Dynamic Content Transmission Switching for Bandwidth Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Content providers face challenges in efficiently managing content transmissions to multiple users without interrupting user consumption, particularly in adjusting or terminating content transmissions based on user demand.

Innovation Solution

The system dynamically switches users between different content transmissions, such as multicast content transmissions, by determining parameters like user access numbers and comparing them to thresholds to adjust bit rates or terminate transmissions, allowing for efficient use of network resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If content providers provide content through a single content transmission to save bandwidth, then network resource efficiency is improved, but the ability to adjust or modify content transmission is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth usageVSAvoidcontent transmission adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments content into multiple representations (e.g., different bit rates, resolutions) and organizes them into hierarchical structures. This allows the system to provide a single aggregated content transmission that can be dynamically segmented and recombined at the client side based on network conditions and user preferences, thus maintaining bandwidth efficiency while enabling flexible adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic content transmission adjustment by allowing clients to request specific segments or representations of content based on real-time network conditions. The system dynamically selects and transmits appropriate content segments without requiring a complete retransmission, enabling flexible modification of content delivery while maintaining efficient bandwidth utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If content providers make adjustments or changes to content transmission, then content delivery flexibility is improved, but user consumption is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent transmission flexibilityVSAvoiduser consumption continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-processes and segments content into multiple representations and stores them in advance. When network conditions change or adjustments are needed, the system can immediately switch to pre-prepared alternative segments without interrupting playback, as the alternative content is already available and ready for transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous content delivery by implementing seamless switching mechanisms between different content representations. The system maintains playback continuity by buffering alternative segments and transitioning between them without interruption, allowing flexible content transmission adjustments while preserving user consumption experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple content transmissions are provided at different bit rates, then content transmission adaptability is improved, but network resource efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent transmission adaptabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different content representations (bit rates, resolutions) only where and when needed. Instead of maintaining all possible versions continuously, the system segments content and provides appropriate representations based on local network conditions and user device capabilities, optimizing network resource usage while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes transmission parameters (bit rate, resolution, segment size) based on real-time network conditions and user preferences. By adjusting these parameters on-demand rather than maintaining fixed multiple transmissions, the system achieves content transmission adaptability while minimizing network resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12212621B2Manipulation of content transmissions

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 COMCAST CABLE COMM LLC

AI summary

Disclosed are methods and systems for providing content. An example method can comprise receiving, at a content provider, a request for a content transmission from a first device and determining a parameter related to the first content transmission and comparing the parameter to a threshold. An example method can comprise determining, by the content provider, a second content transmission based on the comparison to the threshold and providing the second content transmission to the first in response to the request.