programmed over existing offline network feature stacks, such as Bluetooth, Wi-
Fi, Wi-Fi-direct stacks to enhance network coverage of existing offline network features,
such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi-direct, or Zigbee, beyond their standard specifications.
[0022] Various factors may determine an offline wireless communication range of
various offline wireless network features, based on the technology design and hardware
9
configurations as specified in technology standards. The various factors that determine
the offline wireless communication range may include, for example: a) a specific
communication protocol executed by a particular offline wireless network feature; b) a
strength of a device transmitter in the electronic device, and the nature of physical
obstructions; and c) a radio interference in the surrounding area that defines the
coverage area (i.e. the offline wireless communication range of that particular offline
wireless network feature). For example, a typical Wi-Fi range using traditional 2.4 GHz
band varies from 10 to 50 meters (m) in indoor environment and about 10 to 92 meters
in outdoor environment. Typical Wi-Fi range using traditional 5 GHz bands may even be
smaller than the 2.4 GHz band. Thus, different variants of IEEE 802.11 (such as 802.11,
802.11b, 802.11c, and the like) may vary in offline communication range as prescribed
in standards or technology specifications. Similarly, depending on Bluetooth version or
class type, the Bluetooth network range may vary from 10 to 240 meters subject to
indoor or outdoor environment conditions. Further, Bluetooth protocol operates on a
master-slave model known in the art, where usually one master device is limited to
communicate with up to seven slave devices in a piconet. For the sake of brevity and
understanding, consider that all the electronic devices 102a, 102b, and 102c comprise
both the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi offline network features, where the maximum Bluetooth
range in the indoor environment condition is “X” meters (m), for example, 40 meters,
and a maximum Wi-Fi range in the same indoor environment condition is “Y” meters
(m), for example, 50 m.
[0023] Thus, the first electronic device (such as the electronic device 102b) may be
within an offline wireless communication range of the second electronic device (such as
10
the electronic device 102a). The third electronic device (such as the electronic device
102c) may be located at a distance (for example, 80 meters in this case) that is beyond
the offline wireless communication range (e.g., maximum Bluetooth or Wi-Fi range as
per standard specifications) from the second electronic device (such as the electronic
device 102a). In certain scenarios, the user 108a of the second electronic device (such
as the electronic device 102a) may need to communicate data with the third electronic
device (such as the electronic device 102c) located beyond the offline wireless
communication range, for example, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi range as per existing standards,
in an offline wireless network (not Internet).
[0024] In operation, each of the plurality of electronic devices, such as the electronic
devices 102a, 102b, and 102c, may generate a unique identifier, by use of
corresponding applications 110a, 110b, and 110c. For example, the electronic device
102a may generate a unique identifier “E0001” by use of the application 110a. The
electronic device 102b may generate a unique identifier “E0002” by use of the
application 110b. Similarly, the electronic device 102c may generate a unique identifier
“E0003” by use of the application 110c. In some embodiments, the plurality of users,
such as users 108a, 108b, and 108c, associated with the plurality of electronic devices
may register their electronic device by use of the applications 110a, 110b, and 110c.
The registration may be a one-time activity, and once registered a group of registered
electronic devices may be created. The group of registered electronic devices may
represent the users who have provided consent to be a part of an offline data
communication service.
11
[0025] In accordance with an embodiment, each of the plurality of electronic devices,
such as the electronic devices 102a, 102b, and 102c, may scan for a plurality of offline
wireless network-features enabled devices in their vicinity. For example, nearby devices
with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC-enabled devices, may be searched by use of the
applications 110a, 110b, and 110c. Further, each of the plurality of electronic devices,
such as the electronic devices 102a, 102b, and 102c, may be configured to compute a
distance with respect to each other based on a signal strength detected at the time of
the scan. For example, the second electronic device (such as the electronic device
102a) may be at a distance of “X” meters (for example, 40 m) from the first electronic
device (such as the electronic device 102b). The first electronic device (such as the
electronic device 102b) may be located at a distance of “X” meters (for example, 40 m)
from both the second electronic device (such as the electronic device 102a) and the
third electronic device (such as the electronic device 102c).
[0026] The second electronic device (such as the electronic device 102a) may
comprise certain offline wireless network features, such as Bluetooth. In some
embodiments, the second electronic device (such as the electronic device 102a) may
be configured to detect, by use of the application 110a that the first electronic device
(such as the electronic device 102b) comprises unique identifiers of the second
electronic device (such as the electronic device 102a) and the third electronic device
(such as the electronic device 102c). The presence of unique identifiers in the first
electronic device (such as the electronic device 102b) indicate that the first electronic
device is within the offline wireless communication range of both the source device (i.e.
the electronic device 102a from which a first content is to be communicated) and a
12
target device (i.e. the electronic device 102c to which the first content is to be
communicated). Thus, the second electronic device (such as the electronic device
102a) may be configured to select the first electronic device (such the electronic device
102b) as a proxy node for offline data communication.
[0027] In some embodiments, the second electronic device (such as the electronic
device 102a) may be configured to generate a distance map, by use of the application
110a. The distance map may include a distance of the electronic device 102a with
respect to other nearby electronic devices, such as the electronic device 102b. The
distance may be computed based on the signal strength detected from other nearby
electronic devices at the time of the scan. Similarly, distance maps may be generated
by each of the plurality of electronic devices. Each of the plurality of electronic devices,
may share, sync, and thereby update their distance map with other nearby electronic
devices within their offline communication range, by use of their respective applications
110a to 110c. The distance map may also include a number of devices (represented for
example as unique identifiers) accessible to each of the plurality of electronic devices.
