Accelerated Channel Change via Burst and Join Interval Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional systems for delivering digital media over networks face delays in channel changes due to buffering requirements, and existing Accelerated Channel Change (ACC) strategies can overburden communication channels, leading to poor media quality and stream drops, especially in rate-limited environments.
Innovation Solution
A method that delivers resource information using a first delivery technique at above-nominal data rates during an initial burst, followed by a join interval at join interval data rates, and then switches to a second delivery technique, while responding to requests for missed packets, thereby maintaining bandwidth within prescribed limits and preventing channel over-saturation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If ACC strategies deliver initial burst at above-nominal data rates, then channel change speed is improved, but communication channel becomes over-saturated
Solution Approach 1:
The data transmission is segmented into distinct phases: an initial burst phase at above-nominal rates for rapid buffer filling, followed by a join interval phase at nominal rates, and finally a steady-state phase. This segmentation allows the system to achieve fast channel changes while preventing channel over-saturation by limiting the duration and intensity of high-rate transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-filling the client buffer with an initial burst of data at above-nominal rates before switching to nominal rate transmission. This preliminary buffer filling enables rapid channel changes without requiring sustained high-bandwidth transmission, thus avoiding channel over-saturation while achieving fast presentation start.
2Productivity
If ACC strategies transmit above-nominal data rate, then buffer filling speed is improved, but media packet loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission is divided into an initial burst phase for rapid buffer filling and a subsequent join interval phase at nominal rates. By limiting the above-nominal rate transmission to only the initial burst period, the system achieves fast buffer filling while reducing overall packet loss compared to sustained high-rate transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the head-end monitors channel conditions and client buffer status, adjusting transmission rates accordingly. This feedback allows the system to achieve fast buffer filling when conditions permit while reducing transmission rate when packet loss becomes problematic, optimizing both productivity and information retention.
3Speed
If multiple users invoke ACC simultaneously on rate-limited channel, then individual channel change speed is improved, but overall stream quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission protocol segments data delivery into standardized phases (initial burst, join interval, steady-state) with defined duration and rate characteristics. This segmentation allows multiple users to simultaneously invoke ACC with predictable resource consumption patterns, preventing any single user from monopolizing bandwidth and maintaining overall stream quality while preserving individual channel change speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters (data rate, burst duration, join interval length) based on channel conditions and user demand. When multiple users invoke ACC simultaneously, the head-end can modify these parameters to distribute bandwidth fairly, ensuring each user achieves acceptable channel change speed while maintaining overall stream quality through coordinated parameter adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
Accelerated channel change (ACC) strategies are described for supplying a client module with media information by transitioning between a first delivery of media information provided by first delivery functionality and a second delivery of media information provided by second delivery functionality without exceeding prescribed data rate limitations. The first delivery functionality can represent server-based functionality for delivering a unicast stream of media information at a data rate (or maximum data rate) of some excess amount over the nominal rate of delivery, starting at a selected location within the media information. The second delivery functionality can represent any functionality for delivering the media information at the data rate (or maximum data rate) of the nominal rate of delivery. A join interval separates the first delivery at the excess rate and the second delivery at the nominal rate. In that period, the first delivery functionality can provide media information at a join interval data rate. The join interval data rate, if it is below the nominal data rate, will cause the client module to miss packets of media information. The client module can receive these missing packets by issuing retry requests to the first delivery functionality or to some other entity. The client module can determine the excess amount available by investigating the amount of missing information that occurs at different data rates; or the excess amount can be defined in advance.