Adaptive Precision for Streaming Consumption Reporting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for content streaming in communication networks face inefficiencies in consumption reporting, leading to unsatisfactory performance due to inadequate precision, resulting in either insufficient reporting or excessive traffic and power consumption, especially when switching between unicast and multicast delivery.
Innovation Solution
A method where a node in the communication network dynamically adapts the precision of consumption reporting based on received reports from client devices, adjusting the frequency and percentage of reporting to optimize delivery modes, allowing for flexible configuration per service area or device, and even temporarily suspending reporting as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed precision for consumption reporting is set by the BM-SC, then the reporting configuration is simple to manage, but the performance becomes unsatisfactory in varying scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic precision adaptation where the BM-SC adjusts the precision parameter based on received consumption reports and estimated client device density. The precision is initially set by the BM-SC, then adapted after receiving reports from at least some client devices, transforming the static configuration into a dynamic system that responds to actual network conditions.
2Measurement precision
If a high precision consumption reporting is applied, then the accuracy of delivery mode switching is improved, but the traffic load and power consumption increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the precision parameter dynamically based on service area conditions. The BM-SC estimates the number of client devices and adjusts the precision accordingly - using higher precision when few devices are present and lower precision when many devices are present, thereby optimizing the balance between measurement accuracy and energy consumption.
3Loss of energy
If a low precision consumption reporting is applied, then the traffic load and power consumption are reduced, but the accuracy of switching between unicast and multicast delivery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter adaptation where the precision is adjusted based on the estimated number of client devices in the service area. When the estimated number is low, higher precision is applied to ensure accurate delivery mode switching. When the estimated number is high, lower precision is applied to reduce traffic load, as the law of large numbers provides sufficient accuracy even with lower precision.
4Device complexity
If the same consumption reporting periodicity is applied to all service areas, then the configuration is simple, but the performance varies unsatisfactorily across different service areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adapting the precision parameter specifically for each service area based on the estimated number of client devices in that area. Instead of a uniform configuration, each service area receives customized precision settings tailored to its local conditions, improving performance while maintaining manageable complexity through automated estimation.
Data Source
AI summary
A node (200) of a communication network determines a precision to be applied for reporting of consumption of streamed content. The node (200) sends configuration information (304) indicating the precision towards a plurality of client devices (10). After receiving reports of consumption (308) of the streamed content from at least some of the client devices (10), the node (200) adapts the precision to be applied for said reporting of consumption of the streamed content and sends further configuration information indicating the adapted precision towards the client devices (10).