The second electronic device (such as electronic device 102a) may be configured to
select one or more proxy nodes based on the updated distance map to communicate a
first content to the target device, such as the electronic device 102c. For example,
based on the updated distance map, the second electronic device (such as electronic
device 102a) may be configured to detect that the end recipient device, such as the
electronic device 102c, is accessible to the electronic device 102b. Thus, the electronic
device 102a may be configured to select the electronic device 102b as a proxy node to
communicate the first content.
13
[0028] In accordance with an embodiment, the first electronic device (such as the
electronic device 102b) may be configured to receive the first content from the second
electronic device (such as the electronic device 102a) using a first offline wireless
network feature, such as Bluetooth. The first electronic device (such as the electronic
device 102b) may be configured to detect the third electronic device (such as the
electronic device 102c) to which the first content is to be communicated in an offline
wireless network. The first electronic device (such as the electronic device 102b) may
be configured to detect the third electronic device based on an analysis of the received
first content. The received first content may also include an appended metadata, which
may comprise a unique identifier of the target device (i.e. the third electronic device in
this case) to which the first content is to be communicated. As the first electronic device
(such as the electronic device 102b) also includes the unique identifier of the target
device, the first electronic device may be configured to register and set itself as the
proxy node by use of the application 110b in the offline wireless network. The
application 110b installed in the first electronic device acts as the actual proxy node to
facilitate a two-way data exchange between the second electronic device and the third
electronic device. The application 110b installed in the first electronic device acts as the
proxy node when the first electronic device (such as the electronic device 102b) detects
that the unique identifier (e.g. E0003) of the third electronic device (such as the
electronic device 102c) is absent in the second electronic device (such as the electronic
device 102b). Further, the application 110b installed in the first electronic device acts as
the proxy node when the second electronic device (i.e. a source of the first content) is
14
located at a distance beyond the offline wireless communication range from the third
electronic device (i.e. end receipt of the first content).
[0029] The first electronic device (such as the electronic device 102b) may be
configured to determine the content-type of the first content received from the second
electronic device (such as the electronic device 102a). For example, the content type of
the first content may be determined as audio. Further, the first electronic device (such
as the electronic device 102b) may be configured to detect a plurality of offline wireless
network features available in the third electronic device (such as the electronic device
102c). The first electronic device (such as the electronic device 102b) may be
configured to select a second offline wireless network feature from the detected plurality
of offline wireless network features to communicate the first content to the third
electronic device (such as the electronic device 102c). The selection of the second
offline wireless network feature may be done based on a speed parameter associated
with each of the detected plurality of offline wireless network features and the
determined content-type of the first content. Alternatively stated, the second electronic
device may be configured to select, by use of the application 110b, a suitable and
fastest network feature based on the determined content-type and device capabilities
related to availability of offline wireless network features.
[0030] In some embodiments, in cases where the first content is received by the first
electronic device (such as the electronic device 102b) using the first offline wireless
network feature, such as Bluetooth, the other offline wireless network feature, such as
Wi-Fi, of the first electronic device may be in a disabled state. However, when the
second electronic device detects by use of the application 110b that the third electronic
15
device have both the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi network features, the second electronic
device (such as the electronic device 102b) may automatically enable its Wi-Fi network
feature for offline data communication. Thereafter, the second offline wireless network
feature, such as Wi-Fi, is selected as a communication medium to communicate the
first content.
[0031] In accordance with an embodiment, the first electronic device (such as the
electronic device 102b) may be configured to encapsulate data packets of a first
network-type inside a second network-type. The first network-type may correspond to
the first offline wireless network feature. The second network-type may correspond to
the selected second offline wireless network feature used for communication of the first
content. For example, in this case data packets of Bluetooth network-type may be
encapsulated inside Wi-Fi network-type to enable final communication of the first
content using the Wi-Fi network feature (i.e. the selected second offline wireless
network feature).
[0032] In accordance with an embodiment, the first electronic device (such as the
electronic device 102b) may be configured to communicate the first content received
from the second electronic device (such as the electronic device 102a) to the third
electronic device (such as the electronic device 102c) using the selected second offline
wireless network feature. Thus, for the existing offline networking technologies, such as
Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi-direct, Wi-Fi, NFC, and the like, smart network applications,
such the applications 110a, 110b, and 110c, may be configured such that one or more
of the applications 110a, 110b, and 110c acts as one or more proxy nodes to provide
offline data communication between end to end devices providing more coverage area
16
than existing standard defined range. For example, the second electronic device (such
as the electronic device 102a) is able to communicate data to third electronic device
(such as the electronic device 102c, which is at 2X meters (for example 80 meters)
distance from the electronic device 102a) even though standard Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
features (currently available in the second electronic device) typically does not support
an offline communication range beyond the range specified in standards. The offline
communication range or the coverage area is expanded, for example, doubled (2X),
without any additional hardware requirement, such as relay boosters, signal boosters,
and the like. This offline data communication by the group of registered devices (or
users) using Bluetooth/Wi-Fi-direct beyond the restricted coverage area (or
communication range) may find application in a local area offline communication, for
example, sharing of images, audio, video, an offline chat messenger, in an
organization, an apartment, registered communities, and the like. Further, with one
intermediate device or proxy node, such as the first electronic device (i.e. the electronic
device 102b), the existing offline network technologies capacity can be doubled with
respect to their current standards. If more electronic devices are used as proxy nodes
(or proxy agents), then the coverage area may increase proportionally to number of the
proxy nodes used. An example related to use a plurality of proxy nodes, is described,
for example, in FIG. 3.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary electronic device for
offline data communication by virtual network boosting using proxy nodes in offline
wireless networks, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is
explained in conjunction with elements from FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 2, there is
17
shown a first electronic device, such as the electronic device 102b. The first electronic
device, such as the electronic device 102b, may include a central processing unit (CPU)
202 and a memory 204. The memory 204 may include transmission buffers 206 and
reception buffers 208. The electronic device 102b may further include an input/output
(I/O) device 210 and one or more transceivers 212. The application 110b may be
installed in the memory 204. There is further shown one or more transceivers 212
provided in the electronic device 102b.
