Router Calendar-Based Bandwidth Prioritization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network access management techniques fail to prioritize network access and bandwidth usage when multiple users and devices are simultaneously connected, leading to insufficient resources for critical events.

Innovation Solution

A residential network router accesses a shared electronic calendar to determine events requiring simultaneous network resource usage, prioritizes these events, and allocates available network resources based on assigned priorities, ensuring sufficient bandwidth and latency for high-priority events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If network access management techniques are used to provide network security and bandwidth usage prediction, then network security and service planning are improved, but network access prioritization for multiple simultaneous users and devices is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidnetwork access prioritization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments network traffic into different priority levels by analyzing calendar events and device usage patterns. The system divides bandwidth allocation into multiple tiers (high priority, medium priority, low priority) based on event importance and device criticality, allowing simultaneous optimization for multiple users and devices with different needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation that adjusts network resource distribution in real-time based on changing conditions. The system continuously monitors calendar events, device status, and network usage patterns, then dynamically modifies prioritization rules to adapt to varying user needs and network conditions throughout the day

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If bandwidth is allocated equally among all devices, then simplicity is maintained, but high-priority events receive insufficient network resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth allocation simplicityVSAvoidnetwork resource sufficiency for critical events
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary classification of devices and traffic into priority categories before bandwidth allocation occurs. By pre-defining priority levels based on device criticality and event importance, the system establishes a ready-made framework that guides real-time bandwidth distribution without requiring complex calculations during active network usage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables devices to self-identify their priority level through calendar integration and usage pattern analysis. Devices automatically register their event schedules and importance levels with the network router, which then autonomously assigns appropriate bandwidth priorities without manual user intervention or complex administrative configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If network resources are allocated based on device connection order, then implementation complexity is reduced, but network experience optimization for simultaneous users is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveallocation algorithm complexityVSAvoidnetwork experience optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network router continuously monitors actual network usage patterns, bandwidth consumption, and application performance metrics. This feedback information is used to refine and adjust prioritization rules, allowing the system to learn from actual usage and optimize bandwidth allocation over time based on real-world performance data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the allocation parameter from simple connection order to a multi-dimensional priority score based on event importance, device criticality, and real-time network conditions. By transforming the allocation decision from a single-parameter (connection sequence) to a multi-parameter evaluation system, the patent achieves sophisticated network experience optimization while maintaining manageable complexity through automated scoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4197171B1System, method, and computer program for network experience optimization using a home network router
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 AMDOCS DEV LTD
  • EP4197171B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4197171B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4197171B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

As described herein, a system, method, and computer program are provided for network experience optimization using a residential network router. In use, an electronic calendar is accessed by a residential network router. Additionally, the residential network router determines a plurality of events saved to the electronic calendar, wherein the plurality of events require, at least in part, simultaneous network resource (e.g. bandwidth) usage. Further, the plurality of events are prioritized, using the residential network router. Still yet, available network resources are assigned among the plurality of events, using the residential network router, based on the prioritization.