Adaptive Video Communication Channel Join Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
In videoconferencing, the frequent transmission of key frames for decoding video data leads to increased bandwidth requirements and delays, causing new users to wait up to 20 seconds before they can view video, which negatively impacts the viewer experience and may be misinterpreted as connectivity issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a user computer requests and receives a decode information set using an RTCP connection, allowing for immediate processing and display of video streams by communicating a decode information set request message with a unique identifier, enabling rapid joining of existing videoconferences without significant delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If key frames are transmitted frequently to enable quick video decoding, then new users can join and view video faster, but bandwidth consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the encoder prepare and buffer key frames in advance before they are needed. When a new user joins, the system can immediately transmit the pre-prepared key frame without waiting for the next periodic transmission, thus reducing user join delay without requiring more frequent key frame generation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts key frame transmission based on real-time conditions such as user join events. Instead of fixed periodic transmission, the system monitors for new users and triggers key frame transmission adaptively, optimizing the balance between quick video display and bandwidth conservation
2Quantity of substance
If key frame transmission is limited to reduce bandwidth usage, then bandwidth consumption decreases, but new users experience delays of up to 20 seconds before video can be displayed
Solution Approach 1:
The encoder continuously prepares key frames in advance and buffers them ready for transmission. This preliminary preparation ensures that when a new user joins, an immediate key frame is available for transmission without requiring the system to wait for the next periodic transmission interval, thus reducing the 20-second delay
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms to detect when new users join the video conference. This feedback triggers adaptive key frame transmission, allowing the system to maintain low bandwidth consumption during normal operation while quickly responding to user join events by transmitting pre-prepared key frames
3Reliability
If key frames are sent on a random or periodic basis, then video decoding information is available to users, but the required bandwidth increases due to frequent transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic key frame transmission at optimized intervals rather than random or overly frequent transmission. This periodic action ensures that key frames are available reliably for video decoding while minimizing bandwidth consumption by transmitting only when necessary
Solution Approach 2:
The encoder pre-prepares key frames in advance during the periodic intervals, so when transmission occurs, the data is ready immediately. This preliminary preparation maintains reliable video decoding availability while optimizing bandwidth usage by avoiding unnecessary transmission during non-event periods
Data Source
AI summary
A videoconference system includes a plurality of computers associated with the system to collectively send and receive video data streams. A video encoding program is stored in a memory and is executable by at least a first computer. When executed, the executing computer encodes video data using one or more encoding parameters. A decode information set request monitoring program is stored in a memory and is executable by at least the first computer, causing the first computer to perform the steps of monitoring the network for receipt of a decode information set request message and responding to the received request message by querying the received message for an ID and, if the ID of the received message corresponds to a video data stream generated from the first computer, communicating the corresponding decode information set including the encoding parameters to at least a computer that transmitted the message.