[0034] In accordance with an embodiment, the one or more transceivers 212 of the
electronic device 102b may facilitate communication with other electronic devices, such
as the electronic devices 102a and 102c. The CPU 202 may be communicatively
coupled to the memory 204, the I/O device 210, and/or the one or more transceivers
212, via a system bus. A person of ordinary skill in the art may understand that the
second electronic device (such as the electronic device 102a) and the third
communication device (such as the electronic device 102c), may be similar to the first
electronic device (such as the electronic device 102b). Hence, the aforementioned
electronic devices may have similar components and functionality as that described with
reference to the electronic device 102b in FIG. 2.
[0035] The CPU 202 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code
that may be configured to execute a set of instructions stored in the memory 204. The
CPU 202 may be configured to execute a set of instructions by use of the application
110b installed in the memory 204. The CPU 202 may be implemented, based on a
number of processor technologies known in the art. Examples of the CPU 202 may be
an X86-based processor, a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) processor, an
18
Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) processor, a Complex Instruction Set
Computing (CISC) processor, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, and/or other
processing circuitry or control circuits.
[0036] The memory 204 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or interfaces that
may be configured to store a set of instructions executable by the CPU 202. The
memory 204 may be further configured to temporarily store one or more data packets
associated with ongoing offline data communication handled by the electronic device
102b. The memory 204 may further store data related to the application 110b. For
instance, the memory 204 may store a list of registered devices, distance among
devices, and unique identifiers in association with each other. Examples of
implementation of the memory 204 may include, but not limited to, Random Access
Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a solid state drive
(SSD), and/or a Secure Digital (SD) card.
[0037] The transmission buffers 206 and the reception buffers 208 may correspond
to dedicated portions of the memory 204, which may be reserved to store data related
to offline data communication. For instance, the reception buffers 208 may be used to
temporally store data packets received from the second electronic device (such as the
electronic device 102a). Similarly, the transmission buffers 206 may be used to
temporally store and prepare data packets for communication to other electronic device,
such as other proxy nodes or the end recipient device, for example, the electronic
device 102c. In accordance with an embodiment, the transmission buffers 206 and the
reception buffers 208 may be implemented as memory registers created by the
application 110b that may belong to a portion of the memory 204.
19
[0038] The I/O device 210 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or
code for various input and output devices that may be configured to communicate with
the CPU 202. The I/O device 210 may be configured to receive an input from the user
108b. The input from the user 108b may correspond to a command to initiate offline
data communication. In addition, the user 108b may provide an input to operate one or
more applications, such as the application 110b, of the electronic device 102b.
Examples of the input devices may include, but are not limited to, an imaging unit, a
camcorder, a touch screen, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a microphone, a motion
sensor, a light sensor, and/or a docking station. In accordance with an embodiment, the
I/O device 210 may also include one or more front-facing or rear-facing cameras that
may be used to record video feeds of a user or other objects around the user. The I/O
device 210 may also be configured to provide an output to the user 108b. The output
may also be associated with the application 110b operated on the electronic device
102b. Examples of the output devices may include, but may not be limited to, a display
screen, a projector screen, and/or a speaker.
[0039] The application 110b comprise suitable logic, and/or code that may be
configured to act as a proxy node to facilitate two-way data communication between two
electronic devices, such as the electronic devices 102a and 102c. In accordance with
an embodiment, the application 110b may include intermediate software component
installed in the memory 204. In some embodiments, the application 110b may be
implemented as software wrapper layers programmed over existing offline network
feature stacks, such as Bluetooth/Wi-Fi-direct stacks. In accordance with an
20
embodiment, the functionalities of the application 110b may be implemented as a part of
the CPU 202.
[0040] The one or more transceivers 212 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,
interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to communicate with other electronic
devices, in various offline communication networks, such as the first offline wireless
communication network 104 and the second offline wireless communication network
106. The one or more transceivers 212 may implement known technologies to support
wireless communication. The one or more transceivers 212 may include, but are not
limited to, an antenna, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a
tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a coder-decoder (CODEC)
chipset, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, and/or a local buffer. The one or more
transceivers 212 may communicate via offline and online wireless communication with
networks, such as the Internet, an Intranet, and/or a wireless network, such as a cellular
telephone network, a wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or a metropolitan area
network (MAN). The wireless communication may use any of a plurality of
communication standards, protocols and technologies, such as Global System for
Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), wideband
code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), LTE,
time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (such as IEEE
802.11, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, and/or any other IEEE 802.11
protocol), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, Internet-of-Things (IoT)
technology, Machine-Type-Communication (MTC) technology, a protocol for email,
instant messaging, and/or Short Message Service (SMS).
21
[0041] The functions and/or operations performed by the electronic device 102b, as
described in FIG. 1, may be performed by the CPU 202. Other operations performed by
the CPU 202 are further described, for example, in FIGs. 3, 4A, 4B, and 5.
[0042] FIG. 3A illustrates a first exemplary scenario for implementation of the
disclosed system and method for offline data communication by virtual network boosting
using proxy nodes in offline wireless networks, in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention. With reference to FIG. 3A, there is shown an exemplary scenario 300A.
The exemplary scenario 300A may include the plurality of electronic devices, such as
electronic devices 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, and 102f. Each of the plurality of
electronic devices may include a smart network (SN) application, such as the
applications 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, and 110f.
[0043] In accordance with the exemplary scenario, the electronic devices 102a,
102c, 102d, 102e, and 102f may be a smartphone. The electronic device 102b may be
a laptop. The distances (in meters) between the plurality of electronic devices, such as
electronic devices 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, and 102f, is shown in the FIG. 3A.
