Methods and devices for supporting transfer processes of data in wireless communications network

A method in a second data device for relaying data pieces received from a first data device, the method comprising:

• receiving, via a short-range communication, a request to relay a data piece identified by an identifier included in the request, wherein the identifier uniquely identifies the data piece;
• making a selection decision for said identified data piece;
• after making the selection decision, sending a response to the first data device, the response comprising first information indicating whether the identified data piece is selected by said second data device for relaying, second information indicating an estimated next network connectivity time (Tw), and third information indicating an estimated probability for next network connectivity for said second data device (Prelay), wherein the second information and the third information are different;
• and
• receiving, from the first data device, either the identified data piece or a relay abortion based on a data relay decision made by the first data device for said identified data piece, wherein the data relay decision is based on the second information indicating the Tw, the third information indicating the Prelay, a transfer probability (Pdata) for said identified data piece, and a data piece transfer deadline (td) for said identified data piece.

A first data device adapted for transferring data pieces (DP) to an intended end destination, said first data device comprising:

• a transmitter;
• a receiver;
• and
• processing circuitry operative to:
• employ the transmitter to send to a second data device, via a short-range communication, a relay request to relay at least a data piece identified by an identifier included in the relay request, wherein the identifier uniquely identifies the data piece;
• obtain, via the receiver, a response transmitted by the second data device in response to the relay request, the response comprising first information indicating whether the identified data piece is accepted by said second data device for relaying, second information indicating an estimated next network connectivity time (Tw), and third information indicating an estimated probability for next network connectivity for said second data device (Prelay), wherein the second information and the third information are different;
• determine whether to send to the second data device the identified data piece for relay by the second data device based on said second information indicating the Tw, said third information indicating the Prelay, a transfer probability (Pdata) for said identified data piece, and a data piece transfer deadline (td) for said identified data piece, wherein determining whether to send to the second data device the identified data piece for relay by the second data device comprises comparing the Tw and the td and/or comparing the Prelay and Pdata;
• and
• employ the transmitter to send to said second data device said identified data piece after determining to send to the second data device the identified data piece for relay by the second data device.

A second data device comprising:

• a transmitter;
• a receiver;
• and
• processing circuitry operative to:
• obtain via the receiver a relay request transmitted by a first data device, the relay request comprising a request to relay at least a data piece identified by an identifier in the relay request, wherein the identifier uniquely identifies the data piece;
• make a selection decision for said identified data piece;
• employ the transmitter to send to the first data device a response comprising first information indicating whether the identified data piece is selected by the data device for relaying, second information indicating an estimated next network connectivity time (Tw), and third information indicating an estimated probability for next network connectivity for the data device (Prelay), wherein the second information and the third information are different;
• and
• obtain via the receiver either the identified data piece or a relay abortion based on a data relay decision made by the first data device for said identified data piece, wherein the data relay decision is based on the second information indicating the Tw, the third information indicating the Prelay, a transfer probability (Pdata) for said identified data piece, and a data piece transfer deadline (td) for said identified data piece.

A method in a server for forwarding data pieces from a first data device to intended end destinations, the server being a network host which operates as a proxy for incoming data pieces from data devices, wherein the first data device communicates via short-range communication with one or more second data devices capable of operating as relay devices, the method comprising:

• establishing a connection with a second data device operating as a relay device via a radio access point;
• receiving from the second data device a request to relay an identified data piece, wherein said identified data piece has been relayed from the first data device to the second data device based on a data relay decision made by the first data device for said identified data piece, the data relay decision being based on first information indicating an estimated next network connectivity time (Tw), second information indicating an estimated probability for next network connectivity for the second data device (Prelay), a transfer probability (Pdata), and data piece transfer deadline (td) for said identified data piece, wherein the first information and the second information are different, and the data relay decision comprises comparing the Tw and the td and/or comparing the Prelay and Pdata;
• making a selection decision for said identified data piece;
• sending a response comprising information regarding a selection of said identified data piece;
• receiving one or more data pieces from the second data device;
• forwarding one or more data pieces towards the intended end destination of the data pieces;
• updating a table with data IDs identifying the data pieces forwarded;
• and
• sending an acknowledgement for each received data piece to the second data device.

A server adapted for forwarding data pieces to intended end destinations, the server being a network host which operates as a proxy for incoming data pieces from data devices, wherein the first data device communicates via short-range communication with one or more second data devices capable of operating as relay devices, the server comprising:

• a transmitter;
• a receiver;
• and
• processing circuitry operative to:
• establish a connection with a second data device operating as a relay device via a radio access point;
• receive from the second data device a request to relay one or more identified data pieces, wherein said one or more identified data pieces have been relayed from the first data device to the second data device based on a data relay decision made by the first data device for said one or more identified data pieces, the data relay decision being based on first information indicating an estimated next network connectivity (Tw), second information indicating an estimated probability for next network connectivity for the second data device (Prelay), a transfer probability (Pdata), and data piece transfer deadline (td) for said one or more data pieces, wherein the first information and the second information are different, and the data relay decision comprises comparing the Tw and the td and/or comparing the Prelay and Pdata;
• make a selection decision for each of said one or more identified data pieces;
• send a response comprising information regarding which one or more identified data pieces are selected;
• receive one or more data pieces;
• forward one or more data pieces towards the data piece's intended end destination;
• update a table with data IDs identifying the data pieces forwarded;
• send an acknowledgement for each received data piece to the second data device.