U.S. patent application number 09/933872 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-28 for method for economically sub-optimizing interactions in data communications network environments, and a device according to the method.
This patent application is currently assigned to NET REALITY. Invention is credited to Bielous, Yaron, Pongranz, Shlomi, Raab, Ilan, Sidi, Eli, Somech, Ovad.
Application Number | 20020038330 09/933872 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22862529 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020038330 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sidi, Eli ; et al. |
March 28, 2002 |
Method for economically sub-optimizing interactions in data
communications network environments, and a device according to the
method
Abstract
A method for sub-optimizing interactions in data communications
network environments. The method includes the steps of deeming
certain activities which involve interactions between a user and a
data communication system to be less important than other
activities, and introducing a degradation in response time for the
interactions belonging to the certain activities deemed less
important compared to a response time for the interactions
belonging to the other activities.
Inventors: |
Sidi, Eli; (Markeret Batya,
IL) ; Pongranz, Shlomi; (Holon, IL) ; Somech,
Ovad; (Rishon Lezion, IL) ; Raab, Ilan; (Rosh
Haain, IL) ; Bielous, Yaron; (Tel Aviv, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROWDY AND NEIMARK, P.L.L.C.
624 Ninth Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20001
US
|
Assignee: |
NET REALITY
Tikva
IL
|
Family ID: |
22862529 |
Appl. No.: |
09/933872 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09933872 |
Aug 22, 2001 |
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09229746 |
Jan 14, 1999 |
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6282562 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
718/105 ;
709/224; 709/234 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 47/32 20130101;
G06Q 10/0631 20130101; H04L 47/22 20130101; H04L 69/329 20130101;
H04L 67/62 20220501 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/105 ;
709/234; 709/224 |
International
Class: |
G06F 009/00; G06F
015/16; G06F 015/173 |
Claims
1. A method for economically sub-optimizing interactions in data
communications network environments, the method comprising the
steps of: a) aggregating a statistical profile of data
communications, substantially from a vantage of a predetermined
node, wherein said node is located between firstly an isolatable
sub-network of the network environment having at least one
interactive participant and secondly a preponderance of the
remaining network environment; b) electing at least one data
communications traffic load threshold from the statistical profile
according to a substantially economic consideration; c)
substantially at the node, assigning a parametric data transfer
delay interval to each data communication exceeding the threshold;
d) effecting the delay by storing each assigned data communication
for the interval before transferring said data communication
substantially across the node, wherein the sub-network includes a
participant of the at least one interactive participant, said
participant being a sender or an intended receiver of said data
communication.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein aggregating a
statistical profile of data communications includes traffic load
metrics with respect to a variable selected from the list: time of
day, day of week, day of month, day of year, sender, categorization
of sender, intended receiver, categorization of intended receiver,
size of data communications, media content category of data
communications, transactional category of data communications, or
rate structure effecting data communications.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein a computer is the
participant of the at least one interactive participant.
4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the computer is
substantially operating according to interactive human control.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the preponderance of the
remaining network environment includes a wide area network or a
portion thereof.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein a substantially economic
consideration relates to either an aspect of a monetary payment
rate structure effecting data communications or to an aspect of a
monetary payment rate structure effecting time of the participant
of the at least one interactive participants.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the assigning of a
parametric data transfer delay interval is determined according to
an econometric model.
8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the assigning of a
parametric data transfer delay interval is determined according to
a feedback model.
9. A device for effecting delay in a data communications network
environment, wherein the device has two sides to be connected in
the environment substantially as a non bypassable interconnection
between on a first side at least one interactive participant of an
isolatable sub-network of the environment and on a second side a
preponderance of the remaining environment, the device comprising:
(a) a receiving port for accepting data communications on the first
side of the two sides; (b) a transfer delay interval assigning
module connected to the receiving port, said assigning module
associating a delay interval metric to each data communication that
is exceeding a predetermined traffic load threshold metric; (c) a
data communications storage module connected to the assigning
module, wherein each data communication is stored therein for the
associated delay interval; and (d) a transmitting port connected to
the storage module, said transmitting port being for transmitting
data communications on the second side of the two sides.
10. The device according to claim 9 wherein an aggregating module
is connected to the assigning module or to the storage module, and
said aggregating module aggregates a statistical profile of data
communications.
11. The device according to claim I0 wherein an electing module is
connected to the aggregating module on one side and to the
assigning module on the other side, the electing module electing at
least one data communications traffic load threshold from the
profile of the aggregating module according to a substantially
economic consideration.
12. The device according to claims 11 wherein, at predetermined
times or according to predetermined conditions, an updating is
performed on the profile of the aggregating module for access by
the electing module.
13. The device according to claim 10 wherein a simulation module is
associated with the electing module or with characterizations of an
updated profile prior to the profiles access by the electing
module, said simulation module substantially comparing the delay
metric in use with the effects of applying at least one delay
metric according to at least one scenario of economic
considerations, and thereinafter effecting a modification of the
metric used or of the economic consideration used by the
aggregating module whenever the comparing of a simulated metric or
simulated scenario substantially improves on the metric or scenario
used by the aggregating module.