[0044] In operation, the electronic device 102a may be configured to generate a
unique identifier, by use of the application 110a. Similarly, each of the other electronic
devices, such as the electronic devices 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, and 102f may also
generate a unique identifier, by use of corresponding applications 110b, 110c, 110d,
110e, and 110f. The electronic device 102a may be configured to scan, by use of the
application 110a, a plurality of offline wireless network-features enabled devices in the
vicinity of the electronic device 102a. The electronic device 102a may be configured to
generate a distance map, by use of the application 110a. Thereafter, the electronic
22
device 102a may be configured to select one or more proxy nodes based on the
generated distance map. An exemplary distance map is depicted in Table 1.
Device_Name Unique
_Identifier
User_name Accessible_to Distance_to
Electronic
device 102a
E0001 XXA E0002 E0002: 10m
Electronic
device 102b
E0002 XXB E0001; E0003; E0004 E0001:10m;
E0003:50m;
E0004:40m;
Electronic
device 102c
E0003 XXC E0002; E0004; E0005 E0002:50m;
E0004:50m;
E0005:50m
Electronic
device 102d
E0004 XXD E0002; E0003; E0005;
E0006
E0002:40m;
E0003:50m;
E0005:30m;
E0006:40m
Electronic
device 102e
E0005 XXE E0003; E0004; E0006 E0003:50m;
E0004:30m;
E0006:50m
Electronic
device 102f
E0006 XXF E0004; E0005 E0004:40m;
E0005:50m
TABLE 1: An updated distance map
23
[0045] The distance map may include a distance of the electronic device 102a with
respect to other nearby electronic devices, such as the electronic device 102b, within
the offline communication range of the electronic device 102a (e.g. E0002: 10m). The
distance may be computed based on a signal strength detected from other nearby
electronic devices at the time of the scan. Similarly, distance maps may be generated
by each of the plurality of electronic devices, such as the electronic devices 102b to
102f. In accordance with an embodiment, each of the plurality of electronic devices,
such as the electronic devices 102a to 102f, may share and sync their distance map
with other nearby electronic devices within their offline communication range, by use of
their respective applications 110a to 110f. An example of the updated distance map is
shown in TABLE 1. The generated distance map in each of the plurality of electronic
devices may be continuously or periodically updated. In some embodiments, the
distance map may also include a number of devices (represented as unique identifiers)
accessible (e.g. as shown in column “accessible_to” of TABLE 1) to each of the plurality
of electronic devices, as shown in the TABLE 1.
[0046] The electronic device 102a may be further configured to communicate a first
content to the end recipient device, such as the electronic device 102f, via the selected
proxy nodes, such as the electronic devices 102b and 102d. The first content may be
communicated by a shortest communication path (E0001 E0002 E0004 E0006)
based on the intelligent selection of the proxy nodes based on the updated distance
map. An identifier metadata may be generated based on the selection of the proxy
nodes. The identifier metadata may include the unique identifiers of the electronic
devices selected as the proxy nodes and the unique identifier of the end recipient
24
device (such as the electronic device 102f) in a sequence (E0001 E0002 E0004
E0006).
[0047] In accordance with an embodiment, the CPU 202 of the electronic device
102b may be configured to receive the first content from the electronic device 102a
using a first offline wireless network feature, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The first
content may be received via the one or more transceivers 212. The first content may be
received without any manual intervention by the user 108b of the electronic device
102b. The received content may be temporarily stored in the reception buffers 208 of
the memory 204. The data present in the reception buffers 208 may be in encrypted
form and inaccessible by the electronic device 102b. The received first content may also
include the identifier metadata. Based on the analysis of the identifier metadata, the
CPU 202 may be configured to set the electronic device 102b as a proxy node, by use
of the application 110b. The application 110b installed in the first electronic device acts
as the actual proxy node to forward the received first content to next electronic device.
As the unique identifier of the end recipient device, such as electronic device 102f, is
beyond the offline wireless communication range of both the electronic devices 102a
and 102b, the electronic device 102b may be configured to further communicate the
received first content to another proxy node. The CPU 202 of the electronic device 102b
may be configured to detect the electronic device 102d to which the first content is to be
further communicated. Based on the distance map, the electronic device 102b may be
configured to determine that the electronic device 102d may act as another proxy node
based on a presence of the unique identifier of the end recipient device (such as the
electronic device 102f) in the electronic device 102d.
25
[0048] In accordance with an embodiment, the CPU 202 of the electronic device
102b may be configured to detect a plurality of offline wireless network features
available in the electronic device 102d. The CPU 202 may be configured to select a
second offline wireless network feature from the detected plurality of offline wireless
network features to communicate the first content to the electronic device 102d. The
selection of the second offline wireless network feature may be done based on a speed
parameter associated with each of the detected plurality of offline wireless network
features and the content-type of the first content.
[0049] In accordance with an embodiment, the CPU 202 of the electronic device
102b may be configured to encapsulate data packets of a first network-type inside a
second network-type that is used for communication of the first content, by use of the
application 110b. The first network-type may correspond to the first offline wireless
network feature. The second network-type may correspond to the selected second
offline wireless network feature. The CPU 202 may be configured to further
communicate the first content received from the electronic device 102a to the electronic
device 102d. The electronic device 102d in turn may further communicate the received
first content to the end recipient device (such as the electronic device 102f) using a third
offline wireless network feature, such as Wi-Fi direct.
