Cellular Network Node Dynamic Point-to-Multipoint Streaming Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current point to multipoint delivery solutions for streaming content, such as eMBMS, require significant configuration efforts from content providers, increasing the burden on them, despite offering resource efficiency benefits.

Innovation Solution

The method involves designating a donor device within a cellular network to transmit content via unicast, which is then shared with other devices using point to multipoint delivery, reducing the need for extensive configuration by leveraging existing network infrastructure and dynamic token management to determine content interest across devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If point to multipoint delivery solutions such as eMBMS are used, then resource efficiency is improved, but configuration burden on content providers increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidconfiguration burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing wireless devices to autonomously indicate their content interest through token transmission. The network node automatically determines delivery mode based on the number of interested devices, eliminating the need for content providers to manually configure delivery parameters. The system serves itself by dynamically switching between unicast and point-to-multipoint modes based on real-time device interest.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic delivery mode selection where the network node continuously monitors the number of wireless devices interested in specific content and automatically switches between unicast and point-to-multipoint delivery modes. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize resource efficiency in real-time without requiring static configuration by content providers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If unicast delivery is used for each wireless device, then flexibility is improved, but resource usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidresource usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts delivery mode based on the number of interested devices. When only one device is interested, unicast delivery is used providing flexibility. When multiple devices show interest, the system automatically switches to point-to-multipoint delivery to reduce resource usage. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the delivery method to current network conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the delivery parameter (from unicast to point-to-multipoint) based on the number of interested wireless devices. This parameter change allows the system to maintain flexibility for individual devices while optimizing resource usage when multiple devices request the same content, effectively resolving the contradiction between flexibility and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If point to multipoint delivery is implemented, then resource efficiency is improved, but system configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidsystem configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the configuration complexity from the content provider side and relocates it to the network node. The network node automatically handles the complex task of determining delivery mode based on device interest tokens, while content providers only need to provide content. This extraction of configuration responsibilities simplifies the content provider's task while maintaining resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The network node acts as an intermediary that automatically manages the complex configuration between content providers and wireless devices. It receives content from providers, monitors device interest through tokens, and autonomously decides the optimal delivery mode. This intermediary role shields content providers from configuration complexity while enabling resource-efficient point-to-multipoint delivery when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3549308B1Enabling transmission of streaming content using point to multipoint delivery
Publication Date: 2021.01.27 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3549308B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3549308B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3549308B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

It is presented a method for enabling transmission of streaming content in a point to multipoint delivery. The method is performed in a radio network node of a cellular network. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a donor indication message from a wireless device in response to the wireless device receiving a donor command from an application server, the donor indication message indicating that the wireless device requests to be a donor device; setting up a point to multipoint delivery session; obtaining downlink data of streaming content destined for the donor device in a unicast delivery; transmitting the downlink data in a unicast delivery to the donor device; and transmitting a copy of the downlink data using the point to multipoint session, such that the downlink data can be received by a plurality of wireless devices being recipient devices.