Extended Content Delivery Network With In-Home Error Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content service providers face high costs and complexity in implementing infrastructure to deliver programs across a national scale while meeting quality-of-service standards, and traditional digital video recorder (DVR) devices are not suitable for Over The Top (OTT) devices like mobile devices and smart TVs.
Innovation Solution
An extended content delivery network (CDN) is introduced, featuring in-home media devices that communicate with the upper layer of the CDN, store programs, and provide error correction, as well as mobile devices that can act as CDN servers, allowing users to share programs and reduce resource usage by accessing content from nearby devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional CDN infrastructure is implemented to deliver programs nationally, then program delivery capability is improved, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CDN infrastructure into hierarchical layers: head-end equipment, cable modems, and set-top boxes. Each segment performs specific functions locally, distributing the delivery capability across multiple components rather than relying on a monolithic infrastructure, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining national delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cable modems as intermediary devices between the head-end equipment and set-top boxes. These modems act as local content storage and delivery points, mediating between the central CDN and end-user devices, which reduces the burden on main infrastructure while enabling efficient program delivery.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional DVR devices are used for content delivery, then content storage capability is improved, but compatibility with OTT devices is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes set-top boxes universal devices that can function both as traditional DVRs for cable content and as OTT device interfaces for internet-based content. The set-top box incorporates multiple tuners and supports various content sources, enabling it to serve multiple functions and be compatible with different device types including mobile devices and smart TVs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to content delivery by enabling content to be delivered not only through traditional cable infrastructure but also through internet-based OTT services. This multi-dimensional approach allows the same set-top box to access content from multiple sources (cable, internet, local storage), improving versatility without sacrificing storage capability.
3Reliability
If CDN infrastructure is expanded to meet quality-of-service standards, then service quality is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing program content at multiple levels of the hierarchy (head-end, cable modems, and set-top boxes) before user requests. This advance preparation ensures that content is readily available when needed, improving quality of service by reducing latency and ensuring reliable delivery without requiring complex real-time provisioning systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium provide an extended content delivery network service in which user devices are configured as extended content delivery network devices that download and/or stream programs to other users of the extended content delivery network service. Additionally, a method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium provide an in-home media server device that stores programs in a same format as a format of the programs stored in a content delivery network, and provide an error correction service in which a portion of a program including an error, initially received via a multicast or broadcast transmission, is replaced with a corrected portion of the program via a unicast transmission. Still further, a method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium provide a mobile extended content delivery network device that downloads or streams programs to other users of the extended content delivery network service.