[0050] In certain scenarios, certain offline network feature, such as Wi-Fi, may be
disabled in the electronic device 102d. In such scenarios, the CPU 202 of the electronic
device 102b may be configured to first establish communication with the electronic
device 102d using an online wireless network. The communication with the electronic
device 102d may be established using the online wireless network based on a failure
26
status of the detection of the electronic device 102d for the offline network feature, such
as Wi-Fi network. For example, the failure status may occur for unregistered devices i.e.
the devices not yet a part of an offline data communication service or when registered
proxy nodes supporting the offline data communication are not switched on for certain
offline network features, for example, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The electronic device 102b
may be configured to turn on one of the plurality of offline wireless network features
(such as Wi-Fi network) available in the electronic device 102d, via the online wireless
network, and then communicate the first content via the enabled offline wireless network
feature. In other words, even if some intermediate proxy nodes supporting the offline
data communication are not switched on for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, the SN application, such
as the application 110b, can reach out to these proxy nodes from Internet and enable
Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and then can start offline network communications.
[0051] FIG. 3B illustrates a second exemplary scenario for implementation of the
disclosed system and method for data communication by virtual network boosting using
proxy nodes in offline wireless networks, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. With reference to FIG. 3B, there is shown an exemplary scenario 300B. The
exemplary scenario 300B shows a Wi-Fi data packet 302 and a Bluetooth data packet
308. The Wi-Fi data packet 302 may include a header 304 and a payload 306. The
Bluetooth data packet 308 may include a header 310 and a payload 312.
[0052] The second exemplary scenario is described in conjunction with elements
from FIGs. 1 and 2. The CPU 202 of the electronic device 102b may be configured to
receive a first content from the electronic device 102a using a first offline wireless
network feature, such as Wi-Fi. The first content, for example, may be received as the
27
Wi-Fi data packet 302. The CPU 202 of the electronic device 102b may be configured to
detect the electronic device 102c to which the first content is to be communicated in an
offline wireless network. The electronic device 102c may be located at a distance that is
beyond an offline wireless communication range, such as maximum Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
range as per their standard specifications, from the electronic device 102a. The CPU
202 of the electronic device 102b by use of the application 110b, may detect that a
Bluetooth feature (or capability) is available in the electronic device 102c. In this case,
data packets of a first network-type, such as the Wi-Fi data packet 302, may need to be
encapsulated inside a second network-type, such as Bluetooth, used for communication
of the first content. In certain scenarios, payload may be different based on a particular
network standard. For example, Bluetooth data packet 308 may not able to encapsulate
the complete Wi-Fi data packet 302 because the payload 312 of the Bluetooth data
packet 308 can handle less payload than that of Wi-Fi. In this case, the CPU 202 may
be configured to split the data packets of Wi-Fi to fit according to the Bluetooth standard
payload by use of the application 110b. For example, the CPU 202 may be configured
to split the payload 306 of the Wi-Fi data packet 302 to be accommodated as payloads
318 and 320 in a plurality of Bluetooth data packets 314A and 314B, as shown, for
encapsulation. The plurality of Bluetooth data packets 314A and 314B may include
headers 316A and 316B compatible for Bluetooth network standard type of
communication. Thereafter, plurality of Bluetooth data packets 314A and 314B may
then be communicated by the electronic device 102b (which acts as a proxy node by
use of the application 110b) to the electronic device 102c. Thus, the application 110b of
the electronic device 102b acts as a proxy or intermediate node to facilitate
28
communication of the first content from the electronic device 102a (initially
communicated as the Wi-Fi data packet 302) to the electronic device 102c (same first
content received as plurality of Bluetooth data packets 314A and 314B after split and
encapsulation).
[0053] FIGs. 4A and 4B, collectively, depict a flow chart 400 that illustrate a method
for offline data communication, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
FIGs. 4A and 4B are described in conjunction with FIGs. 1, 2, and 3. As shown in FIG.
4A, the method of the flow chart 400 may be implemented in a first electronic device
(such as the electronic device 102b). The flow chart 400 starts at 402 and proceeds to
404.
[0054] At 404, the first electronic device (such as the electronic device 102b) may
generate a unique identifier, by use of the applications 110b. Similar to the first
electronic device, the second electronic device (such as the electronic device 102a) and
the third electronic device (such as the electronic device 102c) may also generate a
unique identifier, by use of the applications 110a and 110c. The CPU 202 may be
configured to generate the unique identifier, by use of the applications 110b.
[0055] At 406, unique identifiers of the second electronic device and the third
electronic device may be received by the first electronic device (such as the electronic
device 102b), by use of the application 110b. The CPU 202 may be configured to
receive the unique identifiers of the second electronic device (such as the electronic
device 102a) and the third electronic device (such as the electronic device 102c) by use
of the application 110b. The unique identifiers may be received via the one or more
transceivers 212. Each of the plurality of electronic devices may broadcast their unique
29
identifiers in one or more offline wireless networks. In accordance with an embodiment,
the electronic devices which are within an offline wireless communication range with
each other share their unique identifiers with each other in the one or more offline
wireless networks. For example, with reference to the FIG. 1, the second electronic
device (such as the electronic device 102a) may receive the unique identifier of the first
electronic device (such as the electronic device 102b) that is within the offline wireless
communication range (for example, 40 meters). The second electronic device (such as
the electronic device 102a) may not receive the unique identifier of the third electronic
device (such as the electronic device 102c) that is located at a distance (for example,
80 meters), which is beyond the offline wireless communication range of the second
electronic device (such as the electronic device 102a). Similarly, the third electronic
device may be configured to receive the unique identifier of the first electronic device
(such as the electronic device 102b). Similarly, as both the third electronic device and
the second electronic device are within the offline wireless communication range of the
first electronic device, the CPU 202 may be configured to receive both the unique
identifiers of the second electronic device and the third electronic device, by use of the
application 110b. One application, such as the application 110b may concurrently scan
for a plurality of nearby devices using different offline wireless networks at the same
time. For example, both the Bluetooth enabled and the Wi-Fi enabled devices may be
scanned concurrently by the application 110b.
