Context-Aware Streaming Adaptation for Battery Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (DASH) techniques lack the ability to respond to contexts beyond available network bandwidth, leading to inefficient use of resources and suboptimal user experiences, particularly in mobile devices with limited battery power or changing usage conditions.

Innovation Solution

The method involves collecting contextual data from client devices to tailor digital content streaming, adjusting parameters such as bitrate, video quality, and resource allocation based on the device's operational characteristics, environmental conditions, and user preferences, using context-aware techniques that interact with media servers and network hardware to optimize content delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If DASH streams content at the highest possible bitrate based on network bandwidth, then streaming quality is improved, but battery power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestreaming qualityVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the bitrate parameter dynamically based on multiple factors including network bandwidth, device battery level, and user preferences. When battery level is low, the system selects lower bitrate streams even if network conditions allow higher quality, thus resolving the contradiction between streaming quality and power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of streaming parameters in real-time based on changing conditions. The client continuously monitors battery level and adjusts bitrate selection dynamically, transitioning from static bandwidth-based adaptation to multi-parameter dynamic adaptation that balances quality and power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If DASH requests highest bitrate segments automatically, then network utilization is optimized, but device resources are overestimated leading to stalled streams

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork utilizationVSAvoidstream stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the client reports actual playback conditions and buffer status to the server. The server uses this feedback to adjust bitrate allocations, preventing overestimation of device capabilities and avoiding stream stalls while maintaining efficient network utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If contextual data collection is implemented to personalize streaming, then user experience is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages existing device sensors and APIs for contextual data collection, making the system multi-functional without adding significant complexity. The same infrastructure used for network monitoring is also used for battery level and device state monitoring, achieving personalization through universal data collection mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2924999B1Context-aware streaming of digital content
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 INTEL IP CORP
  • EP2924999B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2924999B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2924999B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Techniques are disclosed for streaming digital content from a server to a client device in a way that is tailored to the context in which the client device is used. The context in which a client device is used may refer to, for example, the operational characteristics of the device and/or the environmental conditions under which the device is used. A client device can be configured to collect contextual data characterizing its use context. The way in which streaming media is delivered to the client device can be adjusted based on such contextual data, and in particular, can be adjusted in a way that tailors the content delivery to the specific use context. This can improve user experience and conserve battery and network resources, for example, by avoiding the streaming of high definition content to a device that, due to its use context, is able to render standard definition content.