Function Usage Mapping for Low-Bandwidth Software Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
In client-server configurations, the high bandwidth requirements for frequent firmware updates in constrained environments, such as set-top boxes, are challenging due to limited return channel bandwidth, making it difficult to transmit detailed function usage statistics in a timely manner without losing information.
Innovation Solution
A method that derives a function mapping table using run-length encoding to map frequently used functions to shorter abbreviations, reducing data transmission, and periodically updates the table by communicating only changes or omitting frequently used parameters, thereby minimizing data sent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If detailed function usage statistics are transmitted frequently to enable frequent firmware updates, then firmware optimization performance is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases beyond the limited return channel capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation format by replacing full function names with numeric identifiers in the statistics data. This parameter transformation reduces the data size significantly while preserving all necessary information for firmware optimization, enabling frequent updates within bandwidth constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the statistics data using abbreviated function identifiers instead of complete function names. This copied representation maintains the essential usage patterns needed for optimization while consuming minimal bandwidth for transmission
2Quantity of substance
If function names are abbreviated to reduce data size, then bandwidth usage is reduced, but information loss may occur without proper mapping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mapping table as an intermediary between the abbreviated function identifiers in statistics and the actual function names needed for optimization. This mapping structure preserves complete function identification capability while enabling compact data representation during transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary encoding of function names into numeric identifiers before statistics collection and transmission. This advance transformation ensures that the abbreviated form is already prepared and validated, eliminating information loss risks during subsequent processing
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method of measuring and updating a software program in a client system, the software program comprising plural functions, the method comprising receiving statistics on the usage of certain functions in the software program in a predetermined time period and generating and issuing an update to the software based on the statistics, characterized by deriving a function mapping table mapping functions of the software program to abbreviations, said mapping being arranged in order of frequency of use of the functions as indicated in previously received statistics, and communicating said table to the client system, where said statistics received from the client system refer to the abbreviations instead of the functions.