Adaptive Bit Rate Manifest Policy Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing content delivery networks face challenges in efficiently controlling and managing the delivery of Adaptive Bit Rate (ABR) content, particularly in scenarios where data rate throttling is necessary to prevent network congestion.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method and apparatus for receiving ABR content, which involves receiving an ABR manifest describing content segments and specifying policies with associated data transfer rules, and requesting content segments from a content delivery network based on the identified policy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data rate throttling is applied to prevent network congestion, then network stability is improved, but content delivery speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork stabilityVSAvoidcontent delivery speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the data rate for content delivery based on network conditions and policy requirements. The ABR manifest contains multiple representations with different bitrates, and the system can switch between them dynamically to balance network stability and delivery speed according to current conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of data rate by providing multiple representations of content at different bitrates in the ABR manifest. This allows the system to select appropriate bitrate parameters based on network conditions and policy requirements, resolving the contradiction between stability and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple policies with different data transfer rules are implemented, then adaptability to different network conditions is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to network conditionsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ABR manifest is segmented to include multiple policies with different data transfer rules, each applicable to specific network conditions. This segmentation allows the device to select the appropriate policy segment based on current conditions, improving adaptability while managing complexity through modular organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple policies and their associated data transfer rules are pre-configured in the ABR manifest before content delivery. This preliminary action allows the device to simply select from pre-defined policies rather than making complex decisions in real-time, reducing device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3729814B1Method and apparatus for receiving adaptive bit rate content and manifest for adaptive bit rate content

Publication Date: 2025.04.09 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

Methods and apparatus are provided for content delivery. In one aspect, a method in a device of receiving Adaptive Bit Rate (ABR) content comprises receiving an ABR manifest associated with the content, the ABR manifest describing segments of content and specifying a plurality of policies and respective associated data transfer rules, receiving an indication identifying one of the policies, and requesting segments of the content from a content delivery network in accordance with the content delivery rules associated with the policy identified by the indication.