Adaptive Video Streaming Buffer Management for Bandwidth Fluctuations
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bit rate selection algorithms for video content streaming services are unsuitable for wireless network environments due to frequent bandwidth changes, leading to inconsistent video quality and inefficient bandwidth utilization among clients.
Innovation Solution
A method for receiving a streaming service that involves sequentially requesting video data transmission, starting with a basic layer and incrementing the layer level during decoding, without estimating network bandwidth, ensuring fairness in video quality and maximizing bandwidth utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing bit rate selection algorithms use information on previously received video data to estimate bandwidth, then bandwidth estimation can be performed, but video quality becomes inconsistent and bandwidth utilization becomes inefficient in wireless network environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-dividing video content into multiple quality layers (base layer and enhancement layers) before transmission. The client requests and receives these layers in a predetermined sequence based on buffer status, without needing to estimate current bandwidth conditions. This eliminates the reliability issue of bandwidth estimation while maintaining efficient bandwidth utilization through progressive quality enhancement.
2Quantity of substance
If existing bit rate selection algorithms estimate bandwidth based on historical data, then bandwidth information can be obtained, but the algorithm cannot fully utilize available bandwidth when it changes frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the video quality adaptation dynamic and responsive to real-time buffer status rather than relying on historical bandwidth estimates. The client dynamically adjusts the requested video quality layer based on current buffer idle space, allowing full utilization of available bandwidth when it increases while maintaining stable playback when bandwidth is limited. This dynamic adaptation mechanism directly addresses the inability of static estimation algorithms to respond to frequent bandwidth changes.
3Reliability
If clients connected to the same AP are assigned the same download rate, then network fairness is maintained, but different clients experience different video qualities due to different bandwidth estimates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each client to receive video content at a quality level locally adapted to its specific buffer status and instantaneous network conditions, rather than enforcing uniform quality across all clients. Since all clients receive the same base layer and enhancement layers are added based on individual buffer availability, clients with larger buffer idle space receive higher quality enhancement layers while maintaining the same fundamental service quality baseline, thus achieving both network fairness and appropriate quality differentiation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for receiving a streaming service is disclosed. The method for receiving a streaming service may be a method performed at a terminal for receiving a streaming service for a video content coded in a layered manner and may include the steps of: (a) sequentially requesting a transmission of at least one video data for a basic layer to be stored in the idle space of a buffer; and (b) sequentially requesting a transmission of video data for a layer of an increased level if the buffer does not have idle space, performed during the decoding of video data corresponding to a single video chunk, where step (b) may be repeated with the level of the layer increased during the decoding of video corresponding to a single video chunk.