Adaptive Bandwidth Management for Self-Service Communication Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Self-service systems, such as IVR and online chat systems, face service quality issues due to varying network connection strengths and bandwidth, especially when users are in motion, leading to interrupted interactions and poor user experience.

Innovation Solution

An adaptive bandwidth management system that includes a user interface module and a bandwidth analysis module to assess network performance in real-time, adjusting communication modes and data transmission based on calculated bandwidth criteria to ensure optimal user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the system uses multiple network communication modes to service user queries, then the versatility and quality of service are improved, but the system complexity and difficulty of managing varying network conditions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication mode adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the available communication modes based on real-time bandwidth conditions. The user interface module receives bandwidth criteria from the host device and dynamically modifies which communication modes are presented to the user, allowing the system to adapt to changing network conditions without requiring complex manual configuration or management of multiple modes simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of communication mode availability based on bandwidth parameters received from the host device. When bandwidth conditions change, the user interface module modifies which communication modes are made available to the user, effectively using parameter changes to manage system complexity while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the system provides comprehensive self-service functionality, then the productivity and service quality are improved, but the network bandwidth consumption and system resource usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements partial action by providing only the necessary self-service functionality based on current bandwidth conditions. The user interface module selectively enables or disables communication modes and features according to the bandwidth criteria received from the host device, ensuring that sufficient service functionality is provided without consuming excessive network bandwidth

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves multi-functionality through a single adaptive interface that can operate in multiple communication modes. Rather than implementing separate specialized systems for different bandwidth conditions, the user interface module universally handles various service requests by dynamically adjusting which communication modes are available, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining service versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the system adapts communication modes in real-time based on bandwidth, then the user experience and service reliability are improved, but the processing overhead and response time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice reliabilityVSAvoidadaptation response time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the host device in the form of bandwidth criteria to adjust communication mode availability. The user interface module receives real-time bandwidth information from the host device and immediately modifies which communication modes are presented to the user, creating a feedback loop that maintains service reliability without requiring complex local bandwidth analysis or processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The host device performs self-service by automatically determining and communicating bandwidth criteria to the user interface module. This eliminates the need for the user device to independently analyze network conditions or make complex adaptation decisions, reducing processing overhead while maintaining adaptive responsiveness to changing bandwidth conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3241119B1Methods and apparatus for adaptive bandwidth-based communication management
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 VERINT AMERICAS INC
  • EP3241119B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3241119B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3241119B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus, includes a user interface module configured to send a signal to display an interface of a self-service application used by a user to communicate with a host device via a network. The apparatus also includes a bandwidth analysis module operatively coupled to the user interface module. The bandwidth analysis module is configured to calculate a bandwidth associated with communication with the host device via the network. The bandwidth analysis module is also configured to receive, from the host device, a bandwidth criterion associated with at least one network communication mode used for communication with the host device. The user interface module is configured to reduce or eliminate an availability of the at least one network communication mode to the self-service application when the bandwidth fails to meet the bandwidth criterion.