[0056] At 408, a first content may be received by the first electronic device (such as
the electronic device 102b) from the second electronic` device (such as the electronic
device 102a) using a first offline wireless network feature, such as Bluetooth. The CPU
30
202 may be configured to receive the first content from the second electronic` device,
via the one or more transceivers 212. The received data packets of the first content may
be temporarily stored in the reception buffers 208 in encrypted form.
[0057] At 410, the third electronic device (such as the electronic device 102c) to
which the first content is to be communicated in an offline wireless network, may be
detected by the first electronic device (such as the electronic device 102b). The CPU
202 may be configured to detect the third electronic device as the device to which the
first content is to be communicated based on an analysis of the received first content.
The received first content may also include an appended metadata, which comprise a
unique identifier of an end recipient device (i.e. the third electronic device) to which the
first content is to be communicated.
[0058] At 412, the first electronic device (such as the electronic device 102b) may be
set as a proxy node by use of the application 110b in the offline wireless network. As
the memory 204 of the first electronic device (such as the electronic device 102b)
includes the unique identifier of the end recipient device, the CPU 202 may be
configured to register and set itself as a proxy node, by use of the application 110b in
the offline wireless network.
[0059] At 414, a content-type of the first content received from the second electronic
device, may be determined. The CPU 202 may be configured to determine the contenttype
of the first content received from the second electronic device. The content-type
may refer to audio, video, image, web content, or other audio-visual content, or other
types of data.
31
[0060] At 416, a plurality of offline wireless network features available in the third
electronic device, may be detected by the first electronic device (such as the electronic
device 102b). The CPU 202 may be configured to detect the plurality of offline wireless
network features available in the third electronic device (such as the electronic device
102c), by use of the application 110b. For example, the third electronic device may have
both Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC enabled network features.
[0061] At 418, a second offline wireless network feature from the detected plurality of
offline wireless network features may be selected to communicate the first content to
the third electronic device. The selection of the second offline wireless network feature
may be done based on a speed parameter associated with each of the detected
plurality of offline wireless network features and the determined content-type of the first
content. The CPU 202 may be configured to select the second offline wireless network
feature, by use of the application 110b. The CPU 202 may determine that the second
offline wireless network feature, for example, Wi-Fi network feature, may be suitable
and the fastest network feature based on the determined content-type and device
capabilities.
[0062] In certain scenarios, certain offline network feature, such as the fastest
network feature, may be disabled in the third electronic device (such as the electronic
device 102c). In such scenarios, the CPU 202 of the electronic device 102b may be
configured to first establish communication with the third electronic device (such as the
electronic device 102c) using an online wireless network. The communication with the
third electronic device (such as the electronic device 102c) may be established using
the online wireless network based on a failure status of the detection of the third
32
electronic device (such as the electronic device 102c) for the fastest or other offline
network feature, such as Wi-Fi network. For example, the failure status may occur for
unregistered devices i.e. the devices not yet a part of an offline data communication
service or when registered proxy nodes supporting the offline data communication are
not switched on for certain offline network features, for example, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
The CPU 202 of the electronic device 102b may be configured to turn on one of the
plurality of offline wireless network features (such as Wi-Fi network) available in the
third electronic device (such as the electronic device 102c), via the online wireless
network, and then communicate the first content via the enabled offline wireless network
feature. In other words, even if some intermediate proxy nodes or the end recipient
device supporting the offline data communication are not switched on for Bluetooth or
Wi-Fi, the SN application, such as the application 110b, can reach out to these proxy
nodes from Internet and enable Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and then can start offline network
communications.
[0063] At 420, data packets of a first network-type may be encapsulated inside a
second network-type used for communication of the first content, by use of the
application 110b. The CPU 202 may be configured to encapsulate the data packets of
the first network-type, for example Bluetooth-based data packets, inside a second
network-type, for example, Wi-Fi data packets. The first network-type may correspond
to the first offline wireless network feature, such as Bluetooth. The second network-type
corresponds to the selected second offline wireless network feature used for further
communication of the first content.
33
[0064] At 422, the first content received from the second electronic device may be
communicated to the third electronic device using the selected second offline wireless
network feature. The CPU 202 may be configured to communicate the first content to
the third electronic device (such as the electronic device 102c). Thus, using the proxy
node, the two electronic devices 102a and 102c, are able to communicate data even
though the two electronic devices 102a and 102c are not in the offline wireless network
range with each other. This may be referred to as a virtual network boosting, where the
offline communication range or the coverage area is expanded, for example, doubled,
without any additional hardware requirement, such as relay boosters, signal boosters,
and the like, or without actual boosting of signals. Further, with one intermediate device,
such as the first electronic device, between two end to end devices, the existing offline
network technologies capacity can be doubled with respect to their current standards.
The control may pass to end 424.
[0065] FIG. 5 is a flow chart 500 that illustrate a method for offline data
communication, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is described
in conjunction with elements from the FIGs. 1, 2, and 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the method
of the flow chart 500 may be implemented in the second electronic device (such as the
electronic device 102a). The flow chart 500 starts at 502 and proceeds to 504.
[0066] At 504, a unique identifier may be generated by the electronic device 102a,
by use of the application 110a. Similar to the electronic device 102a, each of the other
electronic devices, such as the electronic devices 102b and 102c may also generate a
corresponding unique identifier, by use of the applications 110b and 110c.
34
[0067] At 506, a plurality of offline wireless network-features enabled devices may be
scanned by the electronic device 102a, by use of the application 110a. For example,
nearby devices with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, near field communication (NFC) enabled devices,
may be concurrently searched by the electronic device 102a, by use of the application
110a. Alternatively stated, the application 110a allows concurrent search for the plurality
of offline wireless network-features, and individual offline wireless network-feature may
need not to be searched manually one by one. Other electronic devices, such as the
electronic devices 102b to 102f, may also scan plurality of offline wireless networkfeatures
enabled devices in their vicinity by use of their respective applications 110b to
110f.