14. The device according to claim 12 wherein a simulation module is
associated with the electing module or with characterizations of an
updated profile prior to the profiles access by the electing
module, said simulation module substantially comparing the delay
metric in use with the effects of applying at least one delay
metric according to at least one scenario of economic
considerations, and thereinafter effecting a modification of the
metric used or of the economic consideration used by the
aggregating module whenever the comparing of a simulated metric or
simulated scenario substantially improves on the metric or scenario
used by the aggregating module.
15. The device according to any of claim 9 wherein at least one
service module is associated with the assigning module or with the
storage module, the service module including at least one data
communications task selected from the list: traffic monitoring,
traffic shaping, encryption, decryption, security filtering,
traffic logging, traffic aggregation, traffic fragmentation, or
traffic route modification.
16. The device according to claim 9 wherein orientation of the
device is reversed such that the receiving port is for receiving on
the second side of the two sides and the transmitting port is for
transmitting to the first side of the two sides.
17. The device according to claim 16 wherein an aggregating module
is connected to the assigning module or to the storage module, and
said aggregating module aggregates a statistical profile of data
communications.
18. The device according to claim 17 wherein an electing module is
connected to the aggregating module on one side and to the
assigning module on the other side, the electing module electing at
least one data communications traffic load threshold from the
profile of the aggregating module according to a substantially
economic consideration.
19. The device according to claims 18 wherein, at predetermined
times or according to predetermined conditions, an updating is
performed on the profile of the aggregating module for access by
the electing module.
20. The device according to claim 18 wherein a simulation module is
associated with the electing module or with characterizations of an
updated profile prior to the profiles access by the electing
module, said simulation module substantially comparing the delay
metric in use with the effects of applying at least one delay
metric according to at least one scenario of economic
considerations, and thereinafter effecting a modification of the
metric used or of the economic consideration used by the
aggregating module whenever the comparing of a simulated metric or
simulated scenario substantially improves on the metric or scenario
used by the aggregating module.
21. The device according to claim 19 wherein a simulation module is
associated with the electing module or with characterizations of an
updated profile prior to the profiles access by the electing
module, said simulation module substantially comparing the delay
metric in use with the effects of applying at least one delay
metric according to at least one scenario of economic
considerations, and thereinafter effecting a modification of the
metric used or of the economic consideration used by the
aggregating module whenever the comparing of a simulated metric or
simulated scenario substantially improves on the metric or scenario
used by the aggregating module.
22. The device according to any of claim 16 wherein at least one
service module is associated with the assigning module or with the
storage module, the service module including at least one data
communications task selected from the list: traffic monitoring,
traffic shaping, encryption, decryption, security filtering,
traffic logging, traffic aggregation, traffic fragmentation, or
traffic route modification.
23. A device for effecting delay in a data communications network
environment, wherein the device has two sides to be connected in
the environment substantially as a non bypassable interconnection
between on one side at least one interactive participant of an
isolatable sub-network of the environment and on the other side a
preponderance of the remaining environment, the device comprising:
(a) a receiving port for accepting data communications on either
side of the two sides, and the receiving port designates each data
communication with the side appropriate for its eventual
transmission; (b) a transfer delay interval assigning module
connected to the receiving port, said assigning module associating
a delay interval metric to each data communication that is
exceeding a predetermined traffic load threshold metric; (c) a data
communications storage module connected to the assigning module,
wherein each data communication is stored therein for the
associated delay interval; and (d) a transmitting port connected to
the storage module, said transmitting port being for transmitting
each data communications on the appropriate side as designated by
the receiving port.
24. The device according to claim 23 wherein an aggregating module
is connected to the assigning module or to the storage module, and
said aggregating module aggregates a statistical profile of data
communications.
25. The device according to claim 24 wherein an electing module is
connected to the aggregating module on one side and to the
assigning module on the other side, the electing module electing at
least one data communications traffic load threshold from the
profile of the aggregating module according to a substantially
economic consideration.
26. The device according to claims 25 wherein, at predetermined
times or according to predetermined conditions, an updating is
performed on the profile of the aggregating module for access by
the electing module.
27. The device according to claim 25 wherein a simulation module is
associated with the electing module or with characterizations of an
updated profile prior to the profiles access by the electing
module, said simulation module substantially comparing the delay
metric in use with the effects of applying at least one delay
metric according to at least one scenario of economic
considerations, and thereinafter effecting a modification of the
metric used or of the economic consideration used by the
aggregating module whenever the comparing of a simulated metric or
simulated scenario substantially improves on the metric or scenario
used by the aggregating module.
28. The device according to claim 26 wherein a simulation module is
associated with the electing module or with characterizations of an
updated profile prior to the profiles access by the electing
module, said simulation module substantially comparing the delay
metric in use with the effects of applying at least one delay
metric according to at least one scenario of economic
considerations, and thereinafter effecting a modification of the
metric used or of the economic consideration used by the
aggregating module whenever the comparing of a simulated metric or
simulated scenario substantially improves on the metric or scenario
used by the aggregating module.
29. The device according to any of claim 23 wherein at least one
service module is associated with the assigning module or with the
storage module, the service module including at least one data
communications task selected from the list: traffic monitoring,
traffic shaping, encryption, decryption, security filtering,
traffic logging, traffic aggregation, traffic fragmentation, or
traffic route modification.
