Intermediate Device for Non-Real-Time Content Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video distribution systems face challenges in providing high-quality over-the-top (OTT) video services to users with limited high-speed internet access, particularly in rural areas, due to insufficient network performance and data caps.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize an intermediate device to pre-position content using low-cost, underused, or remnant capacity of communication networks, allowing for efficient delivery of content to user devices for both real-time and non-real-time consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If content is delivered in real-time over constrained networks (satellite, DSL, wireless), then network capacity and throughput are consumed, but service quality and availability deteriorate due to insufficient bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-positions content to intermediate devices during non-peak hours when network capacity is available, so that content can be delivered locally during peak demand without consuming constrained network resources. This resolves the contradiction by preparing content in advance when network throughput is sufficient, then serving it locally when service availability is critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate devices (such as set-top boxes or local servers) that act as mediators between the content delivery network and end users. These intermediaries store content locally and serve it during peak times, decoupling the real-time service delivery from the constrained network capacity and thus improving both service availability and preserving network throughput.
2Productivity
If content is pre-positioned to intermediate devices during non-peak hours, then network capacity is utilized more efficiently, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system designs intermediate devices to perform multiple functions: they serve as content storage during non-peak hours, act as local content delivery servers during peak hours, and can also function as regular customer premises equipment. This multi-functionality justifies the added infrastructure by maximizing network capacity utilization across different time periods and operational modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate devices are designed to autonomously manage content pre-positioning based on predicted demand patterns, eliminating the need for complex centralized control systems. The devices automatically receive content during non-peak hours and serve it during peak hours, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high network capacity utilization.
3Ease of operation
If traditional unicast transmission is used for each user request, then content delivery is simple and direct, but network load increases during peak hours reducing overall service quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple unicast transmissions into a single broadcast transmission during non-peak hours when pre-positioning content to intermediate devices. This combining of delivery operations reduces overall network load during peak hours while maintaining simple content delivery mechanisms, thus preserving service quality without sacrificing operational simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes communicating first data to users for real time consumption by the users using a first portion of a system capacity of a system during a first time using a broadcast mode. The system capacity comprises the first portion of a broadcast transmission used for communicating the first data for real time consumption by the users and remnant capacity separate from the first portion of the broadcast transmission for non- real time consumption. The consumption occurs at a same time as when a user requests to consume the first data. The method includes communicating the first data through the communication system to a first device comprising an intermediate data storage device using the remnant capacity of the broadcast transmission during the first time. The first data is communicated using the remnant capacity of the broadcast transmission for non- real time consumption with a user application.