Adaptive Streaming Media Server Augmented Video Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Adaptive streaming systems experience visual disruptions and delays when switching between video streams due to changes in network conditions or video decoder performance, leading to an inferior user experience.

Innovation Solution

Implementing augmented video stream transitions by generating and displaying an image, either retrieved from a media server or captured by a network client, to obscure visual disturbances during stream changes, thereby smoothing the transition process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If adaptive streaming switches between video streams to adjust quality based on network conditions, then video quality adapts to available bandwidth, but visual disruptions and delays occur during stream transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo quality adaptationVSAvoidvisual continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary image (such as a still frame from the current stream or a preview frame from the next stream) that acts as a mediator during stream transitions. This intermediary visual element bridges the gap between switching streams, preventing visual disruptions while maintaining adaptive quality adjustments based on network conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the system displays content during stream transitions to maintain visual continuity, then visual disruptions are reduced, but additional processing and network overhead are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual continuityVSAvoidtransition processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by preparing intermediary images in advance - either using already-decoded still frames from the current stream or pre-fetching preview frames from the next stream. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity of real-time transition processing while maintaining visual continuity during stream switches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If stream switching is performed quickly to respond to network condition changes, then adaptability improves, but visual artifacts and transition delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse to network conditionsVSAvoidvisual quality during transition

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by displaying intermediary images (such as extended still frames or smoothed transition frames) that cushion the visual impact of rapid stream switching. This approach allows the system to quickly respond to network condition changes while preventing visual artifacts and maintaining high visual quality during transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS9060184B2Systems and methods for adaptive streaming with augmented video stream transitions using a media server

Publication Date: 2015.06.16 DIVX LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for adaptive streaming with augmented video stream transitions using a media server in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a media server includes multimedia content including a set of alternative streams of video data and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to receive a request to stream multimedia content, stream a first stream of video data, where the first stream of video data is one of the set of alternative streams of video data contained in the multimedia content, receive a request for a second stream of video data, where the second stream of video data is one of the set of alternative streams of video data contained in the multimedia content, transmit an image in response to the request for the second stream of video data, and stream the second stream of video data.