30. A device for effecting delay in a data communications network
environment, wherein the device has more than two sides, to wit: an
aggregation of at least one of the more that two sides for
connecting to at least one interactive participant of an isolatable
sub-network of the environment and the remaining at least one side
of the more than two sides for connecting to a preponderance of the
remaining environment, the device comprising: (a) a receiving port
for accepting data communications on any one of the more than two
sides and the receiving port designates each data communication
with at least one side of the other sides as appropriate for its
eventual transmission, (b) a transfer delay interval assigning
module connected to the receiving port, said assigning module
associating a delay interval metric to each data communication that
is exceeding a predetermined traffic load threshold metric; (c) a
data communications storage module connected to the assigning
module, wherein each data communication is stored therein for the
associated delay interval; and (d) a transmitting port connected to
the storage module, said transmitting port being for transmitting
each data communications on each side so designated by the
receiving port.
31. The device according to claim 30 wherein an aggregating module
is connected to the assigning module or to the storage module, and
said aggregating module aggregates a statistical profile of data
communications.
32. The device according to claim 31 wherein an electing module is
connected to the aggregating module on one side and to the
assigning module on the other side, the electing module electing at
least one data communications traffic load threshold from the
profile of the aggregating module according to a substantially
economic consideration.
33. The device according to claims 32 wherein, at predetermined
times or according to predetermined conditions, an updating is
performed on the profile of the aggregating module for access by
the electing module.
34. The device according to claim 32 wherein a simulation module is
associated with the electing module or with characterizations of an
updated profile prior to the profiles access by the electing
module, said simulation module substantially comparing the delay
metric in use with the effects of applying at least one delay
metric according to at least one scenario of economic
considerations, and thereinafter effecting a modification of the
metric used or of the economic consideration used by the
aggregating module whenever the comparing of a simulated metric or
simulated scenario substantially improves on the metric or scenario
used by the aggregating module.
35. The device according to claim 33 wherein a simulation module is
associated with the electing module or with characterizations of an
updated profile prior to the profiles access by the electing
module, said simulation module substantially comparing the delay
metric in use with the effects of applying at least one delay
metric according to at least one scenario of economic
considerations, and thereinafter effecting a modification of the
metric used or of the economic consideration used by the
aggregating module whenever the comparing of a simulated metric or
simulated scenario substantially improves on the metric or scenario
used by the aggregating module.
36. The device according to any of claim 30 wherein at least one
service module is associated with the assigning module or with the
storage module, the service module including at least one data
communications task selected from the list: traffic monitoring,
traffic shaping, encryption, decryption, security filtering,
traffic logging, traffic aggregation, traffic fragmentation, or
traffic route modification.
37. The device according to claim 30 wherein the isolatable
sub-network is substantially identical to a preponderance of the
remaining environment.
38. The device according to claim 37 wherein an aggregating module
is connected to the assigning module or to the storage module, and
said aggregating module aggregates a statistical profile of data
communications.
39. The device according to claim 38 wherein an electing module is
connected to the aggregating module on one side and to the
assigning module on the other side, the electing module electing at
least one data communications traffic load threshold from the
profile of the aggregating module according to a substantially
economic consideration.
40. The device according to claims 39 wherein, at predetermined
times or according to predetermined conditions, an updating is
performed on the profile of the aggregating module for access by
the electing module.
41. The device according to claim 39 wherein a simulation module is
associated with the electing module or with characterizations of an
updated profile prior to the profiles access by the electing
module, said simulation module substantially comparing the delay
metric in use with the effects of applying at least one delay
metric according to at least one scenario of economic
considerations, and thereinafter effecting a modification of the
metric used or of the economic consideration used by the
aggregating module whenever the comparing of a simulated metric or
simulated scenario substantially improves on the metric or scenario
used by the aggregating module.
42. The device according to claim 40 wherein a simulation module is
associated with the electing module or with characterizations of an
updated profile prior to the profiles access by the electing
module, said simulation module substantially comparing the delay
metric in use with the effects of applying at least one delay
metric according to at least one scenario of economic
considerations, and thereinafter effecting a modification of the
metric used or of the economic consideration used by the
aggregating module whenever the comparing of a simulated metric or
simulated scenario substantially improves on the metric or scenario
used by the aggregating module.
43. The device according to any of claim 37 wherein at least one
service module is associated with the assigning module or with the
storage module, the service module including at least one data
communications task selected from the list: traffic monitoring,
traffic shaping, encryption, decryption, security filtering,
traffic logging, traffic aggregation, traffic fragmentation, or
traffic route modification.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention generally relates to a method which effects
the way humans decide to interact with data communications in a
network environment. More specifically, this invention relates to
strategic modifications in traffic shaping, load balancing, or like
apparatus, which are associated with the managing of aspects or
characteristics of the transfer of data communications in a network
environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Strategic methodological considerations in the data
communications network environment are most commonly directed to
improving an aspect of the network's efficiency. The aspect may be
one of communications speed--to which substantial efforts are
directed in the simulations of modified interconnection topologies,
and likewise of modified routing protocols. Alternately, the aspect
may be one of communications security--to which substantial efforts
are directed to encryption, filtering out of potentially harmful
active executable program fragments (e.g. viruses), and restriction
of access (e.g. contents accessible by authorized personnel only,
or access restricted absolutely--such as pornography on the
Internet).
[0003] It is intrinsic for a proper understanding of data
communications to consider how the aforesaid aspects have developed
in such diverse technologies as telephony, distributed databases,
cable television, Internet, and the like. However, for the purposes
of brevity, the materials to be cited as characterizing the prior
art wilt be primarily restricted to those related to the Internet.
