Adaptive Connection Switching for Media Streaming Bandwidth Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Media streaming over the Internet faces performance issues due to network congestion, which can limit bandwidth between the media source and client device, despite sufficient bandwidth at the service providers, and requires adaptive solutions to manage dynamically changing conditions.
Innovation Solution
The system dynamically switches between a single connection and multiple connections based on current network conditions, monitoring bitrates to determine whether a single or multiple connections provide better streaming performance, and adjusts accordingly to optimize bandwidth usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single connection is used between media source and client device, then device complexity and overhead are reduced, but bandwidth utilization and streaming performance deteriorate under network congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of connections between media source and client device based on real-time network conditions. It monitors bandwidth availability and streaming performance metrics, then adaptively opens or closes connections to optimize throughput while avoiding the fixed limitations of a single connection approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the media stream into multiple parallel connections when network conditions permit, dividing the data flow across multiple pathways. This segmentation allows the system to bypass congested routes and utilize available bandwidth more effectively, while maintaining the ability to consolidate to a single connection when simplicity is prioritized.
2Productivity
If multiple connections are used between media source and client device, then bandwidth utilization and streaming performance improve, but device complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops that monitor network conditions, bandwidth utilization, and streaming performance metrics. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the number of active connections, opening additional connections when performance degradation is detected and closing them when optimal performance is achieved or conditions improve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of connection count dynamically based on network conditions and performance requirements. It adjusts this parameter in response to measured bandwidth availability, congestion levels, and streaming quality metrics, transitioning between single-connection and multi-connection modes as needed.
3Productivity
If multiple connections are maintained continuously, then bandwidth utilization improves, but power consumption and network resource use increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining multiple connections continuously, the system employs periodic assessment of network conditions and performance metrics. It opens additional connections only when monitoring indicates a need for increased bandwidth utilization, and closes them when performance requirements are met or conditions deteriorate, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption and network resource usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts connection count based on real-time power consumption considerations alongside performance requirements. It transitions between connection states adaptively, maintaining multiple connections only when both performance benefits and power consumption constraints justify the additional resource usage.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of streaming media may include opening a single connection between a client device and a media source; requesting a first media segment of a media stream corresponding to selected tier of a media title over the single connection; determining a download bitrate of the single connection; comparing the download bitrate to a predetermined bitrate of the media title; and in response to determining that the download bitrate is less than the predetermined bitrate, opening a plurality of connections between the client device and media source. The predetermined bitrate may be a predetermined bitrate of a next higher bitrate tier in a group of tiers containing the selected tier when the selected tier is not a highest bitrate tier in the group, and a predetermined bitrate of the selected tier otherwise. The method may further include, in response to determining that an aggregate download bitrate of the plurality of connections is less than a multiple of a download bitrate of an individual one of the connections, closing some of the plurality of connections so that only the individual connection remains.