Multicast Proxy Server Synchronization for Set-Top Box Guide Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing set-top box systems face high bandwidth consumption due to the pull framework, where multiple STBs repeatedly request program guide content from the content server, leading to inefficient bandwidth usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a push framework where a multicast server, acting as a proxy, obtains and stores program guide content from a guide data server and distributes it to STBs using a scheduled push transmission, reducing the need for repeated requests and optimizing bandwidth usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pull framework is used where multiple STBs request program guide content from the content server, then each STB can obtain the requested content, but bandwidth consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual content requests from multiple STBs into a single multicast transmission from the content server. The content server identifies when multiple STBs request the same program guide content and combines these requests into one multicast message that is delivered to all requesting STBs simultaneously, thereby reducing total bandwidth consumption while maintaining the ability for each STB to obtain its requested content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a content server as an intermediary that manages the distribution of program guide content. Instead of allowing direct peer-to-peer requests between STBs and content sources, the content server receives requests from multiple STBs, processes them centrally, and distributes content through efficient multicast mechanisms, thereby optimizing bandwidth usage while preserving STB content access capability.
2Loss of energy
If a push framework is implemented to reduce bandwidth consumption, then bandwidth efficiency improves, but synchronization of content delivery across multiple time zones becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the content server proactively push program guide content to STBs before the STBs would need to request it. The server schedules content delivery in advance, taking into account different time zones and local times of various STBs, so that each STB receives updated content at the appropriate time for its location without needing to make repeated requests or complex synchronization adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the content delivery schedule adaptive to different time zones and local conditions. The content server dynamically adjusts when to push content to different STBs based on their respective time zones and operational schedules, allowing a single push framework to efficiently serve multiple geographic regions with varying time requirements without requiring separate synchronization mechanisms for each zone.
Data Source
AI summary
A guide data server stores program guide content in a memory and transmits the stored content to a multicast server. The multicast server transmits the received content to set top boxes according to three independent time periods. The three time periods include an update blocking time period, a multicast blocking time period, and a normal time period. During the update blocking time period, the multicast server transmits old program guide content to the set top boxes. During the multicast blocking time period, the multicast server (1) performs a one-time request for the new program guide content from the guide data server, and (2) receives new program guide content from the guide data server. During the normal time period, the multicast server receives new program guide content transmitted from the guide data server and transmits the new program guide content to the set top boxes.