Multimedia Streaming Network Apparatus with Hardware Offload

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multimedia streaming and network apparatuses are costly and space-consuming due to the need for separate devices, and integrated devices fail to provide both multicast and hardware offload functions effectively, leading to increased processor computation and multicast packet reception issues.

Innovation Solution

A multimedia streaming and network apparatus that integrates a router module, storage module, and processing module, enabling simultaneous multicast and hardware offload functions through a router module with WAN, LAN, and processing module ports, and utilizing a multicast control layer and STB virtual machine to manage and process video streams efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate network apparatus and multimedia streaming apparatus are disposed, then network access and video stream processing functions are provided, but cost and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction integrationVSAvoiddevice space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines network apparatus and multimedia streaming apparatus into a single integrated device. The router module integrates network interface cards for both WAN and LAN connections, while the processing module handles both network packet routing and video stream processing tasks, eliminating the need for separate physical devices and reducing space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The processing module serves multiple functions: it processes network packets for routing decisions, handles video stream decoding and processing, and manages multicast packet reception. This multi-functional design allows a single apparatus to perform what previously required separate specialized devices, reducing both cost and space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If compound device integrates network apparatus and multimedia streaming apparatus, then cost and space are reduced, but multicast function and hardware offload function cannot be provided simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction integrationVSAvoidmulticast and hardware offload capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the processing module into specialized units: a network packet processing unit for handling routing and multicast packets, and a video stream processing unit for decoding and processing. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function, enabling simultaneous multicast reception and hardware offload capabilities within the integrated apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a multicast control layer as an intermediary component that coordinates between the network interface card and the processing module. This mediator manages multicast packet reception, activates hardware offload functions when appropriate, and ensures proper packet routing, thereby enabling both multicast and hardware offload functions to operate simultaneously without conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If compound device integrates network apparatus and multimedia streaming apparatus, then cost and space are reduced, but processor computation amount greatly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction integrationVSAvoidprocessor computation load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces software-based network packet processing with dedicated hardware components. The network interface card includes hardware for packet filtering, multicast packet reception, and basic routing decisions. This hardware substitution offloads computation-intensive tasks from the general-purpose processor, reducing its computation load and energy consumption while maintaining the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary filtering and processing of network packets at the network interface card level before they reach the processing module. Multicast packets are identified and routed at the hardware level, and video stream packets are pre-processed for decoding. This preliminary action reduces the computation burden on the main processor by handling routine tasks in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3609151B1Multimedia streaming and network apparatus and operation method of the same

Publication Date: 2024.03.13 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

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AI summary

A multimedia streaming and network apparatus is provided that includes a router module, a storage module and a processing module for executing the application program in the storage module to perform the multimedia streaming and network apparatus operation method. A first streaming request packet corresponding to a physical STB is received through a LAN port. A multicast and hardware offload function corresponding to the LAN port is activated. A STB virtual machine is operated to perform a STB function. A second streaming request packet corresponding to the STB virtual machine is received. A multicast and hardware offload function corresponding to the processing module port is activated. A video stream from a remote server is transmitted by the router module through the LAN port and the processing module port respectively to the physical STB and the STB virtual machine to be processed and playback.