Set-Top Box Presence Detection Bandwidth Conservation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The communications industry faces challenges in conserving bandwidth, particularly with 'always on' set-top boxes that continue to consume network bandwidth even when no one is watching, leading to wasted resources.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a presence detection system that accumulates user interface inputs, compares them to historical patterns, and adjusts data stream resolution or termination based on user presence, reducing bandwidth consumption by delivering full-resolution data only when the user is present and degrading or terminating the stream when they are not.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the set-top box remains powered on and tuned to a channel continuously, then the user can immediately watch content when present, but bandwidth is wasted when no one is watching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmediate content availabilityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the data stream characteristics based on detected user presence. When presence is detected, full-resolution content is delivered; when absence is detected, the stream is degraded to lower resolution or terminated, optimizing bandwidth usage while maintaining service readiness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses local presence detection capabilities (sensors, user interface inputs) to automatically determine whether to maintain or reduce bandwidth allocation, eliminating the need for continuous manual user input or external monitoring while optimizing resource allocation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the set-top box continuously receives full-resolution content, then quality of service is maintained, but network bandwidth is inefficiently utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of serviceVSAvoidbandwidth utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes key parameters of the data stream (resolution, bit rate, frame rate) based on presence detection results. Full-resolution streams are maintained only when users are present, while degraded or terminated streams are used when absent, thereby improving overall bandwidth utilization efficiency without compromising service quality when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the data stream is degraded to conserve bandwidth, then bandwidth consumption is reduced, but the resolution of the stream is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth consumptionVSAvoidstream resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts stream resolution based on real-time presence detection. Full resolution is maintained when users are present, while degradation to lower resolution occurs only when absence is detected, making the resolution trade-off conditional and context-appropriate rather than constant

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8701148B2Methods, systems, and devices for bandwidth conservation

Publication Date: 2014.04.15 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for conserving bandwidth. Inputs to a user interface are accumulated and compared to a historical pattern of inputs. When inputs are accumulated, the method predicts that a user is present. When inputs are expected, but no inputs are received, then the method predicts that no user is present. Actions are them implemented to and conserve bandwidth.