Spectrum Generation Device for HFC Network Content Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current content delivery networks face challenges in efficiently distributing narrowcast services due to complex and inflexible infrastructure, which hinders the addition of new services, increases maintenance costs, and limits service velocity, making it difficult to adapt to changing subscriber demands and technological advancements.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a network architecture that uses spectrum generation devices to transform digital content from one domain to another, enabling adaptive routing and remote reconfiguration, thereby simplifying infrastructure and supporting flexible service delivery without the need for extensive rewiring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional cable network delivery services are used to broadcast content to a large audience, then content distribution coverage is improved, but the ability to efficiently distribute narrowcast services to targeted consumers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent distribution coverageVSAvoidnarrowcast service distribution efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the content distribution process into broadcast content delivery to headends and narrowcast content delivery to service groups. Headends receive broadcast content and selectively distribute narrowcast content to specific service groups based on subscriber requests, enabling efficient targeted delivery without compromising overall broadcast coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic content selection at headends where the system can adaptively choose which narrowcast content to distribute to which service groups based on real-time subscriber requests. This dynamic approach allows the network to optimize narrowcast delivery efficiency while maintaining broadcast coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If cable networks transition to digital content and narrowcast services, then service versatility is improved, but network topology complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenarrowcast service supportVSAvoidnetwork topology

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes headends universal by enabling them to perform multiple functions: receiving broadcast content, selecting narrowcast content, and distributing to specific service groups. This multi-functionality at headends simplifies the overall network topology by consolidating what would otherwise require complex distributed infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces service groups as intermediary entities between broadcast content sources and individual subscribers. Service groups aggregate subscribers with similar content needs, allowing headends to simplify content selection and distribution logic while maintaining service versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing cable network infrastructure is used for narrowcast content insertion, then service delivery capability is improved, but maintenance difficulty deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenarrowcast content insertionVSAvoidnetwork maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses software-based content selection and distribution mechanisms that can be remotely configured without physical network changes. Headends can be remotely programmed to select and distribute different narrowcast content to different service groups, eliminating the need for complex physical reconfiguration and reducing maintenance difficulty

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Reliability

If traditional network infrastructure is used, then current service support is maintained, but service velocity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent service supportVSAvoidservice implementation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic content selection and distribution at headends that can be remotely reconfigured. New narrowcast services can be quickly added by programming headends to select and distribute new content to appropriate service groups, dramatically increasing service velocity while maintaining reliable support for existing services

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11153622B2Digital domain content processing and distribution apparatus and methods

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for distributing content using a spectrum generation device. In one embodiment, digital content is received via a time-multiplexed network transport (such as Gigabit Ethernet), and converted to frequency channels suitable for transmission over a content distribution (e.g., Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC)) network. In one variant, the conversion is performed using digital domain processing performed by a full spectrum generation device. Additionally, methods and apparatus for selectively adding, removing, and/or changing digital content from the full spectrum device are also disclosed. Various aspects of the present invention enable physical (infrastructure) consolidation, and software-implemented remote management of content distribution.