[0068] At 508, a distance map may be generated by the electronic device 102a, by
use of the application 110a. The distance map may include a distance of the electronic
device 102a with respect to other nearby electronic devices, such as the electronic
device 102b, within the offline communication range of the electronic device 102a. The
distance may be computed based on a signal strength detected from other nearby
electronic devices at the time of the scan. Similarly, distance maps may be generated
by each of the plurality of electronic devices, such as the electronic devices 102b to
102f. In accordance with an embodiment, each of the plurality of electronic devices,
such as the electronic devices 102a to 102f, may share and sync their distance map
with other nearby electronic devices within their offline communication range, by use of
their respective applications 110a to 110f. Thus, the generated distance map in each of
the plurality of electronic devices may be continuously or periodically updated. In some
35
embodiments, the distance map may also include a number of devices (represented as
unique identifiers) accessible to each of the plurality of electronic devices.
[0069] At 510, one or more proxy nodes may be selected based on the generated
distance map. The electronic device 102a may be configured to select one or more
proxy nodes to communicate a first content to an end recipient device, such as the
electronic device 102c (FIG. 1) or the electronic device 102f (FIG. 3). An example of a
selection of a single proxy node is shown and described in FIG. 1, where the electronic
device 102a, based on the updated distance map, detects that the end recipient device,
such as the electronic device 102c, is accessible to the electronic device 102b and also
the electronic device 102a. Based on the updated distance map, the electronic device
102a may be configured to compute that an end-to end distance of a communication
path from the electronic device 102a to the electronic device 102c is 80 meters, and that
there is no other electronic device(s) that may be used as a proxy node with an end-to
end distance less than the computed end-to end distance (i.e. 80 meters in this case).
Thus, the electronic device 102a may be configured to identify and select the electronic
device 102b as a proxy node to communicate the first content by a shortest
communication path. An example of a selection of a plurality of proxy nodes is shown
and described in FIG. 3, where the electronic device 102a, based on the updated
distance map, detects that the end recipient device, such as the electronic device 102f,
is accessible to two electronic devices 102d and 102e, as shown in TABLE 1. Further,
based on the updated distance map, the electronic device 102a may be further
configured to compute that a shortest end-to end distance of a first communication path
(shown by dashed arrow marks in FIG. 3) from the electronic device 102a to the
36
electronic device 102f is 90 meters, by use of two proxy nodes (such as the electronic
devices 102b and 102d). Thus, the electronic device 102a may be configured to identify
and select the electronic devices 102b and 102d as the proxy nodes to communicate
the first content by the shortest communication path.
[0070] At 512, the first content may be communicated by the electronic device 102a
to the end recipient device, such as the electronic device 102c (FIG. 1) or the electronic
device 102f (FIG. 3), using the selected one or more proxy nodes. The electronic device
102a and the selected one or more proxy nodes may utilize a offline wireless network
feature, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or the like, in each device to device communication of
the first content using the selected one or more proxy nodes to deliver the first content
to the end recipient device. The offline wireless network feature used in each device to
device communication may be same as the previous device to device communication or
different. The selected one or more proxy nodes, for example, the electronic devices
102b and 102d, may be configured to select a suitable and a fastest available offline
wireless network feature to further communicate the first content. Thus, the selection of
an offline wireless network feature by a proxy node may be done based on a speed
parameter associated with available offline wireless network features and a content-type
of the first content. The control may pass to end 514.
[0071] In accordance with an exemplary aspect of the invention, a system for offline
data communication by virtual network boosting using proxy nodes in offline wireless
networks, is disclosed. The system may include a first electronic device (such as the
electronic device 102b (FIG. 1), which may comprise the CPU 202 (FIG. 2). The CPU
202 may be configured to receive a first content from a second electronic device (such
37
as the electronic device 102a) using a first offline wireless network feature. The CPU
202 may be further configured to detect a third electronic device (such as the electronic
device 102c) to which the first content is to be communicated in an offline wireless
network. The third electronic device may be located at a distance that is beyond an
offline wireless communication range from the second electronic device. The CPU 202
may be further configured to detect a plurality of offline wireless network features
available in the third electronic device. The CPU 202 may be further configured to select
a second offline wireless network feature from the detected plurality of offline wireless
network features to communicate the first content to the third electronic device. The
second offline wireless network feature may be selected based on a speed parameter
associated with each of the detected plurality of offline wireless network features and a
content-type of the first content. The CPU 202 may be further configured to
communicate the first content received from the second electronic device to the third
electronic device using the selected second offline wireless network feature.
[0072] In accordance with an exemplary aspect, various embodiments of the
invention may provide another non-transitory computer readable medium and/or storage
medium, having stored thereon, a set of instructions executable by a machine and/or a
computer for offline data communication using proxy nodes in offline wireless networks.
The set of instructions may cause the machine and/or computer (such as the electronic
device 102b (FIG. 1)) to execute operations that comprise receipt of a first content from
a second electronic device (such as the electronic device 102a) using a first offline
wireless network feature. A third electronic device (such as the electronic device 102c)
to which the first content is to be communicated in an offline wireless network, may be
38
detected. The third electronic device may be located at a distance that is beyond an
offline wireless communication range from the second electronic device. A plurality of
offline wireless network features available in the third electronic device, may be
detected. A second offline wireless network feature from the detected plurality of offline
wireless network features, may be selected to communicate the first content to the third
electronic device. The second offline wireless network feature may be selected based
on a speed parameter associated with each of the detected plurality of offline wireless
network features and a content-type of the first content. The first content received from
the second electronic device may be communicated to the third electronic device using
the selected second offline wireless network feature.
