Adaptive Bitrate Encoding for Interactive TV Over Unmanaged Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in providing high-quality, interactive content over unmanaged networks due to high latency and bandwidth variability, which complicates reliable transmission of video and audio content, especially with thin client devices that have limited computing resources.

Innovation Solution

The method involves encoding interactive content with adaptive bitrate control, using a reliable data transmission protocol like TCP, and adjusting the bitrate based on real-time bandwidth measurements to ensure optimal quality and reliability, while maintaining a constant audio bitrate for consistent user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If interactive content is transmitted over an unmanaged network, then network flexibility and accessibility are improved, but transmission reliability and quality are degraded due to high latency and bandwidth variability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidtransmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the video bitrate based on real-time network conditions. The encoder continuously monitors bandwidth availability and latency, then adapts the encoding parameters to match current network capacity, allowing reliable transmission despite unmanaged network variability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key transmission parameters including video bitrate, resolution, and encoding complexity based on network conditions. When network quality degrades, the system reduces video bitrate and resolution while maintaining audio quality, thereby preserving transmission reliability without sacrificing network flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If video bitrate is increased to improve quality, then transmission quality is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo qualityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic bitrate adaptation where the video encoding bitrate is continuously adjusted based on available network bandwidth. During high bandwidth periods, higher bitrates provide superior quality; during low bandwidth periods, lower bitrates conserve network resources while maintaining acceptable quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying video encoding settings including bitrate, resolution, and frame rate based on network conditions. The system optimizes the balance between video quality and bandwidth consumption by selecting appropriate encoding parameters for current network capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If adaptive bitrate control is implemented to optimize transmission, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but computational complexity at the encoding端 increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth efficiencyVSAvoidencoding complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where network condition metrics (bandwidth, latency, packet loss) are continuously monitored and fed back to the encoding process. This feedback loop enables automated bitrate adjustment without requiring complex manual configuration, improving bandwidth efficiency while keeping encoding complexity manageable through algorithmic control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of manufacture

If thin client devices are used to reduce cost, then device cost is reduced, but processing capability and quality of service are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice costVSAvoidprocessing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts complex processing functions from the thin client device and relocates them to the encoding端 or server infrastructure. By performing video encoding, adaptive bitrate control, and quality optimization at the source rather than at the client device, the system enables low-cost thin clients to deliver high-quality service without requiring powerful local processing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9826197B2Providing television broadcasts over a managed network and interactive content over an unmanaged network to a client device

Publication Date: 2017.11.21 CHARTER COMM OPERATING LLC

AI summary

A client device receives a broadcast content signal containing an interactive identifier over a managed network at a client device. The interactive identifier may be a trigger that is included in a header or embedded within the digital video data. The trigger may have a temporal component, wherein the trigger can expire after a certain period of time. In response to identification of the trigger, the client device sends a user request for interactive content over an unmanaged network. For example, the managed network may be a one-way satellite television network, IP-television network or cable television network and the unmanaged network may be the Internet. The client device switches between receiving data from the managed network to receiving data from the unmanaged network.