Adaptive Media Streaming With Fast Start and Bitrate Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media streaming protocols suffer from high start-up times, latency, and bandwidth inefficiencies, particularly in live streaming and adaptive bitrate switching.
Innovation Solution
A method for streamed playback that includes requesting and receiving a first media package containing decoder configuration and frames from a remote media service, allowing immediate playback and subsequent frames to be requested and received in parallel, with pointers enabling seamless switching between representations and adaptive bitrate adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional streaming protocols are used, then media can be streamed with quality switching capability, but start-up time and latency remain high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media stream into chunks with independent key frames, allowing the client to request and play specific segments without waiting for the entire stream. This segmentation enables parallel downloading of multiple segments while maintaining quality switching capability, thereby reducing start-up time and latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-loading multiple media segments and key frames into the client buffer before actual playback is needed. This allows the media player to start playing immediately once segments are available, eliminating the traditional wait time for complete download and significantly reducing start-up latency.
2Loss of time
If media is downloaded completely before playback, then playback quality is stable, but start-up time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing media into segments with independent key frames, the system enables progressive playback where segments are downloaded and played as they become available. This segmentation allows playback to start without complete download while maintaining stability through proper segment sequencing and key frame synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by implementing a buffering mechanism that continuously downloads and prepares segments while playback is ongoing. The media player maintains a buffer of available segments, ensuring smooth continuous playback without interruption or waiting, thus achieving both fast start-up and stable playback quality.
3Quantity of substance
If high quality media is streamed, then viewing quality is good, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic quality adjustment by allowing the client to switch between different media representations with varying bit rates and qualities based on available bandwidth and network conditions. The system dynamically adapts the streaming quality in real-time, optimizing the balance between viewing quality and bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters such as bit rate, resolution, and codec according to network conditions and user preferences. By dynamically modifying these parameters, the system optimizes bandwidth usage while maintaining acceptable media quality, allowing efficient adaptation to different network environments without sacrificing viewing experience.
Data Source
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AI summary
Example embodiments describe a method for streamed playback of media in a media client (150) from a remote media service (101) comprising by the client: a) determining (151) address information for locating the service and for a starting time (121); b) by the address information, requesting and receiving (152, 153) a first media package (190) from the service; the package comprising decoder configuration information, one or more frames (173), associated timing information for playback frames, and a pointer to a subsequent part of the media stream; c) configuring (181) a decoder (180) of the client by the decoder information; d) starting playback (182) of the stream in the client at the starting time by providing (182) the frames to the configured decoder; e) by the pointer, requesting (154) a remaining portion (164-166) of the media comprising subsequent frames of the media stream and associated timing information; f) receiving (155) the subsequent frames as a stream and continuing playback by providing (155) the subsequent frames and associated timing information to the configured decoder (180).