IP Multicast Peer-to-Peer Media Streaming System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional broadcast television systems are limited by geographic boundaries, channel count, and high bandwidth requirements, making them inefficient and costly, while existing IP-based video streaming technologies are not cost-effective for serving a large number of viewers with limited bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
A peer-to-peer networking system that uses IP-multicasting and shared bandwidth to deliver media content over the Internet, enabling a global broadcasting service with a control center managing content delivery, encryption, and advertising, and allowing receiving devices to share resources and switch channels quickly, while supporting an unlimited number of channels and viewers with low-cost servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional broadcast television systems are used, then high video quality can be provided, but bandwidth requirements are high and channel count is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broadcast spectrum into multiple virtual channels that can be multiplexed and transmitted over IP networks. Each channel is divided into manageable data streams that can be independently transmitted, allowing multiple channels to share the same physical bandwidth infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional broadcast spectrum utilization to three-dimensional IP network utilization by adding the time dimension through packet switching and multicast protocols. This allows unlimited channels to be created by time-multiplexing content delivery.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional cable or satellite television systems are used, then channel count is limited by bandwidth availability, but the system requires expensive infrastructure construction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses IP multicast to create virtual copies of broadcast channels that can be delivered over existing Internet infrastructure. Instead of building physical cable or satellite infrastructure, the system copies content through software-based multicast protocols that run over standard network hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing Internet infrastructure universal by enabling it to carry multiple television channels simultaneously through IP multicast. The same network hardware and broadband connections used for general Internet access are made to serve as the broadcast distribution system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If IP-based video streaming technology is used, then global accessibility is achieved, but server resource and bandwidth must be dedicated for each viewer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual video streams into a single IP multicast broadcast stream. Instead of serving each viewer individually with separate server connections, the system combines all viewer requests into one unified multicast transmission that is efficiently received by all subscribers simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables viewers to serve themselves by using their own local network bandwidth to receive and distribute content. The IP multicast mechanism allows viewers to act as their own servers by receiving the broadcast stream and re-transmitting it to their local networks, eliminating the need for dedicated server resources for each viewer.
4Device complexity
If a server with limited bandwidth is used, then cost is reduced, but the ability to serve multiple viewers simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic resource sharing where the server's bandwidth capacity is dynamically allocated based on real-time viewer demand and network conditions. The IP multicast system allows the server to efficiently distribute content to unlimited viewers by dynamically routing traffic through intermediate nodes and leveraging peer-to-peer bandwidth sharing.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to methods and systems for broadcasting/multicasting of media content over a communication network using shared bandwidth available from peer-to-peer networking. The system may include one or more servers for delivering media content over the network for one or more media content programs. The media content comprises data packets. The one or more servers may provide IP multicasting information and tracking information for the data packets to all receiving devices requesting the media content. Any receiving devices that request the media content and that one of: (a) fail to subscribe to the IP multicasting channel; or (b) fail to receive all of the data packets for the media content over the IP multicasting channel, may use the tracking information to identify other of the receiving devices that have received the data packets and to request the data packets from at least one of the identified receiving devices.