Media Protocol for Regional Stream Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communications protocols face challenges in dynamically managing content distribution across networks to meet varying listener demands, leading to inefficient bandwidth utilization and poor user experiences, especially in scenarios like international news video streaming where demand fluctuates by region.

Innovation Solution

A media protocol that dynamically establishes communications between broadcasters, distribution points, and listeners, allowing for the encoding, compression, and strategic distribution of content based on demand, using components like duplicating switches and network processors to optimize stream delivery and configure distribution points for better network utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If content is distributed through a single centralized broadcaster to all listeners, then network infrastructure is simplified, but network utilization becomes inefficient when demand varies by region

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork infrastructure complexityVSAvoidnetwork utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized distribution network into multiple regional distribution points, each serving specific geographic areas. This segmentation allows content to be distributed locally rather than routing all traffic through a single broadcaster, improving network utilization efficiency while maintaining manageable infrastructure complexity through modular regional nodes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a geographic dimension to content distribution by establishing region-specific distribution points. Instead of a flat centralized architecture, the system adds spatial distribution across multiple locations, allowing listeners to connect to the nearest regional node and thereby improving overall network utilization efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If multiple regional distribution points are established to improve network utilization, then network utilization efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork utilization efficiencyVSAvoiddistribution system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each regional distribution point is designed as a universal node capable of performing multiple functions: receiving content from the broadcaster, caching content locally, and distributing to multiple listeners in the region. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized equipment at each location, thereby improving network utilization efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If content is cached at distribution points closer to high-demand areas, then user access speed improves, but bandwidth consumption on long-distance links increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser access speedVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by caching content at regional distribution points specifically in high-demand areas. This allows users in those regions to access content from local caches at high speed, while the system intelligently manages caching strategies to minimize redundant long-distance bandwidth consumption by predicting and pre-caching content based on demand patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If a centralized broadcaster manages all content distribution, then system control is simplified, but adaptability to regional demand variations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem control complexityVSAvoidadaptability to regional demand

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics by enabling regional distribution points to autonomously adapt to local demand conditions. Each distribution point can dynamically adjust its caching strategy, content selection, and distribution patterns based on real-time regional demand variations, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining relatively simple centralized control through standardized protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8977763B1Systems and methods for distributing streams and stream metadata

Publication Date: 2015.03.10 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A broadcaster may be configured to use a media protocol to provide a distribution point with a stream. The broadcaster uses a controller configured to implement the media protocol that includes a message class indicating an applicability of a message to a distribution point. The media protocol includes an authentication message structured and arranged to authenticate an establishment of a stream for distribution on the distribution point, a stream configuration message structured and arranged to configure the stream being distributed on the distribution point, a connection message structured and arranged to distribute the stream, and a stream session termination message structured and arranged to terminate a streaming session that has been established.