Stream Reservation Class Converter for Audio Video Interoperability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing networks face challenges in processing high traffic class audio/video data due to latency requirements, as not all listener nodes have the necessary performance to handle such data, leading to interoperability issues between nodes with different traffic classes.

Innovation Solution

A network device intercepts data packets of a higher traffic class and converts them into packets of a lower traffic class, enabling interoperability between nodes with different Quality of Service (QoS) requirements by satisfying latency thresholds, allowing higher traffic class data to be processed by nodes designed for lower classes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If data packets of higher traffic class are transmitted to ensure low latency audio/video streaming, then latency requirement is satisfied, but listener node processing capability becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidlistener node processing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network device acts as an intermediary between the talker and listener, intercepting data packets of the first traffic class and converting them into packets of the second traffic class. This mediator resolves the contradiction by transforming the traffic class designation so that listeners with lower processing capability can handle the data without experiencing latency issues, as the conversion maintains the deterministic timing characteristics while adapting to the listener's capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the traffic class parameter of the data packets from the first traffic class to the second traffic class. By modifying this classification parameter, the system enables listeners with different processing capabilities to appropriately handle the audio/video data while maintaining the required latency performance, thus resolving the mismatch between high latency requirements and limited listener processing power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If nodes with different traffic classes are integrated in the network to improve adaptability, then interoperability is enhanced, but traffic class compatibility becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoidtraffic class compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network device serves as a mediator that enables compatibility between nodes of different traffic classes. By intercepting and converting traffic class designations, it allows listeners of the second traffic class to process data originally intended for the first traffic class, thus achieving interoperability while maintaining traffic class compatibility through deterministic timing relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The network device provides universal functionality by handling traffic class conversion between multiple traffic classes. This multi-functionality enables the system to accommodate diverse listener capabilities within the same network, allowing a single infrastructure to support both high-performance and legacy devices without compromising compatibility or interoperability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If legacy devices are integrated into existing networks to improve adaptability, then device compatibility is enhanced, but QoS requirement satisfaction becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidQoS requirement satisfaction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network device acts as an intermediary that enables legacy devices (second traffic class listeners) to receive and process audio/video data from modern sources (first traffic class talkers). By converting the traffic class designation in intercepted packets, it allows legacy devices to handle the data while maintaining deterministic timing relationships, thus satisfying QoS requirements even though the listener has lower processing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the traffic class parameter to enable legacy device compatibility. By transforming packets from the first traffic class to the second traffic class, the system allows legacy devices to process the data appropriately while maintaining the deterministic timing characteristics required for audio/video streaming, thus satisfying QoS requirements across different device generations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3264725B1Stream reservation class converter
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYST GMBH
  • EP3264725B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3264725B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

There is provided a network device for processing data packets transmitted between nodes of a network, the network device to intercept data packets of a first traffic class transmitted by a first network node and addressed to a second network node, convert the intercepted data packets into data packets of a second traffic class, and transmit the converted data packets to the second network node.