Multicast Manifest Switching for Timely Notification Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current information distribution networks experience congestion and delays when delivering notification messages, such as emergency alerts, due to multiple devices simultaneously attempting to download the messages, which can prevent timely retrieval.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a multicast gateway that joins multicast groups to receive notification messages and modifies manifest files to integrate notification content with program content, allowing seamless distribution and caching of notification messages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple devices simultaneously download notification messages from the server, then notification delivery coverage is improved, but network congestion increases and retrieval reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenotification retrieval reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork congestion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The notification message delivery system is segmented into two distinct pathways: a traditional unicast pathway where each device individually retrieves notifications (causing congestion), and a new multicast pathway where a single notification stream is distributed to multiple devices simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to handle notification delivery by separating the functions of individual retrieval versus group distribution, thereby reducing network congestion while maintaining reliable delivery to all devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the notification delivery function with the existing multicast infrastructure for program content distribution. By combining notification messages with the multicast video stream (multiplexing them onto the same network infrastructure), the system leverages the existing bandwidth and network resources to deliver notifications efficiently to multiple devices simultaneously, avoiding the need for separate unicast notification transmissions that cause congestion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of time

If devices poll the notification server periodically, then notification retrieval timeliness is improved, but network traffic volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenotification retrieval timeVSAvoidnetwork traffic volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by continuously maintaining a multicast stream that includes notification content ready for immediate distribution. Instead of devices having to poll for notifications that may not yet be available, the multicast stream proactively carries notification content as it becomes available, allowing devices to receive notifications instantly when they occur without requiring additional polling traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The multicast notification delivery mechanism establishes a continuous useful action by maintaining an ongoing multicast stream that continuously delivers notifications to all subscribed devices. This continuous stream eliminates the intermittent polling cycles that generate unnecessary network traffic, as devices remain continuously connected to the notification stream without needing to repeatedly query the server for updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If notification messages are distributed via traditional unicast to each device, then delivery simplicity is maintained, but network bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery mechanism complexityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges notification message delivery with the existing multicast video distribution infrastructure. By combining notifications with the video stream on the same network pathway, the system leverages the existing bandwidth allocation and network resources, avoiding the need for separate unicast notification transmissions that would consume additional bandwidth. This merging approach maintains delivery effectiveness while reducing overall network bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multicast stream serves multiple functions simultaneously: it delivers both program content and notification messages through a single transmission pathway. This multi-functionality allows the same network infrastructure and bandwidth to handle both entertainment programming and critical notification delivery, eliminating the need for dedicated notification bandwidth and reducing overall network resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12500962B2Delivering notification information

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 COMCAST CABLE COMM LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems are disclosed for delivery of notification messaging in an IP network. A multicast gateway may receive manifest files and segments of programming content for retrieval by a client device. The multicast gateway may receive segments of a notification message and modify information in the manifest file to reference the notification message content. Upon retrieval of the manifest file by a client device, the client may access the notification message content referenced in the manifest file. The multicast gateway may replace references to programming content with references to notification message content having a corresponding content type.