Multicast Network Bandwidth Reduction via Geofenced User Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multicast communication in large groups can overwhelm networks, leading to congestion and potential failure, as unnecessary messages clog the system and increase bandwidth usage.
Innovation Solution
A system that assigns a unique identifier to multicast communications, determines the physical location of users, and groups them into sub-groups within predefined radii (geofences) to limit message distribution only to relevant users, thereby reducing bandwidth and processor usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multicast communication is used to transmit messages to large groups of users, then message distribution efficiency is improved, but network bandwidth usage increases and network congestion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large multicast group into multiple sub-groups based on geographic locations (e.g., different floors, buildings, or regions). Each sub-group receives messages separately through dedicated communication channels, preventing all messages from traversing the entire network and reducing overall bandwidth consumption while maintaining efficient distribution within each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements location-aware message routing where messages are transmitted only to relevant geographic areas rather than broadcasting to all users. For example, messages intended for a specific floor or building are routed only to that location, reducing unnecessary network traffic in other areas while maintaining efficient local distribution.
2Loss of information
If messages are transmitted to all users in the multicast group, then complete information delivery is achieved, but unnecessary messages clog the network and increase bandwidth usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent filters messages based on recipient location and message relevance. Only users within the appropriate geographic scope receive specific messages, eliminating unnecessary traffic while ensuring all relevant users receive complete information. The system determines which sub-groups should receive which messages based on location data and message context.
3Productivity
If conventional methods create copies of messages in routers and switches, then message delivery to destination computers is improved, but extra work is created for network devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs message filtering and routing decisions at the application layer before messages enter the network infrastructure. The system pre-determines which sub-groups receive which messages based on location data, so that routers and switches only need to forward messages to predefined destinations without performing complex filtering or copying operations, reducing their processing workload.
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, a system for reducing bandwidth usage is disclosed. The system comprises a computer server that receives a request to initiate a multicast communication over a computer network and a computer readable medium comprising instructions that perform a method when executed by the centralized computer server. The method comprises initiating a multicast communication and assigning a unique identifier to the multicast communication. A set of messages associated with the unique identifier is received. If it is determined that a number of messages is greater than a pre-determined number of messages, determining a location of each of the users and grouping the users into a first group and into a second group where the first group are all located within a pre-defined radius based on a first determined location and the second group are all located within a pre-defined radius based on a second determined location.