Automated Video Network Controller with Self-Service Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional video network connection management is inefficient and unreliable, requiring manual phone calls for setup and termination, and lacks customer control over routes and access, leading to suboptimal performance and potential unauthorized access to video content.
Innovation Solution
A computer-controlled method allowing customers to request and manage video connections through a network controller, analyzing available routes based on bandwidth, hops, and port capabilities, enabling automated connection and disconnection, and granting explicit access permissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual phone calls are used to create and terminate video connections, then customer control and automation are reduced, but the system becomes simpler to operate for customers
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables customers to independently manage video connections through automated controllers that allow users to create, modify, and terminate connections without service provider intervention. The controller receives customer requests and automatically establishes connections between specified ports, enabling self-service operation while improving automation.
Solution Approach 2:
An automated controller acts as an intermediary between customers and the video network infrastructure. This intermediary receives customer requests, analyzes routing options, and automatically manages connection establishment and termination, bridging the gap between simple customer interaction and complex network management.
2Productivity
If service providers manually manage all connections, then security and access control are improved, but efficiency and customer control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Customers independently control connection management through automated controllers, eliminating the need for service provider intervention in routine connection establishment. This self-service capability dramatically improves connection setup efficiency while maintaining security through customer-defined access permissions and explicit grant/revoke mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors connection status, bandwidth utilization, and port availability. This real-time feedback enables dynamic routing decisions and automatic connection termination when conditions change, improving both efficiency and reliability through adaptive control.
3Reliability
If multiple routing options are analyzed and selected automatically, then connection optimization is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated controller serves as an intermediary that handles complex routing analysis between customer requests and network infrastructure. It evaluates multiple routing options based on bandwidth availability, port capabilities, and connection requirements, then selects optimal paths without exposing this complexity to customers. This intermediary approach maintains simple customer interaction while achieving reliable optimized connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of available routes and bandwidth conditions before establishing connections. By pre-evaluating routing options and reserving necessary resources in advance, the system ensures reliable connections while managing complexity through proactive planning rather than reactive problem-solving.
4Reliability
If explicit access permissions are required for video content, then security is improved, but ease of access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Customers independently manage access permissions through the automated controller, explicitly granting or revoking access to video content as needed. This self-service approach maintains strong security through customer-controlled permissions while improving ease of access by eliminating the need for service provider intervention in access management.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for allowing customers to control a video network. A network controller receives a request from an end user for a video connection between a first port and a second port. The request may specify at least a start time, an end time, the first port and the second port. A plurality of available routes between the first port and the second port may be analyzed to determine at least one selected route that will be used to connect the first port and the second port. A first command may be sent to automatically connect the first port and the second port via the at least one selected route at the start time. While in progress, the video connection may be modified according to system availability. Customers may have a view of all requests that have been made, completed or reserved for in the future.