Those knowledgeable in the various data communications technologies
are well aware of the overwhelming theoretical similarities between
these diverse technologies (so called). However, even for those
knowledgeable in the theoretical similarities, seemingly diverse
nomenclatures have become a practical burden with the spawning of
numerous industry standards and off-the-shelf embodiments.
[0004] It should be recalled that data communications in the
network environment is propagated using packets of "information",
or some conceptual equivalent thereof. These packets undergo
various transformations in the course of propagation, and also
generally accumulate header information, which allows the packet's
information to be reassembled (or reseparated) at the end of the
propagation path. It is generally in the aggregation of a
statistical profile of these headers that network communications
engineers search for clues which suggest how an improved
sub-optimizing of response time and other metrics may be
achieved.
[0005] A general survey of relevant standards may be learned from
www.cmpcmm.com/cc/standards.html while may be learned from relevant
to the appreciation the limits of the relevant prior art may be
learned from
www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/prodict.software/ios112.../4cfrelay.html-
, from www.cern.ch/HSI/fcs/applic/rd11/Nov94/FCS_note_1 html and
from ftp.sunset.se/ftp/pub/Internet-documents/rfc/rfc1072.txt. In
addition other relevant aspects of existing methods considered for
use in this technological domain may be learned from
www.vtt.fi/tte/staff/ojp/workflo- w.html, from from
www.win.tue.nl/cs/pa/edis/sys/decision-wait/index.html.
[0006] It can be fairly stated that, with the major exception of
security considerations, the motivation of data communications
technology is principally directed to improving response time.
However there are other relevant considerations in data
communications technology, such as costs. Costs (in the present
context) relate to amortization of equipment, maintenance of
equipment, worker productivity, rate payment structures determining
interconnection for the transfer of data communications, and the
like.
[0007] Often, each of these costs is independently sub-optimized.
Amortization and maintenance are considered as for any other
equipment that becomes rapidly obsolescent. Productivity is thought
to be a mix of security restrictions and the maximizing of response
time. Rate payment structures are substantially directed to finding
cheaper service providers or to using computational tricks (e.g.
compression) in order to achieve higher utilization of the current
service provider(s).
[0008] There are also relevant psychological factor involved when
the one or more persons are parties to a data communications
transaction. For example, most people become frustrated with slow
response time (e.g. waiting for a dial tone, waiting for a database
query response, etc.) while some people become almost addicted to
fast response time (e.g. video-like arcade games).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In juxtaposition to the prior art, the method (and device)
of the present invention are directed to changing the way humans
interact with data communications technologies; and
circumstantially to effecting modifications in those automated
portions of data communications systems which are sensitive to
response time metrics. This changing is accomplished through the
introduction of selective increasing of delay in response time.
This intentional application of response time degradation serves to
pedagogically discourage human users of data communications systems
from economically disadvantageous interactions.
[0010] For example, consider a work environment where employees are
allowed to surf the Internet and where simultaneously customer
ordering and service are provided via the same connections to the
Internet. If the economic benefits (accruing from this work
environment by ordering and service) are deemed to be more
important than the surfing activity (and the surfing activity is
nevertheless deemed to be a permissible or even a necessary
activity), then the present invention introduces a degradation in
response time to the surfer during those times when customer
ordering and services are actually or potentially requiring access
to the Internet connections.
[0011] Another example relates to educating a class of employees
away from regular use of recreational data communications activity
(e.g. Internet surfing or private phone calls) by imposing a
stochastic increase in response time for these activities. For
example, consider the internal telephone system of a large private
concern (e.g. a geographically distributed corporation whose
offices are interconnected through the corporation's PBX or through
Wide Area Network packet telephone transfer interconnection
facilities).
[0012] At times when the packet transmission rate between offices
is actually or potentially approaching peak load capacity, the PBX
has three known basic options. Firstly, the PBX may fail to deliver
a dial tone to new requests for line services until the load has
diminished. Secondly, the PBX may apply to an external service
provider for temporary expensive supplemental interconnections.
Thirdly, the PBX may degrade all services provided (using packet
delay and packet loss) in order to provide an equitable level of
services to all applicants for line services.
[0013] According to the present invention (for this PBX-type
example), a telephone service priority metric is established for
each user. For example, the metric may weigh two factors: the
degree to which use of the inter-office telephone is part of the
users job function; and the rank of the user as an employee.
Together the weighing of these two factors will produce a metric
such that the central operator has priority over the president of
the company, who in turn has priority over the company's security
personnel, who in turn has priority over the company's vice
presidents, etc.
[0014] Using this example metric, when the packet transmission rate
between offices is actually or potentially approaching peak load
capacity, the PBX assigns a packet delay time in proportion to the
designated metric (as can be measured from the header content of
each packet). This causes workers who do not have internal
telephone related job functions and who do not have high employee
rank to decide to tell the party with whom they a speaking ". . .
seems to be a problem with the phones today . . . I'll talk to you
tomorrow". Eventually these types of employees learn or otherwise
habituate to not use the internal telephone system during peak load
periods. To a lesser degree, intermediate metric users are likewise
habituated; while priority metric users never experience any
degradation of service due to peak loads.
