Net-Aware Service for Unified Modulator Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional media distribution nodes face challenges in controlling modulators of different makes and models due to disparate hardware and software, leading to increased complexity and bandwidth consumption, especially in systems with multiple nodes and modulators.
Innovation Solution
A net-aware service that uses a single set of control commands to manage operations across multiple modulators, including those of different makes and models, through a graphical user interface (GUI) controller, which interprets and updates control parameters, initiates content streaming, and monitors performance data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If per-modulator control methods are used for disparate hardware modulators, then each modulator can be controlled individually, but the system complexity and bandwidth consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control interface that can manage multiple modulators from different manufacturers through a single standardized protocol. The system uses a common command structure that translates to modulator-specific operations, allowing one control mechanism to serve multiple diverse modulator types without requiring separate control systems for each hardware variant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control layer between the centralized controller and individual modulators. This intermediary translates standardized control commands into modulator-specific operations, acting as a mediator that handles the complexity of disparate hardware interfaces while presenting a unified control interface to the user.
2Adaptability or versatility
If per-modulator control methods are used for disparate hardware modulators, then each modulator can be controlled individually, but the bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control operations for multiple modulators into a single centralized control interface. Instead of requiring separate control sessions and data transmissions for each modulator, the system combines control commands and consolidates communication channels, reducing redundant bandwidth consumption while maintaining the ability to control diverse modulator types.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal control interface enables a single communication channel to handle control operations for multiple different modulator types, reducing the need for multiple specialized control channels and thereby decreasing overall bandwidth consumption.
3Reliability
If multiple control interfaces are used for different modulators, then each modulator type can be controlled optimally, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary control layer translates simple, standardized user commands into modulator-specific control operations. This mediator handles the complexity of different modulator interfaces internally, allowing users to operate all modulators through a simple unified interface without needing to understand or manually configure modulator-specific parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control system into two distinct layers: a simple user-facing interface layer and a complex modulator-specific execution layer. This segmentation allows the interface to remain simple and easy to operate while the underlying segmentation handles the complexity of different modulator types through automated translation and adaptation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A method includes receiving a first control command including a value for a first control parameter. The method further includes determining an association between the first control command and an identifier of the first control parameter. The method also includes identifying a graphical user interface (GUI) tool and information of the GUI tool based on the identifier of the first control parameter. The method includes launching a GUI that includes the GUI tool. The method further includes updating the first control parameter using the GUI tool based on the information of the GUI tool and the value for the first control parameter. The method also includes initiating content streaming using a first modulator in response to updating the first control parameter. The method includes identifying performance data for the first modulator associated with the content streaming. The method further includes sending the performance data to a server via the network.