Fetch-Time Thresholds for Data Delivery Network Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adaptive bitrate streaming systems experience buffering issues due to network errors at content delivery networks (CDNs) despite available bandwidth, leading to poor viewing experiences for users.
Innovation Solution
A method for selecting a data delivery network based on available bandwidth and expected performance thresholds, allowing users to switch to a second data delivery network if the fetch time exceeds the threshold, ensuring uninterrupted media content delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the system uses a single data delivery network to deliver content, then the system complexity is reduced, but buffering occurs due to network errors even when bandwidth is available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data delivery networks (primary CDN and secondary DDN) into a unified content delivery system. The client device is configured to access content from the primary CDN first, and automatically switch to the secondary DDN when buffering is detected, merging the capabilities of both networks to ensure continuous playback.
Solution Approach 2:
The client device acts as an intermediary that monitors network performance and dynamically selects between different delivery networks. When the primary CDN fails to deliver content smoothly, the client intermediates by switching to the secondary DDN, ensuring uninterrupted content delivery without requiring changes to the CDN infrastructure.
2Reliability
If the system dynamically switches between multiple data delivery networks, then content delivery reliability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The client device performs self-service by autonomously monitoring its own buffering status and automatically switching between delivery networks without requiring external control. The device detects when playback stalling occurs and independently selects an alternative network, reducing the need for complex server-side coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the client device continuously monitors playback smoothness and network performance. This feedback drives automatic switching decisions - when buffering is detected, the system responds by switching to the secondary DDN, and can switch back to the primary CDN when performance improves, creating a closed-loop control system.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the system monitors and responds to network performance in real-time, then playback smoothness is improved, but the use of energy and processing resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial monitoring by focusing only on critical playback metrics (buffering status, playback smoothness) rather than comprehensively analyzing all network parameters. This selective monitoring approach maintains playback quality while reducing processing overhead compared to full network diagnostics.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for selecting a data delivery network are disclosed. The methods comprise requesting multimedia content delivery, the request comprising an indication of available bandwidth, receiving an indication of an expected performance threshold of a multimedia content item associated with the request for multimedia content, determining a fetch time for the multimedia content item to be delivered from a first data delivery network, and, in response to the fetch time being above the expected performance threshold, selecting a second data delivery network to deliver the multimedia content item.