[0073] The present invention may be realized in hardware, or a combination of
hardware and software. The present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion,
in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion, where different elements
may be spread across several interconnected computer systems. A computer system or
other apparatus adapted to carry out the methods described herein may be suited. A
combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with
a computer program that, when loaded and executed, may control the computer system
such that it carries out the methods described herein. The present invention may be
realized in hardware that comprises a portion of an integrated circuit that also performs
other functions.
[0074] The present invention may also be embedded in a computer program
product, which comprises all the features that enable the implementation of the methods
described herein, and which, when loaded in a computer system, is able to carry out
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these methods. Computer program, in the present context, means any expression, in
any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system with
an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly, or
after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation;
b) reproduction in a different material form.
[0075] While the present invention has been described with reference to certain
embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may
be made and equivalents may be substituted without deviation from the scope of the
present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without deviation from its
scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular
embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention will include all embodiments
falling within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:
1. A data communication system, comprising:
a first electronic device (102b) that includes a central processing unit
(CPU), wherein said CPU (202) is configured to:
receive a first content from a second electronic device using a first offline
wireless network feature;
detect a third electronic device (102c) to which said first content is to be
communicated in an offline wireless network, wherein said third electronic device
is located at a distance that is beyond an offline wireless communication range
from said second electronic device (102a);
detect a plurality of offline wireless network features available in said third
electronic device;
select a second offline wireless network feature from said detected
plurality of offline wireless network features to communicate said first content to
said third electronic device (102c), wherein said second offline wireless network
feature is selected based on a speed parameter associated with each of said
detected plurality of offline wireless network features and a content-type of said
first content; and
communicate said first content received from said second electronic
device to said third electronic device using said selected second offline wireless
network feature.
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2. The data communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said CPU (202)
is configured to determine said content-type of said first content received from
said second electronic device (102a).
3. The data communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said CPU (202)
is configured to encapsulate data packets of a first network-type inside a second
network-type used for communication of said first content, wherein said first
network-type corresponds to said first offline wireless network feature and said
second network-type corresponds to said selected second offline wireless
network feature.
4. The data communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said CPU (202)
is configured to register said first electronic device (102b) as a proxy node in said
offline wireless network.
5. The data communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said CPU (202)
is configured to establish communication with said third electronic device (102c)
using an online wireless network based on a failure status of said detection of
said third electronic device (102c) in said offline wireless network.
6. The data communication system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said CPU (202)
is configured to turn on one of said plurality of offline wireless network features
available with said third electronic device (102c) via said online wireless network
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for said communication of said first content via said one of said plurality of offline
wireless network features.
7. The data communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first offline
wireless network feature is different from said second offline wireless network
feature.
8. The data communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first offline
wireless network feature is same as said second offline wireless network feature.
9. The data communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said CPU (202)
is further configured to set said first electronic device (102b) as a proxy node in
said offline wireless network, by use of an application provided in said first
electronic device, for a two-way data exchange between said second electronic
device (102a) and said third electronic device (102c), based on a presence of
said third electronic device beyond said offline wireless communication range
from said second electronic device.
10. The data communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said CPU (202)
is configured to generate an unique identifier by use of an application provided in
said first electronic device (102b).
11. A method for offline data communication, comprising the steps:
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in a first electronic device (102b) that includes a central processing unit
(CPU):
receiving, by said CPU (202), a first content from a second
electronic device (102a) using a first offline wireless network feature;
detecting, by said CPU, a third electronic device (102c) to which
said first content is to be communicated in an offline wireless network,
wherein said third electronic device (102c) is located at a distance that is
beyond an offline wireless communication range from said second
electronic device (102a);
detecting, by said CPU, a plurality of offline wireless network
features available in said third electronic device (102c);
selecting, by said CPU, a second offline wireless network feature
from said detected plurality of offline wireless network features to
communicate said first content to said third electronic device, wherein said
second offline wireless network feature is selected based on a speed
parameter associated with each of said detected plurality of offline
wireless network features and a content-type of said first content; and
communicating, by said CPU, said first content received from said
second electronic device to said third electronic device using said selected
second offline wireless network feature.
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12. The method as claimed in claim 11, comprising determining, by said CPU (202),
said content-type of said first content received from said second electronic device
(102a).
13. The method as claimed in claim 11, comprising encapsulating, by said CPU
(202), data packets of a first network-type inside a second network-type used for
communication of said first content, wherein said first network-type corresponds
to said first offline wireless network feature and said second network-type
corresponds to said selected second offline wireless network feature.
14. The method as claimed in claim 11, comprising registering, by said CPU (202),
said first electronic device (102b) as a proxy node in said offline wireless
network.
15. The method as claimed in claim 11, comprising establishing, by said CPU (202),
a communication with said third electronic device (102c) using an online wireless
network based on a failure status of said detection of said third electronic device
in said offline wireless network.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15, comprising turning on, by said CPU (202),
one of said plurality of offline wireless network features available with said third
electronic device (102c) via said online wireless network for said communication
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of said first content via said one of said plurality of offline wireless network
features.
17. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first offline wireless network
feature is different from said second offline wireless network feature.
18. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first offline wireless network
feature is same as said second offline wireless network feature.
19. The method as claimed in claim 11, comprising setting, by said CPU (202), said
first electronic device (102b) as a proxy node in said offline wireless network, by
use of an application provided in said first electronic device, for a two-way data
exchange between said second electronic device (102a) and said third electronic
device (102c), based on a presence of said third electronic device beyond said
offline wireless communication range from said second electronic device.
20. The method as claimed in claim 11, comprising generating, by said CPU (202),
an unique identifier by use of an application provided in said first electronic
device (102b).