Dual Buffer Architecture for Interactive TV Latency and Server Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interactive television systems face challenges in managing multiple data types, such as video and user-interface elements, which require different buffer lengths to optimize user experience, as current systems struggle to balance latency and server workload effectively.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a combination of shallow and deep buffers in client devices, where shallow buffers provide low-latency access for interactive content and deep buffers store larger amounts of media data ahead of time, reducing server load and enhancing responsiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a short buffer is used, then latency is reduced and interactive responsiveness is improved, but the server workload increases due to more frequent transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single buffer into two separate buffers: a shallow buffer for interactive content and a deep buffer for linear content. This segmentation allows each buffer to be optimized for its specific purpose, with the shallow buffer providing low-latency access for interactive elements and the deep buffer reducing server transmission frequency for video content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different buffer depth characteristics to different content types within the same system. The shallow buffer (first buffer) is optimized for interactive content requiring low latency, while the deep buffer (second buffer) is optimized for linear content requiring reduced server workload. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing both opposing requirements to be satisfied in their respective domains.
2Productivity
If a long buffer is used, then server workload is reduced with fewer transmissions, but latency increases degrading interactive user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the buffer system into two distinct buffers with different depth characteristics. The deep buffer (second buffer) handles linear content to reduce server transmission frequency, while the shallow buffer (first buffer) handles interactive content to maintain low latency. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by isolating the competing requirements to different buffer instances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different buffer depth qualities to different content streams. The deep buffer provides high capacity for video content where reduced server workload is prioritized, while the shallow buffer provides low latency for interactive content where responsiveness is prioritized. This local quality differentiation allows the system to satisfy both contradictory requirements simultaneously.
3Device complexity
If multiple data types are combined in a single buffer, then system complexity is reduced, but optimization for both interactive and linear content cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the buffer system into two separate buffers to handle different content types. This segmentation enables optimization for both interactive and linear content simultaneously, resolving the contradiction by showing that increased structural complexity (two buffers) enables greater functional versatility and optimization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different buffer characteristics to different content types within the unified system. The shallow buffer is optimized for interactive content while the deep buffer is optimized for linear content, allowing the system to achieve content-type-specific optimization without requiring completely separate systems. This local quality approach balances complexity and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A client device receives, from a server, first content directed to a first buffer in the client device and second content directed to a second buffer in the client device. The client device buffers the first content in the first buffer and buffers the second content in the second buffer. At least a portion of the second content is buffered in the second buffer substantially simultaneously with buffering the first content in the first buffer. The client device receives a command from a virtual set-top application, running on the server, that corresponds to the client device. The client device runs a virtual set-top local client that receives the command from the virtual set-top application and selects the first buffer as a content source. The selecting is performed in accordance with the command. The client device provides the selected content for display.