IP Multicast Protocol for Efficient Data Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service providers face significant network bandwidth and processing resource challenges when distributing information to multiple customers in a unicast manner, leading to inefficient use of network resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an IP multicast transmission protocol to efficiently distribute data, such as programming guide information, allowing multiple receivers to receive data simultaneously while minimizing network resource usage, and enabling synchronization among client devices within a customer premises.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If unicast transmission is used to distribute data to multiple customers, then each customer receives personalized data delivery, but network bandwidth consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple unicast transmission streams into a single multicast stream by combining data requests from multiple receivers into one group address transmission, thereby reducing network bandwidth consumption while maintaining data delivery capability to multiple customers simultaneously
2Ease of operation
If unicast transmission is used to distribute data to thousands of customers, then individual data delivery is maintained, but processing resources are significantly depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges individual data delivery operations into a unified multicast process where a single transmission serves multiple customers, dramatically improving processing resource efficiency while maintaining the ability to deliver data to thousands of customers simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The multicast transmission mechanism provides universal data delivery capability that serves multiple customers through a single transmission channel, making the system multi-functional in handling both individual and group data distribution needs
3Loss of energy
If multicast transmission is implemented, then network bandwidth efficiency is improved, but synchronization complexity among receivers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having receivers pre-register their data needs and join multicast groups before actual data transmission, establishing synchronization protocols in advance that simplify real-time data receipt while maintaining network bandwidth efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A device may include a communication interface configured to receive programming information and index data associated with the programming information from a service provider multicast over a plurality of channels. The device may also include logic configured to request address information from the service provider, receive the address information, wherein the address information includes a first multicast address, and join a first multicast group corresponding to the first multicast address, wherein the first multicast group is associated with the index data. The logic may also be configured to receive, via the communication interface, the index data, identify a second multicast address associated with at least some of the programming information, join a second multicast group corresponding to the second multicast address, and receive, via the communication interface, at least some of the programming information.