Unidirectional Network Bandwidth Optimization for Digital Content
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current VOD systems require a heavy and costly network architecture, limiting access to additional digital content, especially for large-size multimedia files, and are not optimized for unidirectional networks like digital terrestrial or satellite television, where bandwidth is not efficiently utilized.
Innovation Solution
The method leverages unused bandwidth in the network for broadcasting additional digital content, allowing it to be transmitted independently of primary data broadcasts, without requiring a dedicated channel or user request, and adapts to available bandwidth by adjusting transmission rates and schedules, enabling efficient distribution across multiple channels and sub-networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If VOD systems use traditional point-to-point transmissions for additional digital content, then users can access multimedia content, but the network architecture becomes heavy and costly, limiting access to large cities only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transmission of primary data (television programs) and additional digital content (multimedia files) into a single network infrastructure. By merging these two functions into one broadcast system, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated channels for VOD content, thereby simplifying the network architecture while maintaining access to additional digital content across the entire service area, not just large cities.
Solution Approach 2:
The broadcast network is designed to perform multiple functions: transmitting both primary television programs and additional digital multimedia content through the same infrastructure. This multi-functional approach allows the network to serve diverse purposes without requiring separate specialized systems, reducing overall complexity and expanding access to additional content throughout the service region.
2Reliability
If VOD systems allocate dedicated channels for additional digital content, then content transmission is reliable, but bandwidth is wasted during periods of low demand
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the allocation of bandwidth for additional digital content based on real-time network conditions and user demand. When demand is high, more bandwidth is allocated to content transmission; when demand is low, bandwidth is reduced or reallocated. This dynamic approach maintains reliable content delivery when needed while avoiding the waste of dedicating fixed bandwidth that would remain underutilized during low-demand periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of bandwidth allocation from a static, dedicated channel assignment to a variable parameter that adjusts according to network conditions and content demand. This allows the system to maintain transmission reliability by allocating sufficient bandwidth when content is being requested, while optimizing resource utilization by reducing or暂停 allocation when demand is low, thereby preventing bandwidth waste.
3Speed
If the network broadcasts additional digital content at high rates, then content is delivered quickly to receivers, but the transmission network becomes saturated
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements content delivery at variable rates based on available network capacity rather than always operating at maximum speed. By applying partial action (delivering content at moderate rates when bandwidth is constrained) rather than excessive action (always maximizing delivery rate), the system achieves acceptable content delivery speed while preventing network saturation and maintaining overall network stability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic monitoring of network conditions and adjusts content broadcast rates accordingly. Rather than maintaining a constant high delivery rate that would saturate the network, the system periodically assesses available bandwidth and modulates the content delivery rate to match current capacity, ensuring fast delivery when possible while preventing network overload and maintaining stability.
4Device complexity
If unidirectional networks are used for digital terrestrial or satellite television, then network simplicity is maintained, but bandwidth is not efficiently utilized for additional content
Solution Approach 1:
The unidirectional broadcast network is enhanced to automatically identify and utilize its own unused bandwidth capacity for transmitting additional digital content. The system monitors network traffic patterns and self-adjusts by allocating idle bandwidth resources to content delivery without requiring complex bidirectional communication or manual intervention, thereby maintaining network simplicity while significantly improving bandwidth utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the utilization parameter of the unidirectional network from transmitting only primary television programs to dynamically allocating bandwidth between primary programs and additional digital content. By modifying how the existing network parameters are used rather than changing the network structure itself, the system achieves efficient bandwidth utilization for multiple content types while preserving the simplicity of the unidirectional architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of disseminating digital content within a unidirectional data transmission network, in particular video, the network preferably being a digital terrestrial television or satellite television network, the network comprising a transmitting system and a plurality of receivers, the digital content comprising primary data transmitted with a variable amount temporarily freeing up bandwidth, a method in which additional digital content is transmitted from the transmitting system to at least one receiver using at least some of the temporarily freed-up bandwidth and in which said content is stored locally in at least one receiver.