Adaptive Encoding for Collaborative xR Session Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Information Handling Systems (IHSs) for virtual, augmented, and mixed reality applications face challenges in synchronizing and streaming workspace contents with audio across remote users, particularly due to limitations in processing capability and bandwidth variability, which affects the quality and efficiency of collaborative xR sessions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a processor-based IHS that encodes and transmits control operations, workspace operations, and audio using adaptive encoding methods, such as differential lossless map encoding and lossy audio compression, while dynamically adjusting encoding bit rates and packet aggregation based on bandwidth thresholds to ensure seamless collaboration across heterogeneous networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real-time encoding and transmission of control operations, workspace operations, and audio is implemented, then collaborative xR session quality is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data stream into three distinct types: control operations (encoded with differential lossless map encoding), workspace operations (encoded with LZW or RLE), and audio (encoded with lossy audio compression). Each segment uses optimization techniques appropriate to its specific requirements, allowing efficient bandwidth utilization while maintaining overall session quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts encoding parameters including bit rate and packet aggregation levels based on current network conditions. When bandwidth is limited, the system reduces bit rates and increases aggregation; when bandwidth is abundant, it increases fidelity. This allows the system to adaptively balance quality against bandwidth consumption.
2Productivity
If adaptive encoding with dynamic bit rate adjustment is used, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation where the system continuously monitors network bandwidth and adjusts encoding parameters in real-time. The bit rate, packet aggregation level, and encoding method are all dynamically modified based on current conditions, allowing the system to optimize bandwidth efficiency without requiring manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including encoding bit rate, packet aggregation size, and even the specific encoding algorithm used. This multi-parameter adaptation approach maximizes bandwidth efficiency by tuning the entire encoding pipeline to current network conditions rather than relying on a single adjustable parameter.
3Productivity
If multiple encoding methods are applied to different data types, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of local quality by using different encoding methods optimized for each specific data type. Control operations use differential lossless map encoding to preserve precise state information, workspace operations use LZW or RLE for compact representation, and audio uses lossy compression where some detail can be sacrificed. Each encoding method is locally optimized for its specific data characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the data stream into distinct categories (control operations, workspace operations, audio) and applies specialized encoding to each segment. This segmentation allows the system to handle each data type with the most appropriate technique, improving overall transmission efficiency while isolating the complexity of different encoding methods into separate, manageable modules.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for synchronization and streaming of workspace contents with audio for collaborative virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (xR) applications are described. In an embodiment, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the IHS to: receive a control operation from a first user wearing a first head-mounted display (HMD) during a collaborative xR session with a second user, where the second user is wearing a second HMD, and is located remotely with respect to the first user; encode the control operation using a first encoding method; receive a workspace operation from the first user; encode the workspace operation using a second encoding method; aggregate the encoded control operation with the encoded workspace operation into one or more packets; and transmit the one or more packets to the second user during the collaborative xR session.