Adaptable Multimedia Download System Bandwidth Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current media download services over wireless networks have not effectively utilized the increased bandwidth provided by advancements in air link interfaces, resulting in suboptimal data transmission and fidelity.

Innovation Solution

The method involves estimating available bandwidth and switching between low and high encoding rates based on bandwidth thresholds, enabling opportunistic downloads, using higher encoding rates when high bandwidth is available, and swapping or pulling supplemental content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If higher encoding rates are used for media download, then fidelity is improved, but download time increases and network bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia fidelityVSAvoiddownload time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts encoding rates based on real-time network conditions. The media server monitors available bandwidth and client device capabilities, then adaptively selects appropriate encoding rates. This allows the system to use higher encoding rates when bandwidth is abundant (improving fidelity) and switch to lower encoding rates when bandwidth is constrained (reducing download time), thereby resolving the contradiction between fidelity and download time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the encoding rate parameter based on network conditions and device capabilities. By maintaining multiple encoding versions of the same media content and selecting the appropriate version based on current parameters (bandwidth, device storage, processing power), the system optimizes the trade-off between fidelity and download time without requiring re-encoding during transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If higher encoding rates are used for media download, then fidelity is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia fidelityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts encoding rate selection to current network bandwidth availability. The media server continuously monitors network conditions and adjusts the encoding rate accordingly, using higher rates when bandwidth is abundant and lower rates when bandwidth is constrained. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by matching resource consumption to actual availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the encoding rate parameter based on monitored network bandwidth conditions. By maintaining multiple encoding versions and selecting the appropriate one based on current bandwidth parameters, the system optimizes fidelity while preventing excessive bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the system adapts encoding rates based on network conditions, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the media server monitors network conditions and client device status, then uses this information to adaptively select encoding rates. The feedback loop includes bandwidth monitoring, device capability assessment, and dynamic encoding rate selection, which improves bandwidth efficiency while managing complexity through automated decision-making rather than manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring its own network conditions and device capabilities, then autonomously selecting appropriate encoding rates without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach improves bandwidth efficiency while keeping complexity manageable through automated algorithms rather than complex manual control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3742708B1System and method for adaptable multimedia download resulting in efficient airlink usage
Publication Date: 2022.07.06 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3742708B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3742708B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3742708B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Apparatus and methods provide for a way to intelligently maximizing capability for a media download service over a wireless network. An available bandwidth of the wireless network is estimated and compared against a threshold. If the available bandwidth is above a predetermined threshold, the service is operated in a high bandwidth mode. If the bandwidth is not above a predetermined threshold, the service is operated in a low bandwidth mode.