OFFLINE MODE FOR MESSENGER

A Use Case for Bluetooth Mesh Infrasstructure Project

Our engineering team worked on building a Mesh Network Infrastructure based on Bluetooth 5 technology (BT5 Mesh).

As a part of this project, we executed a use case of offline messaging module for Facebook Messenger mobile application. We used both Facebook Messenger and Messenger Lite for our design, development, and deployment purpose.

In this work, the word 'Messenger' means 'Messenger' mobile application by Facebook. 

CREDITS

Product Design
Abhijit Chirde

UX Research
Bevin D'cruz

Software Engineers
Pritesh Sankhe
Vikramank Singh

Hardware Engineer
Sai Sri Sathya

BACKGROUND

SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

Offline Mesh Network is based on the capabilities of Bluetooth 5. Low Energy Bluetooth devices are energy efficient. They function as relay stations for communication in the mesh network.  

offline-bt-mesh-messaging

APP DESIGN

WIREFRAMES

offline-wireframes

SYSTEM FLOW - OFFLINE MESSAGING FOR MESSENGER

Offline Mode for Messenger is a working scenario where a mobile phone would be able to send messages over a Bluetooth (BT5) Mesh Network when the data network is not available for the device.

systemflow-offline-messeging

Messages are sent and received over a mesh network made of many BT5 nodes. We used a dark-gray colored bubble to separate mesh messages in a regular thread.

systemflow-offline-messeging2

SYSTEM FLOW - OFFLINE TO ONLINE TRANSITION

As soon as device receives working internet connection, Messenger shifts to regular messaging methods.

systemflow-offline-online-transition

SYSTEM FLOW - MESH MESSAGING FOR MESSENGER

Another option we worked on is introducing a separate Messenger profile as Mesh Messaging where the user would be able to find all the conversations via mesh networks on an independent tab.

systemflow-mesh-messeging

PROTOTYPE

Offline Operations for Messenger

Mesh Messaging Section for Messenger

PROOF OF CONCEPT DEMO

The demo showing broadcast of messages on FB Messenger from one phone to all the phones connected nearby over Bluetooth Mesh Network.

In this demonstration, neighboring Android mobile devices hosting a development version of Facebook Messenger capable of communicating over Bluetooth 5 Mesh Network are receiving text messages sent by a mesh device.

For testing purposes, the devices were deliberately switched off from the mobile networks and Bluetooth permissions were enabled which a public version of FB Messenger doesn’t work with.