[0015] The present invention relates to a method for economically
sub-optimizing interactions in data communications network
environments. Furthermore, the present invention relates to devices
used to implement the method of the present invention.
[0016] The method, for economically sub-optimizing interactions in
data communications network environments, according to the present
invention includes the steps of:
[0017] (a) aggregating a statistical profile of data
communications, substantially from a vantage of a predetermined
node, wherein this node is located between firstly an isolatable
sub-network of the network environment having at least one
interactive participant and secondly a preponderance of the
remaining network environment;
[0018] (b) electing at least one data communications traffic load
threshold from the statistical profile according to a substantially
economic consideration;
[0019] (c) substantially at the node, assigning a parametric data
transfer delay interval to each data communication exceeding the
threshold;
[0020] (d) effecting the delay by storing each assigned data
communication for the interval before transferring the data
communication substantially across the node, wherein the
sub-network includes a participant of the at least one interactive
participant, and the participant is a sender or an intended
receiver of the data communication.
[0021] The present invention also relates to a device for effecting
delay in a data communications network environment, wherein the
device has two sides to be connected in the environment
substantially as a non bypassable interconnection between on a
first side at least one interactive participant of an isolatable
sub-network of the environment and on a second side a preponderance
of the remaining environment. This device includes:
[0022] (a) a receiving port for accepting data communications on
the first side of the two sides;
[0023] (b) a transfer delay interval assigning module connected to
the receiving port, the assigning module associating a delay
interval metric to each data communication that is exceeding a
predetermined traffic load threshold metric;
[0024] (c) a data communications storage module connected to the
assigning module, wherein each data communication is stored therein
for the associated delay interval; and
[0025] (d) a transmitting port connected to the storage module, the
transmitting port being for transmitting data communications on the
second side of the two sides.
[0026] The present invention also relates to other variations of
this device, as will be described in detail forthwith.
[0027] NOTE: It should be appreciated that while the preferred
embodiment of the present invention relates to a controlled smart
application of data transfer delay intervals, there are equivalent
mechanisms that are also applicable herein. For example, lowering
the traffic load queue priority of a packet is often equivalent to
assigning a delay to the packet. This is the case when the server
is busy with a high traffic load. However, when the server is not
busy with a high traffic load, the use of priority lowering is not
equivalent to intentional delay interval assignment. Since the
present invention relates to various implementations and weighting
factors when assigning delay intervals, it should be appreciated
that for many (but not all) of these factor scenarios, priority
lowering is equivalent to delay interval assignment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] In order to understand the invention and to see how it may
be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by
way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0029] FIGS. 1-5 are schematic illustrations of network
environments wherein the nomenclature "isolatable sub-network" and
"substantially across a node" can be more readily understood;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of steps according to the
method of the present invention;
[0031] FIGS. 7-10 are schematic illustrations of embodiments of the
device of the present invention; and
[0032] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of the preferred
embodiment of the device of the present invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0033] In the context of the present invention, "data
communications" relates to any electrical signal which is
propagated in a system, wherein the signal contains a digital or an
analog representation of data, text, audio content, visual content,
or the like, or any combination thereof This is intended to include
telephone communications, file transfers, command-control
transactions, hypertext, Virtual Reality Modeling Language
executions, voice, graphics, photos, music, or the like, Data
communications also relates to the packets of content into which
these signals may be divided or aggregated. There are also
substantial equivalents to packeting; such as line
switching/allocation, dynamic frequency modulation, multiplexing,
etc.
[0034] Furthermore, there are certain topological notions and their
generalizations that are important for the proper appreciation of
the present invention. Specifically, in FIGS. 1-5 the nomenclature
"isolatable subnetwork" and "substantially across a node" can be
more readily understood.
[0035] Another important topological notion, in the context of the
present invention, relates to interconnection in data
communications networks. For simplicity of illustration and
explanation, these interconnections are illustrated and described
as if they are simple single lines. In actuality, the number of
lines depends on many complex factors; among which bandwidth
requirements, protocol, and line-quality are the most significant.
In large scale data communication networks there often exist
complex conduits; which may be de-convoluted into constituent
components of multiplexing modules, inverse multiplexing modules,
and the lines which interconnect them into a functioning data
communications conduit. For example, there are data communications
interconnections between two nodes that use multi-link PPP or
frame-relay protocol. There are also single nodes that interconnect
between disparate numbers of lines (e.g. a traffic shaper (node)
that interconnects a single LAN with a plurality of WANs).
Therefore, it should be appreciated that the present invention is
applicable to environments having interconnections where two nodes
are connected via several links employing multiplexing techniques;
and equivalently for single nodes interconnecting between disparate
numbers of lines.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a simple data communications network having a
star topology. Interactive participants (1) and (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d)
are interconnected to the routing hub of the star (4). Participant
(1) is an isolatable sub-network with respect to the hub and the
other participants (2a . . . 2d). All data communications between
participant (1) and the other participants (2a . . . 2d) must
traverse a node (3), which is substantially equivalent to saying
that these data communications must transverse one of (3a, 3b, 3c,
or 3d). Hence, substantially across a node (3) is equivalent to
across the group including nodes (3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d). When the
processing at node (3) is only with respect to "some" of the data
communications traversing, then substantially across a node (3) is
equivalent to across at least one node of the group including nodes
(3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d); wherein the weighting of data communications
selection is (can be) normalized to be equivalent the amount of the
"some" of the data communications.
