Adaptive Media Playout Control for Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media streaming technologies face challenges in efficiently adjusting the playout of media data to balance coding efficiency, absolute latency, and playout stability, particularly in reducing latency during live streaming.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling media data playout on a client device that involves retrieving media data segmented into chunks, analyzing the current chunk, and adapting the playout before fully retrieving the chunk, allowing for adjustments in playout rate and quality based on network and client conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the client waits until a full media segment is retrieved before adjusting playout rate and quality, then the playout stability is improved, but the absolute latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by analyzing the current chunk and making playout adaptation decisions before the entire chunk is fully retrieved. The client device performs quality and playout rate adjustments based on partial chunk analysis, proactively preparing for upcoming media data rather than waiting for complete segments. This reduces absolute latency while maintaining stability through predictive adaptations.
2Measurement precision
If the client adapts playout based on full segment retrieval, then the information accuracy for decision-making is improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by making playout adaptation decisions based on analyzing only the current chunk rather than waiting for complete media segments. The client device extracts sufficient information from the current chunk to make informed quality and playout rate decisions, performing partial analysis that provides adequate accuracy without the delay of complete segment retrieval.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional streaming clients wait for full media segments, then the playout stability is maintained, but the latency reduction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing media content into smaller units called chunks, which are further divided into packets. This granular segmentation allows the client to analyze and adapt playout decisions at the chunk level rather than waiting for complete segments, reducing latency while maintaining stability through incremental adaptations across multiple smaller units.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a method for controlling media data playout on a client device, wherein the method includes the steps of: (a) retrieving, by the client device, media data comprising a plurality of segments subdivided into one or more chunks for playout from at least one media server; (b) analyzing a current chunk of the one or more chunks of a current segment; and (c) adapting the playout of the media data in response to the result of the analysis prior to fully retrieving the current chunk. Described herein are further a client device having implemented a media player application configured to perform said method and a computer program product with instructions adapted to cause a device having processing capability to carry out said method.