Content Distribution System Adaptive Network Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
IP multicast distribution in networks is hindered by routers not supporting IP multicast, leading to increased processing load and communication traffic, and overlay IP multicast distribution results in quality degradation and high processing requirements for terminal devices.
Innovation Solution
A content distribution system that includes a content distribution server, a manifest file distribution server, and a TV broadcasting apparatus, which uses reception reports to determine if on-air broadcast distribution should continue and converts content coding schemes for stable relay over networks, allowing for adaptive distribution between internet and broadcast networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If IP multicast distribution is used to reduce processing load and communication traffic, then efficiency is improved, but it requires router support which is not available in most Internet networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a content relay apparatus as an intermediary between the content distribution server and terminal devices. This relay apparatus implements overlay multicast distribution, where relay nodes (other terminal devices) forward content to multiple subscribers. This mediator approach allows multicast functionality to operate over standard Internet infrastructure without requiring specialized router support, resolving the contradiction between distribution efficiency and network compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional network-layer multicast (requiring router support) to application-layer multicast (overlay multicast). By implementing multicast at the application layer through relay nodes rather than at the network layer through routers, the system achieves multicast efficiency while maintaining compatibility with standard Internet infrastructure. This dimensional shift from network layer to application layer resolves the compatibility issue.
2Adaptability or versatility
If overlay IP multicast distribution is used to avoid router support requirements, then network compatibility is improved, but content quality degrades and processing load increases for terminal devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic selection of distribution methods based on real-time conditions. The content distribution server determines whether to use unicast or multicast distribution by evaluating factors such as network conditions and terminal device capabilities. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high content quality by using efficient unicast when necessary while falling back to compatible multicast approaches when needed, resolving the contradiction between compatibility and quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where terminal devices report their reception status and quality to the content distribution server. Based on this feedback, the server can adjust the distribution strategy in real-time, selecting optimal relay nodes or switching between unicast and multicast modes. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain content quality while achieving network compatibility through adaptive decision-making.
3Reliability
If unicast distribution is used to ensure content delivery to each terminal, then delivery reliability is improved, but processing load and communication traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the distribution process into two phases: a multicast distribution phase for efficient content delivery to multiple terminals, and a unicast relay phase for individual terminal reception. By segmenting the distribution architecture this way, the system achieves the reliability of unicast delivery while incorporating the efficiency benefits of multicast, resolving the contradiction between delivery reliability and processing load.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present technology relates to a transmitting apparatus, a transmitting method, a receiving apparatus, a receiving method, a program, and a content distribution system capable of stably supplying content to a plurality of terminal devices. A terminal device 21 is capable of receiving content streaming distribution from a content distribution server 11 over the Internet 2. In addition, the terminal device 21 is capable of relaying the received content to a different terminal device 21 over the Internet 2. If the quality of the content distributed in such a manner is degraded (e.g., the amount of delay increases), the content distribution server 11 can control a TV broadcasting apparatus 13 to streaming-distribute the content by on-air broadcast. In addition, the content distribution server 11 can stop broadcasting of the content in accordance with the number of viewers. The present invention is applicable to a content distribution system.