[0037] FIG. 2 shows a simple data communications network having a
wide area network (5). Interactive participant (1) is
interconnected to other interactive participants (who are "members"
of the wide area network WAN). Participant (1) is an isolatable
sub-network with respect to the WAN and the other participants
therein. All data communications between participant (1) and the
other participants must traverse a node (3). FIG. 3 shows a simple
data communications network having a local area network (6) and a
wide area network (5). Interactive participant (1) is
interconnected to other interactive participants (that are
"members" of the wide area network--WAN) and to other interactive
participants that are "members" of the local area network--LAN. The
LAN is an isolatable sub-network with respect to the WAN. All data
communications between participants of the WAN and participants of
the LAN must traverse a node (3). However, data communications
between members of the WAN (5) do not traverse node (3), and
likewise data communications between members of the LAN (6) do not
traverse node (3).
[0038] FIG. 4 shows a data communications network having a wide
area network (7) and a wide area network (5). Interactive
participant (1) is interconnected to other interactive
participants--that are "members" of the wide area networks. The WAN
(7) is an isolatable sub-network with respect to the WAN (5). All
data communications between participants of the WAN (7) and
participants of the WAN (5) must traverse a node (3). However, data
communications between members of the WAN (7) do not traverse node
(3).
[0039] FIG. 5 shows a data communications network having a wide
area network (7) and a wide area network (5). Interactive
participant (1) is interconnected to other interactive
participants--that are "members" of the wide area networks. The WAN
(7) is an isolatable sub-network with respect to the WAN (5). All
data communications between participants of the WAN (7) and
participants of the WAN (5) must traverse a node (3h). Node (3h) is
substantially equivalent to the collection of nodes (3e) (3f) (3g).
However, data communications between members of the WAN (7) (e.g.
between participants (1) and (8)) may or may not traverse node
(3h). The routing of the data communication may proceed directly
within WAN (7) or it may traverse via WAN (5).
[0040] Furthermore, it should be noted that substantially applying
a stochastic increase in response time at node (3h) is equivalent
to applying a weighted stochastic increase at one or two of nodes
(3e) (3f) and (3g). This could also be stated in relating (see FIG.
1) node (3) with the collection of nodes (3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d).
[0041] The present invention relates to a method (see FIG. 6) for
economically sub-optimizing interactions in data communications
network environments.
[0042] This method includes the steps of:
[0043] (a) Aggregating (9) a statistical profile of data
communications, substantially from a vantage of a predetermined
node. The node is located between firstly an isolatable sub-network
of the network environment having at least one interactive
participant and secondly a preponderance of the remaining network
environment.
[0044] This aggregation may be accomplished:
[0045] by logging information from packet headers (e.g. sender or
receiver) at the predetermined node; or
[0046] by examining packet contents (e.g. HTML page, email
contents, notations indicating specific a specific transaction, or
the like); or
[0047] by logging the information at a larger number of nodes and
thereafter approximating the data so collected for the
predetermined node.
[0048] This aggregation may be accomplished from logging header
information at the routers (in WAN) or by significant sampling of a
portion of data communications at a portion of nodes (for very
large systems). The specific nature of the aggregating the data, as
summarized into a statistical profile, and the accuracy of the
profile are all directly associated with the nature of the economic
sub-optimization desired. The specific data elements collected and
their method of collection are essentially familiar to those who
undertake load studies in conjunction with those who undertake
cost-benefit analyses.
[0049] (b) Electing (10) at least one data communications traffic
load threshold from the statistical profile according to a
substantially economic consideration.
[0050] The statistical profile must be analyzed and a metric must
be constructed which will effect a functional reallocation of
limited communications interconnection resources during actual or
potential peak load periods. Implementation of the present system
during actual peak load periods is dependent on having a peak load
monitor while implementation during potential peak load periods can
be "scheduled" from the data collected to form the profile. It
should be appreciated that there are a number of applicable "peak
loads" (e.g. server packet-transferring peak load, server
associated administrative activity peak load, network throughput
peak load, etc.); and that some of these are not readily
monitored.
[0051] (c) Substantially at the node (whose vantage was of concern
in step (a)), assigning (11) a parametric data transfer delay
interval to each data communication exceeding the threshold.
[0052] The parametric delay interval is a related methodological
unit for "encouraging" acceptance of the load sharing. For example,
if the profile is only used to isolate potential peak periods then
the parametric delay may assign the amount of delay according to
factors such as employee status, job function description, time of
day, etc.
[0053] (d) Effecting (12) the delay by storing each assigned data
communication for the interval before transferring the data
communication substantially across the node. The sub-network
includes a participant of the at least one interactive participant.
The participant is a sender or an intended receiver of the data
communication. The storing is in a queue, a periodically re-sorted
list, a time delay buffer, a transmission scheduler, or the
like.
[0054] According to the preferred embodiment of the method of the
present invention, aggregating a statistical profile of data
communications includes traffic load metrics with respect to a
variable selected from the list:
[0055] Time of day
[0056] Day of week
[0057] Day of month
[0058] Day of year (e.g. regular work day, holiday, etc.)
[0059] Sender (e.g. name, ID, etc.)
[0060] Categorization of sender (employee status, customer status,
supplier status, etc.)
