Multicast Update Delivery Offloading Cellular Traffic

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current firmware update methods for mobile devices, such as FOTA, increase network traffic load due to unicast transmission, which is exacerbated by growing data-rich services, lacking a convenient means to deliver updates and content without taxing limited bandwidth resources.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a device management platform that facilitates IP multicast transmission for delivering update data and content, offloading traffic from cellular networks to internet service providers, using a device management platform that manages the update process from start to finish, including residential gateways and carousel devices for efficient data distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If unicast transmission is used to deliver update data to each mobile device, then each device receives its update reliably, but network traffic load increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate delivery reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork traffic load

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple unicast transmission streams into a single multicast transmission stream. Instead of sending separate update data streams to each mobile device individually, the system combines all update deliveries into one multicast stream that can be received by multiple devices simultaneously, thereby reducing network traffic load while maintaining delivery reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multicast transmission mechanism provides universal service to multiple mobile devices through a single transmission channel. The update data delivery system is designed to serve multiple devices with the same update simultaneously, making the transmission system multi-functional rather than dedicated to individual devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If more user devices are added to the network, then network coverage and service reach increase, but network bandwidth resources are taxed more heavily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines update deliveries to multiple devices into single multicast transmissions, allowing the network to support more devices without proportionally increasing bandwidth consumption. Each multicast stream can serve multiple devices simultaneously, enabling network coverage expansion without linearly increasing bandwidth usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If FOTA update procedure is implemented, then remote device updates are enabled, but network load increases due to direct transmission through service provider network

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote update capabilityVSAvoidservice provider network load

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces multicast groups and multicast transmission as an intermediary mechanism between the update source and individual mobile devices. Instead of direct unicast transmissions through the service provider network, updates are delivered via multicast groups that act as intermediaries, reducing the load on the service provider's core network while maintaining remote update capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9094801B2Method and system for enabling multicast distribution of mobile device update data

Publication Date: 2015.07.28 CELLCO PARTNERSHIP INC

AI summary

An approach for enabling load efficient delivery of updates and other content to mobile devices is described. A device management platform determines to communicate with a mobile device configured to operate over a cellular network and a local area network, wherein the local area network includes a customer premise gateway. The device management platform also initiates establishment of a multicast session with the mobile device via the customer premise gateway and over the local area network.