Set-Top Box Bandwidth Management via Dynamic User Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

As communication technology advances and bandwidth usage grows due to complex device features, managing bandwidth effectively across various devices in communication networks becomes challenging, especially with varying bandwidth requirements for activities like high-definition video streaming.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where customer premises equipment, such as set-top boxes, can transmit bandwidth usage data to a network device, allowing users to select and adjust bandwidth limits based on user profiles and historical data, with the network device nearest to the equipment adjusting the limits accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If bandwidth limits are set for customer premises equipment, then network congestion is reduced, but user flexibility and adaptability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork congestionVSAvoidbandwidth flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic bandwidth adjustment by allowing users to modify bandwidth limits in real-time based on current network conditions and user needs. The system transitions from static pre-configured limits to dynamic user-adjustable limits, enabling adaptability while maintaining congestion control through the framework of adjustable parameters rather than fixed constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables parameter changes by allowing users to modify bandwidth limit values according to their specific needs and network conditions. The bandwidth limit is treated as a configurable parameter rather than a fixed value, providing flexibility while maintaining the structural framework for congestion management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If users can adjust bandwidth limits freely, then user flexibility is improved, but network performance and reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth flexibilityVSAvoidnetwork performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system monitors network conditions and user bandwidth usage patterns, then presents informed adjustment options to users. This feedback loop ensures that bandwidth adjustments are made with awareness of current network state, preventing actions that would severely impact network performance while maintaining user flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of network conditions and user historical usage patterns before presenting bandwidth adjustment options. By preparing and evaluating potential adjustment scenarios in advance, the system guides users toward choices that maintain network reliability while achieving user flexibility goals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8756639B2Apparatus and method for managing a network

Publication Date: 2014.06.17 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to present bandwidth adjustments options for customer premises equipment comprising the set top box where the bandwidth adjustments options include a bandwidth limit for the customer premises equipment, receive a selection of the bandwidth adjustments options, and transmit the selection of the bandwidth adjustments options to a network device for adjusting the bandwidth limit for the customer premises equipment. Other embodiments are disclosed.