Adaptive Bitrate Streaming via Virtual Screen Resolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bitrate optimization technologies do not account for user context, leading to inefficient network resource allocation and potential lag or delay in data streaming, especially during peak usage times, as they assume constant user attention and maximum resolution requirements.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a system that adjusts bitrates for data streams based on user context, using concepts like virtual display size and virtual resolution, which considers user focus, attention level, and other interactions to dynamically adjust streaming quality, allowing for reduced or increased bitrates accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If network operators implement complex algorithms for managing traffic and allocating network resources, then network congestion is mitigated and resource allocation is improved, but the system complexity increases and user context is not accounted for

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork resource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidtraffic management algorithm complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the network operator's end determine bitrate based on network conditions alone, this patent inverts the approach by having the network consumer's end (client device) determine the optimal bitrate based on user context factors such as viewing distance, display resolution, and user attention level. The client device sends user context information to the server, which then adapts the streaming bitrate accordingly, reversing the traditional control flow from server-centric to client-centric bitrate optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the client device to autonomously assess user context factors (viewing distance via sensors, display characteristics, user attention) and self-determine the optimal streaming bitrate without requiring complex network operator intervention. The client device serves itself by making intelligent bitrate selection based on local user context information, reducing the need for complex network-side traffic management algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If maximum bitrate is used for data streaming, then streaming quality is maximized, but network resources are wasted when user attention or display resolution is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestreaming qualityVSAvoidnetwork resource waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic bitrate adjustment based on real-time user context factors. The streaming bitrate is not fixed at maximum but dynamically adapts to changing user conditions such as viewing distance, display resolution, and user attention level. This dynamic approach ensures high streaming quality when needed while reducing bitrate (and network resource consumption) when user context indicates lower quality requirements, eliminating the static choice between maximum quality and resource conservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the bitrate parameter based on user context parameters such as viewing distance, display resolution, and user attention level. By monitoring these user context parameters and adjusting the streaming bitrate accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between streaming quality and network resource utilization, delivering maximum quality only when user context justifies it and reducing bitrate when user context indicates lower requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If user context monitoring is implemented, then bitrate adaptation to user needs is achieved, but additional system complexity and processing requirements are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebitrate adaptation to user contextVSAvoiduser context monitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages existing multi-functional components in modern client devices (sensors for camera functions, display systems for rendering, processors for general computation) to perform user context monitoring for bitrate adaptation. Rather than introducing dedicated hardware for user context monitoring, the system repurposes existing device components to gather viewing distance, display characteristics, and user attention information, achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10200725B2Adaptive data streaming based on virtual screen size

Publication Date: 2019.02.05 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Methods, systems, and storage media are described for adjusting a bitrate for a data stream according to user consumption of the data stream. In embodiments, a computing device may determine a virtual resolution based on an absolute resolution of a display device associated with the computing device and a relative display size of the display device. The relative display size may be based on a user position and an absolute display size of the display device. The computing device may request data stream segments of a data stream encoded at a bitrate based on the virtual resolution, and provide the data stream segment for display on the display device. The virtual resolution may also be based on user attributes and/or device attributes. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.