RF Signal Capture via IP Conversion for Mobile Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional content broadcast systems are complex and expensive, limiting their availability and functionality, especially when trying to make content accessible on mobile devices through network streaming.
Innovation Solution
A content distribution system that includes a capture management module and a distribution management module, implemented partially in hardware, captures and streams radio frequency signals over the internet using IP format, allowing content to be accessed on various devices via network streaming protocols, with redundancy and error correction mechanisms for robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional content broadcast systems use specialized hardware to stream content over network, then content delivery capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses software-based virtualization to create virtual copies of broadcast capture functionality on general-purpose devices. Instead of requiring specialized hardware, the system captures broadcast signals using standard device components (tuners, antennas) and processes them through software modules that replicate professional broadcast equipment functionality, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining content delivery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces specialized mechanical/broadcast hardware systems with software-based processing on general-purpose devices. The capture management module and distribution management module use software algorithms to perform functions traditionally requiring dedicated broadcast equipment, substituting complex hardware mechanisms with programmable software solutions that run on standard mobile phones and tablets
2Reliability
If conventional content broadcast systems use specialized hardware systems, then content streaming quality is improved, but cost and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables general-purpose devices to perform multiple functions - capturing broadcast signals, processing content, and distributing streams - using the same hardware components. The mobile device's existing processor, memory, and communication interfaces are utilized for broadcast capture and streaming, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment and thereby reducing system cost while maintaining streaming quality through efficient software optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs software modules that can be rapidly deployed and updated on inexpensive general-purpose devices rather than relying on expensive specialized hardware. The virtualized capture and distribution functionality can be implemented as software applications that run on affordable mobile devices, reducing the overall system cost while maintaining reliable content delivery through software-based error correction and quality management
3Reliability
If conventional systems use dedicated delivery infrastructure, then content broadcast reliability is improved, but availability to mobile devices decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the broadcast delivery function into separate software modules - a capture management module for signal acquisition and a distribution management module for content delivery - that can operate independently on different devices. This segmentation allows the system to capture signals using one device while distributing content to multiple mobile devices simultaneously, thereby increasing device availability while maintaining broadcast reliability through distributed processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a software-based intermediary layer (the distribution management module) that mediates between the broadcast signal source and various mobile client devices. This intermediary processes and adapts the content stream, enabling reliable delivery across diverse device types and networks without requiring each device to have specialized broadcast capabilities, thereby expanding device availability while maintaining delivery reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Content capture and distribution systems and techniques are described. In an example, radio frequency signals that carry content are captured by one or more antennas of a content capture system. The content is converted from radio frequency signals the carry the content into an internet protocol format by the content capture system. The converted content is transmitted by the content capture system via a network transfer protocol (e.g., HTTP) for receipt by a content distribution system via a network. The converted content is configured by the content distribution system for streaming via a network streaming protocol. The content is then streamed by the content distribution system via the network using the network streaming protocol for receipt and rendering by at least one client device.