[0061] Intended receiver (e.g. name, ID, etc.)
[0062] Categorization of intended receiver (employee status,
customer status, supplier status, etc.)
[0063] Size of data communications (e.g. bandwidth required, time
of transmission, number of packets,
[0064] Media content category of data communications (e.g.
Telephone, multimedia, electronic finds transfer, etc.)
[0065] Transactional category of data communications (e.g. Customer
ordering, customer service, management, maintenance, etc.)
[0066] Rate-structure effecting data communications (e.g. service
provider, contract terms for guaranteed service and for peak load
service, rate tables, etc.)
[0067] Delay Sensitivity
[0068] Minimum Requirements
[0069] Maximum Requirements
[0070] In general, the most manageable cost factor is the rate
structure effecting data communications, and accordingly great cost
saving can presently be achieved in WAN base systems if the
bandwidth of the constant communications load can be kept within a
controlled limit.
[0071] The present invention is directed to changing the way humans
interact with data communications technologies; and
circumstantially to effecting modifications in those automated
portions of data communications systems which are sensitive to
response time metrics. According to the preferred embodiment of the
method of the present invention, a computer is the participant of
the at least one interactive participant. Having a computer as the
active participant more easily enables automatic load monitoring,
balancing, and limiting. Furthermore, according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the computer is substantially
operating according to interactive human control. According to
other embodiments of the present invention, the participant is a
telephone, or a radio or microwave transmitter/receiver, or a
remote camera/monitor, or the like. While interactive human control
may be enabled via a computer or directly, the enabling of devices
according to the method of the present invention is more efficient
for the habituation of the human when the human interaction is via
a computer.
[0072] According to the preferred embodiment of the method of the
present invention, the preponderance of the remaining network
environment includes a wide area network or a portion thereof.
Determination of measure with respect to "preponderance of the
remaining network environment" can be assigned by available
bandwidth, number of packets traversing in an average time
interval, number of registered active-participants, or the like.
According to other embodiments of the present invention, the
network environment may constitute or include a wide are network, a
wireless network, a metropolitan area network, a local area
network, a non-packet oriented network, etc. Recall that a
motivation of the present invention relates to "changing the way
humans interact with data communications technologies." Thus it is
not the data communications technology per se that is of concern,
but rather the human interactions therewith.
[0073] According to the preferred embodiment of the method of the
present invention, a substantially economic consideration
relates:
[0074] to either an aspect of a monetary payment rate structure
effecting data communications;
[0075] or to an aspect of a monetary payment rate structure
effecting time of the participant of the at least one interactive
participants.
[0076] According to one embodiment of the method of the present
invention, the assigning of a parametric data transfer delay
interval is determined according to an econometric model. The
econometric model relates cost-type variables to data
communications measurable variables (from the aggregation) in order
to identify possible sub-optimization regions in the resultant
model.
[0077] According to another embodiment of the method of the present
invention, the assigning of a parametric data transfer delay
interval is determined according to a feedback model. The feedback
model considers how the assignment of stochastic, progressive, or
deterministic delay metrics effect productivity, integrate into the
normal work activity as habituation, effect attitudes, etc.
[0078] According to the preferred embodiment of the method of the
present invention, aspects of the feedback model are equated as
economic entities and are incorporated into a feedback sensitive
economic model.
[0079] The present invention also relates to device embodiments
wherein significant aspects of the method of the present invention
are incorporated.
[0080] The present invention relates to a first embodiment of a
device for effecting delay in a data communications network
environment (see FIG. 7). The first embodiment device has two sides
to be connected in the environment substantially as a non
bypassable interconnection between on a first side at least one
interactive participant (1) of an isolatable sub-network of the
environment and on a second side a preponderance of the remaining
environment (5).
[0081] This first embodiment of a device according to the present
invention includes:
[0082] (a) A receiving port (13) for accepting data communications
(on a packet by packet basis or the like) on the first side of the
two sides.
[0083] (b) A transfer delay interval-assigning module (14)
connected to the receiving port. The assigning module associates a
delay interval metric to each data communication (on a packet by
packet basis or the like) that is exceeding a predetermined traffic
load threshold metric.
[0084] (c) A data communications storage module (15) connected to
the assigning module, wherein each data communication (on a packet
by packet basis or the like) is stored therein for the associated
delay interval.
[0085] (d) A transmitting port (16) connected to the storage
module. The transmitting port is for transmitting data
communications (on a packet by packet basis or the like) on the
second side of the two sides.
[0086] According to a significant variation (see FIG. 8) of this
first embodiment, the orientation of the device is reversed such
that the receiving port (13) is for receiving on the second side of
the two sides and the transmitting port (16) is for transmitting to
the first side of the two sides. Substantially the first embodiment
and its variation are identical, however the first embodiment
imposes the delay before the participant injects a data
communications into the network environment, while the variation
embodiment delays delivery of data communications from the network
environment to the participant.
[0087] The present invention also relates to a second embodiment of
a device for effecting delay in a data communications network
environment (see FIG. 9). The second embodiment device has two
sides to be connected in the environment substantially as a non
bypassable interconnection between on one side at least one
interactive participant (1) of an isolatable sub-network of the
environment and on the other side a preponderance of the remaining
environment (15).
