Buffered Content Upgrades Ahead of Playback for Seamless Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adaptive streaming technologies fail to effectively improve the quality of stored content segments when network conditions improve, leading to a suboptimal user experience due to the continued output of lower-quality segments.
Innovation Solution
A computing device detects improved network conditions and requests higher-quality content segments ahead of the current output position, replacing or enhancing lower-quality segments in the buffer to ensure seamless playback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a user device requests and stores content segments at a lower bit rate when network throughput is limited, then the device can maintain continuous playback without buffering delays, but the quality of the played content deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by requesting higher bit rate versions of content segments ahead of the current playback position when network conditions improve. The buffer stores multiple versions of segments at different bit rates, allowing the device to switch to higher quality content before it reaches the playback position, thus improving content quality while maintaining playback continuity.
2Manufacturing precision
If a user device continuously requests higher bit rate content segments, then the quality of content improves, but network bandwidth is overwhelmed causing playback interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the bit rate of requested content segments based on real-time network throughput conditions. The device monitors network conditions and adapts its requests accordingly, requesting higher bit rates when bandwidth is available and lower bit rates when bandwidth is constrained, thus maintaining playback stability while optimizing content quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring network throughput and adjusting content segment requests based on observed network conditions. The device uses feedback from buffer status and network performance to make intelligent decisions about which bit rate versions to request, ensuring playback reliability while improving content quality when possible.
3Manufacturing precision
If a user device buffers content segments for an extended period to allow quality improvement, then higher quality content can be substituted, but playback delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality improvement by selectively requesting higher bit rate versions of specific content segments that are ahead of the current playback position but not yet played. The device improves quality locally for upcoming segments without delaying the current playback position, thus balancing content quality improvement with minimal playback delay.
Data Source
AI summary
The quality of stored content may be managed prior to output. A computing device may request and receive content segments for output via the computing device. The content segments may comprise content encoded at a first bit rate selected by the computing device. The first content segments may be stored in a memory of the computing device, such as a buffer, until output at their respective presentation times. If network conditions improve, the computing device may improve the quality of at least one of the first content segments stored in the memory. The quality may be improved by requesting a higher bit rate version of the content segment and replacing, in the memory, the first content segment with the higher bit rate version of the content segment. The quality of the first content segment may be improved by adding data to the first content segment.