Gateway Multicast Content Delivery for Wireless Network Congestion

Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless networks become congested and slow down when a large number of devices in the same geographic area request the same additional content at the same time, as existing systems rely on unicast channels, which consume excessive bandwidth.

Innovation Solution

A system that monitors messages for those destined to multiple devices with the same pointer to additional content and transmits this content via multicast or broadcast channels, allowing simultaneous delivery to multiple devices, with unicast channels serving as a backup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If unicast channels are used to transmit additional content to multiple wireless devices, then each device can receive the content individually, but network bandwidth is excessively consumed and network congestion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent delivery reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple unicast transmissions into a single multicast transmission. When the gateway detects that multiple wireless devices request the same additional content, it combines these individual requests into one multicast stream that can be received by all requesting devices simultaneously, thereby reducing network bandwidth consumption while maintaining reliable content delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway implements multi-functionality by supporting both unicast and multicast transmission modes. It can switch between unicast (for individual device delivery) and multicast (for group delivery of same content), making the system adaptable to different traffic patterns and reducing overall network load when multiple devices request identical content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If unicast channels are used for content transmission, then content can be delivered to requesting devices, but network performance degrades during peak demand periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent delivery speedVSAvoidnetwork response speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple unicast transmissions into a single multicast transmission. When the gateway detects that multiple wireless devices request the same additional content, it combines these individual requests into one multicast stream that can be received by all requesting devices simultaneously, thereby reducing network bandwidth consumption while maintaining reliable content delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway performs preliminary action by monitoring incoming messages and detecting potential multicast opportunities before actual content requests are fulfilled. By identifying when multiple devices are likely to request the same content in advance, the gateway can proactively set up multicast streams, reducing network congestion before it occurs and maintaining faster response times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If individual content requests are handled separately for each device, then each device receives its requested content, but network congestion and slowdown occur when many devices request simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent request handling flexibilityVSAvoidnetwork stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway implements multi-functionality by supporting both unicast and multicast transmission modes. It can switch between unicast (for individual device delivery) and multicast (for group delivery of same content), making the system adaptable to different traffic patterns and reducing overall network load when multiple devices request identical content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway employs feedback mechanisms by monitoring incoming messages and detecting when multiple devices are requesting or about to request the same additional content. Based on this feedback, the gateway dynamically switches from individual unicast handling to group multicast transmission, maintaining network stability while preserving the flexibility to handle various request patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9161176B2Methods and apparatus for serving content to a wireless device

Publication Date: 2015.10.13 GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for serving content to a wireless device (106) are disclosed. In an embodiment, a gateway (114), or any other suitable device or system, determines that at least one message (e.g., a text or text-like message) containing a first pointer (e.g., a unicast URL) to the content (e.g., a web page) is to be transmitted via an emergency alert system (e.g., CMAS). In response thereto, the gateway (114) obtains the content using the first pointer and generates a second different pointer (e.g., a multicast/broadcast URL) to the content. The gateway (114) provides at least a portion of the at least one message and the second pointer for transmission via the emergency alert system (118). The gateway (114) also provides the content for transmission via a wireless multicast/broadcast channel (120) based on the second pointer.