Satellite Multicast Content Delivery for Seagoing Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distributing audio and video programming content to seagoing vessels in international waters is not economically viable due to high costs associated with conventional methods, as the number of potential users is small and dispersed, making it unprofitable for vessel operators to pay for high-cost point-to-point communication services.
Innovation Solution
Delivering programming content via previously deployed satellite networks by opportunistically using excess network capacity through multicast transmissions, allowing data to be sent over a period of time, thereby reducing infrastructure investment and costs, and enabling storage and playback on onboard servers for immediate access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If point-to-point communication is used to deliver programming content to seagoing vessels, then content delivery is possible, but the cost becomes prohibitively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple content delivery operations into a single multicast transmission. Instead of establishing separate point-to-point connections for each vessel, the system merges all delivery requests into one collective broadcast stream, thereby dramatically reducing total transmission costs while maintaining reliable content delivery to multiple vessels simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The multicast transmission mechanism serves multiple vessels with multiple content delivery requests through a single universal transmission channel. This multi-functional approach allows the same infrastructure to serve numerous vessels without requiring dedicated point-to-point connections for each vessel, reducing overall system cost while maintaining delivery capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If satellite networks are deployed to cover all ocean regions, then content can be delivered to dispersed vessels, but infrastructure investment becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning content on land-based servers before multicast transmission. Content is prepared and staged in advance, allowing the actual satellite transmission to occur only when vessels are within coverage areas, thereby avoiding the need for permanent infrastructure deployment across all ocean regions while maintaining global adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of deploying satellite infrastructure to cover 100% of ocean regions continuously, the system uses partial coverage by transmitting content only when vessels are within available satellite coverage areas. This approach achieves practical global versatility over time without the excessive infrastructure investment required for continuous universal coverage
3Quantity of substance
If conventional mass communications media are used, then content can reach large populations, but seagoing vessels in international waters are excluded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends content distribution from traditional two-dimensional terrestrial/cable networks into the third dimension of satellite space communication. By adding this dimensional layer, the system maintains the ability to serve large numbers of users through multicast while simultaneously expanding coverage to include remote seagoing vessels in international waters that were previously unreachable
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for delivering programming content to vehicles (e.g., seagoing vessels) in a cost-effective manner. In some embodiments, programming content may be delivered to vehicles over previously deployed networks (e.g., satellite networks), using excess network capacity which may not otherwise be used to deliver data. By opportunistically employing excess network capacity (e.g., as the capacity becomes available), data constituting programming content may be delivered to vehicles over a period of time, such as via multicast transmission. A vehicle may store received data on one or more onboard servers. After an item of programming content has been received, the item may be made accessible to the vehicle's crew and/or passengers, such as by streaming the item to one or more suitably configured playback devices. Content may be served to playback devices “on demand” and/or according to a programming schedule.