Content Encoding With Redundant Streams for Packet Loss Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content distribution methods over IP networks face challenges with packet loss, particularly in wireless networks, leading to disturbances and inability to reproduce content due to the high computation resource usage and inflexibility of FEC schemes, and the bandwidth-intensive nature of multiple-packet transmission.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating multiple items of encoded data with different compression rates or generating FEC data simultaneously, storing them as a single file with identifiers, allowing for efficient decoding and reproduction even with packet loss, without requiring feedback or additional calculation load on the distribution server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If FEC (Forward Error Correction) is used to restore lost packets, then packet loss recovery capability is improved, but computation resources on the distribution server are excessively consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating multiple versions of encoded data with different compression rates before transmission. When packet loss occurs, the receiver can directly use the pre-prepared alternative versions without requiring real-time computation or retransmission requests, thus avoiding excessive server computation resources while ensuring reliable recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of encoded data with different compression rates (e.g., first encoded data with higher compression, second encoded data with lower compression). These copies are transmitted together, allowing the receiver to select an appropriate version when packet loss occurs, eliminating the need for complex real-time FEC computation on the server side.
2Reliability
If multiple-packet transmission is used to reduce packet loss probability, then reliability is improved, but transmission bandwidth is excessively consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating encoded data versions with different compression rates tailored to different network conditions. The first encoded data uses higher compression for bandwidth efficiency, while the second uses lower compression for better quality when needed. This localized optimization of compression rates allows reliable transmission without uniformly increasing bandwidth consumption across all packets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compression rate parameter to create multiple encoded data versions. By varying this parameter, the system can adapt to different network conditions without transmitting multiple full copies of the same data, thus reducing overall bandwidth consumption while maintaining reliability through selective use of different compression levels.
3Reliability
If retransmission is used to request redistribution of lost packets, then packet recovery is improved, but transmission time is increased and uplink is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares multiple encoded data versions in advance before transmission occurs. When packet loss is detected, the receiver can immediately switch to using a pre-prepared alternative version without needing to request retransmission, thereby eliminating the time delay associated with retransmission protocols and removing the requirement for uplink communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service recovery by embedding multiple encoded data versions within the original transmission stream. The receiver autonomously selects and uses the appropriate version when packet loss occurs, without requiring external intervention or retransmission requests, thus achieving rapid recovery without time loss.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple encoders are used to generate encoded data at different compression rates, then adaptability to network conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple encoders into a single encoder that sequentially generates multiple encoded data versions with different compression rates. This consolidation maintains the adaptability benefits of having multiple compression options while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate encoder units and their associated configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided a content data transmission method, device, and program that minimize serious disturbances in reproduced content on the reception side, caused by a transmission error of encoded data, without sending feedback information from the reception side to the transmission side. When an encoder creates encoded data to be distributed, the encoder creates plural items of encoded data at the same time or creates FEC data at the same time in advance and, when storing the data in a file, stores the data as if the data were one item of encoded data. When a distribution server distributes the data using the file, the plurality of items of encoded data are automatically distributed at the same time and the FEC data is distributed. A client receives the plurality of items of encoded data or the FEC data to reduce the probability of data shortage due to a packet loss and, as a result, the deterioration in the image quality and the audio quality is reduced.