[0088] This second embodiment of a device according to the present
invention includes:
[0089] (a) A receiving port (13a) for accepting data communications
(on a packet by packet basis or the like) on either side of the two
sides, and the receiving port designates each data communication
with the side appropriate for its eventual transmission.
[0090] (b) A transfer delay interval-assigning module (14)
connected to the receiving port. The assigning module associates a
delay interval metric to each data communication (on a packet by
packet basis or the like) that is exceeding a predetermined traffic
load threshold metric.
[0091] (c) A data communications storage module (15) connected to
the assigning module, wherein each data communication (on a packet
by packet basis or the like) is stored therein for the associated
delay interval.
[0092] (d) A transmitting port (16a) connected to the storage
module. The transmitting port is for transmitting each data
communications (on a packet by packet basis or the like) on the
appropriate side as designated by the receiving port.
[0093] The present invention also relates to a third embodiment of
a device for effecting delay in a data communications network
environment (see FIG. 10). The third embodiment device has more
than two sides, to wit: an aggregation (17) (18) of at least one of
the more that two sides for connecting to at least one interactive
participant of an isolatable sub-network of the environment and the
remaining at least one side of the more than two sides for
connecting to a preponderance of the remaining environment
(19).
[0094] This third embodiment of a device according to the present
invention includes:
[0095] (a) A receiving port (13b) for accepting data communications
(on a packet by packet basis or the like) on any one of the more
than two sides and the receiving port designates each data
communication with at least one side of the other sides as
appropriate for its eventual transmission.
[0096] (b) A transfer delay interval-assigning module (14)
connected to the receiving port. The assigning module associates a
delay interval metric to each data communication (on a packet by
packet basis or the like) that is exceeding a predetermined traffic
load threshold metric.
[0097] (c) A data communications storage module (15) connected to
the interval-assigning module, wherein each data communication (on
a packet by packet basis or the like) is stored therein for the
associated delay interval.
[0098] (d) A transmitting port (16b) connected to the storage
module. The transmitting port is for transmitting each data
communications (on a packet by packet basis or the like) on each
side so designated by the receiving port.
[0099] According to an interesting variation embodiment of the
third device embodiment, the isolatable sub-network is
substantially identical to a preponderance of the remaining
environment. For example, this is the case when the device is
installed at node 3e or node 3f or node 3g as seen in FIG. 5.
[0100] In FIG. 5, WAN (5) and WAN (7) are each "isolatable
sub-networks" and are each "substantially identical to a
preponderance of the remaining environment" with respect to each
other. Installing the device at node 3e or node 3f or node 3g
instead of at all three of them (node 3h) does not alter the device
per se (at this stage of the developmental presentation of
embodiments). However, this topologically ambiguous style of device
installation does alter the simple conception of how the device
enables implementation of the method of the present invention.
[0101] According to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention (see FIG. 11) for any of the device embodiments or any
variation embodiment thereof, an aggregating module (20a or 20b) is
connected to the assigning module or to the storage module. The
aggregating module aggregates a statistical profile of data
communications. Here the device having an aggregating module is
simultaneously used to allow a more complete embodiment of the
method of the present invention (hereinafter the "methodenabled
device"). Here in FIG. 11 "(13c)" designates any receiving port
(13) or (13a) or (13b); and "(16c)" designates any corresponding
transmitting port (16) or (16a) or (16b).
[0102] According to the preferred embodiment of the method-enabled
device of the present invention, an electing module (21) is
connected to the aggregating module on one side and to the
assigning module on the other side. The electing module elects at
least one data communications traffic load threshold from the
profile of the aggregating module according to a substantially
economic consideration.
[0103] According to the preferred embodiment of the method-enabled
device of the present invention, at predetermined times or
according to predetermined conditions, an updating is performed on
the profile of the aggregating module for access by the electing
module.
[0104] According to the preferred embodiment of the method-enabled
device of the present invention, a simulation module (22) is
associated with the electing module or with characterizations of an
updated profile prior to the profile's access by the electing
module. The simulation module substantially compares the delay
metric in use with the effects of applying at least one delay
metric according to at least one scenario of economic
considerations. Thereinafter the simulation module effects a
modification of the metric used or of the economic consideration
used by the aggregating module--whenever the comparing of a
simulated metric or simulated scenario substantially improves on
the metric or scenario used by the aggregating module.
[0105] According to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention for any of the device embodiments or any variation
embodiment thereof, at least one service module (23a or 23b) is
associated with the assigning module or with the storage module.
The service module includes at least one data communications task
selected from the list: traffic monitoring, traffic shaping,
encryption, decryption, security filtering, traffic logging,
traffic aggregation, traffic fragmentation, or traffic route
modification.
[0106] The method, device embodiments, and method-enabled device of
the present invention allow greater cost savings than the many
prior art attempts to independently sub-optimize. Simultaneously
the present invention allows any benefits that may be achieved by
independent sub-optimization to be used (e.g. use of: Amortization
and maintenance improvements may be addressed as for any other
equipment that becomes rapidly obsolescent. Productivity
improvement may be addressed as a mix of security restrictions and
the maximizing of response time. Rate payment structures
improvement may be addressed substantially as directed to finding
cheaper service providers or to using computational tricks in order
to achieve higher utilization of the current service provider(s).).
Most significantly the present invention relates to cost savings
associated with relevant psychological factor that are involved
when one or more persons are parties to a data communications
transaction.
* * * * *
References