Streaming Media Bitstream Segment Selection for Buffer Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video communication technologies do not fully utilize bandwidth resources and fail to provide a consistent video experience, as they only consider bit rate within network bandwidth limits without optimizing for buffer management and quality adaptation.
Innovation Solution
A method and player for selecting bitstream segments based on streaming media that dynamically adjust quality and bit rate by selecting initial segments that do not cause buffer underflow, using preset quality thresholds and network bandwidth information to ensure continuous playback and optimal resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the terminal requests segments with maximum bit rate less than current bandwidth, then the implementation is simple, but bandwidth resources are not fully utilized and video quality is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection parameter from purely bandwidth-based to a composite parameter that includes buffer status, segment quality, and playback position. The terminal calculates a quality threshold based on buffer duration and adjusts segment selection accordingly, transforming the simple bandwidth comparison into a multi-parameter optimization process that fully utilizes bandwidth while ensuring smooth playback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of segment quality selection based on real-time buffer status. When buffer duration is sufficient, the terminal can select higher quality segments; when buffer is low, it selects lower quality segments to ensure continuous playback. This dynamic adaptation allows full bandwidth utilization without compromising playback stability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the terminal selects high quality segments, then video quality improves, but buffer underflow may occur causing playback interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the terminal continuously monitors buffer duration and adjusts segment quality selection in real-time. The quality threshold is dynamically calculated based on buffer status, creating a closed-loop control system that balances video quality and playback continuity. This feedback ensures that high quality segments are selected only when buffer conditions permit, preventing underflow interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of quality threshold based on current buffer status before selecting segments. By pre-assessing buffer conditions and determining the maximum acceptable quality threshold, the system proactively prevents buffer underflow before it occurs, ensuring both high quality and continuous playback.
3Reliability
If the terminal requests segments with lower bit rate to ensure buffer availability, then playback continuity is maintained, but bandwidth resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the segment selection parameter from conservative low-quality to dynamic quality based on buffer status. By calculating quality threshold as a function of buffer duration and adjusting segment quality accordingly, the system maximizes bandwidth utilization while maintaining playback continuity. When buffer is sufficient, higher quality segments are selected to fully utilize available bandwidth.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bitstreams with different qualities are provided, then adaptability to network conditions improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the multi-parameter optimization problem by transforming it into a quality threshold calculation based primarily on buffer duration. Instead of complex multi-objective optimization, the terminal calculates a single quality threshold parameter that balances all factors (bandwidth, buffer, quality), making the selection process simpler while maintaining adaptability to network conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a method for selecting a bitstream segment based on streaming media, where the method includes: obtaining segment information of each segment of at least two segments corresponding to a first time in the streaming media, where the segment information includes segment quality; selecting, according to the segment quality of each segment and a preset quality threshold, an initial segment from the at least two segments corresponding to the first time; and if it is determined that downloading of the initial segment does not cause a play exception of a terminal, using the initial segment as a selected bitstream segment. A method for selecting a bitstream segment based on streaming media according to an embodiment of the present invention makes that a finally selected bitstream segment fully uses bandwidth, quality of segments gets closer, and video quality during video playing becomes smoother. Embodiments of the present invention further disclose a player and a terminal for selecting a bitstream segment based on streaming media.