Block-Request Streaming System for Low-Latency Media Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current media streaming systems face challenges in providing low-latency, bandwidth-efficient, and robust delivery of media content, particularly in adapting to network and buffer conditions, which can result in poor user experience due to stalling or excessive resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
A block-request streaming system that aggregates larger media segment files from smaller fragments for low-latency streaming, using HTTP streaming with Forward Error Correction (FEC) codes and intelligent client procedures to adapt bit-rate and optimize segmentation, allowing for efficient concurrent delivery and minimizing CPU usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If media content is delivered in small fragments for low-latency streaming, then startup time is reduced, but network overhead and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments media content into smaller fragments that can be delivered independently, enabling low-latency startup by delivering the minimum necessary fragments first. This segmentation allows the system to balance between delivering small portions quickly and managing network overhead through intelligent aggregation and prioritization of fragment delivery.
2Reliability
If media content is buffered in advance to ensure uninterrupted playback, then playback continuity is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-buffering only the minimum necessary media fragments required to start playback without interruption, rather than buffering entire content. This preliminary buffering of essential fragments enables uninterrupted playback while minimizing latency by avoiding excessive pre-buffering.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts buffering strategies based on network conditions and playback state, transitioning from aggressive buffering when network is unstable to minimal buffering when conditions are good, thereby optimizing the balance between playback continuity and latency in real-time.
3Productivity
If intelligent client procedures are used to adapt bit-rate, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the client monitors network conditions, playback buffer state, and device performance, then uses this feedback to dynamically adapt bit-rate selections. This feedback-driven adaptation improves bandwidth efficiency by matching delivery rate to actual conditions while keeping the adaptation logic systematic rather than arbitrarily complex.
Data Source
AI summary
A block-request streaming system provides for low-latency streaming of a media presentation. A plurality of media segments are generated according to an encoding protocol. Each media segment includes a random access point. A plurality of media fragments are encoded according to the same protocol. The media segments are aggregated from a plurality of media fragments.