Conditional Bandwidth Re-negotiation for IPTV Channel Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bandwidth reservation methods in IPTV systems cause processing delays and unnecessary re-negotiations when users switch between channels with different bandwidth requirements, leading to poor user experience and inefficient resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

A conditional bandwidth re-negotiation method that postpones the decision to re-negotiate bandwidth during channel switches, using a timer-based approach to determine when re-negotiations are necessary, reducing the number of re-negotiations and allowing for better resource allocation control by the IPTV operator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bandwidth re-negotiation is performed immediately upon channel switch request, then bandwidth reservation is ensured for the new channel, but processing delays occur and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth reservationVSAvoidprocessing delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by evaluating bandwidth requirements and preparing re-negotiation parameters before the actual channel switch occurs. This allows the re-negotiation process to be initiated in advance, reducing the perceived delay for the user while ensuring bandwidth is reserved when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the timing and necessity of bandwidth re-negotiation based on real-time conditions. By implementing a timer mechanism and evaluating whether the new channel actually requires different bandwidth, the system optimizes the re-negotiation process - performing it only when necessary and at the most appropriate moment, thus balancing reliability with minimal delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If bandwidth re-negotiation is performed for every channel switch, then adequate bandwidth is guaranteed, but unnecessary re-negotiations increase processing overhead and reduce system efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth guaranteeVSAvoidsystem efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by treating each channel switch individually - evaluating whether re-negotiation is actually necessary for that specific transition. Instead of a blanket re-negotiation policy, the system locally assesses bandwidth requirements and only triggers re-negotiation when the new channel's requirements differ from the current allocation, thus maintaining reliability while improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system discards unnecessary re-negotiation operations by evaluating whether they are truly needed. When a channel switch occurs but the bandwidth requirements remain satisfied by the current allocation, the system discards the re-negotiation action entirely, avoiding unnecessary processing overhead while still guaranteeing adequate bandwidth when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Loss of time

If bandwidth re-negotiation is delayed or postponed, then processing delays are reduced and user experience improves, but bandwidth reservation may not be ensured timely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing delayVSAvoidbandwidth reservation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring channel switch requests, evaluating bandwidth requirements, and using timer-based delays to determine the optimal moment for re-negotiation. This feedback loop ensures that re-negotiation is postponed only as long as necessary to improve user experience, while still guaranteeing that bandwidth is reserved in a timely manner when the new channel requires different resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If multiple bandwidth re-negotiations are performed in succession during channel switching, then bandwidth is continuously optimized, but network resources are consumed excessively and resource allocation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth optimizationVSAvoidnetwork resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by performing bandwidth re-negotiation only to the extent necessary - only when the new channel's bandwidth requirements differ from the current allocation. This avoids excessive re-negotiation actions while still achieving the necessary bandwidth optimization, thereby reducing network resource consumption without compromising service quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2291973B1A method and a user equipment for reserving bandwidth

Publication Date: 2018.01.10 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

At a user equipment a conditional bandwidth renegotiation method is provided for managing bandwidth renegotiations when the user equipment is engaged in an IPTV session with an IPTV network and a channel switch has been requested. When it is determined that the requested channel requires less bandwidth than the presently selected channel, a conditional bandwidth re-negotiation process is initiated wherein, upon having switched to the requested channel, a timer is started. If, a timeout of the pending timer is recognised prior to another channel switch request, a bandwidth re-negotiation procedure is initiated, while no bandwidth re-negotiation is to be executed if another channel switch request is recognised prior to timeout of the pending timer.