Dynamic Bitrate Configuration for Streaming Network Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing streaming technologies face challenges in dynamically configuring target bitrates for network connections, leading to potential network overload and unsatisfactory playback of live media content, especially in marginal network conditions such as cellular data networks.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines inter-arrival rate and round-trip time information to dynamically configure the target bitrate and packet size for streaming connections, ensuring optimal network performance and user experience by adjusting encoding parameters based on real-time network conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a high target bitrate is used for streaming, then the media quality is improved, but the network may become overloaded causing playback interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bitrate adjustment by continuously monitoring network conditions (inter-arrival rate, round-trip time) and adapting the target bitrate in real-time. The streaming component transitions from a static bitrate configuration to a dynamic one where the bitrate is adjusted based on current network state, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high quality and ensuring playback continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop by monitoring network performance metrics (inter-arrival rate of packets and round-trip time) and using this information to adjust the target bitrate. The stream configuration component receives feedback about network conditions and modifies encoding parameters accordingly, allowing the system to maintain optimal quality while preventing network overload.
2Reliability
If the target bitrate is dynamically adjusted based on network conditions, then network overload is prevented, but the media quality may degrade during good network conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the target bitrate based on real-time network conditions. When network conditions are good (low inter-arrival rate, low round-trip time), the system increases the bitrate to maintain high media quality. When network conditions deteriorate, the system reduces the bitrate to prevent overload, thus resolving the contradiction between network stability and media quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the encoding parameter (target bitrate) based on network conditions. The stream configuration component modifies the target bitrate parameter dynamically, increasing it when network capacity is available and decreasing it when the network is congested, thereby optimizing both quality and stability.
3Device complexity
If fixed encoding parameters are used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the system cannot adapt to varying network conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static encoding configuration into a dynamic one. The streaming component and stream configuration component work together to continuously monitor network conditions and adjust encoding parameters in real-time, enabling the system to adapt to varying network conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically monitoring its own network conditions and modifying its encoding parameters without external intervention. The stream configuration component autonomously adjusts the target bitrate based on measured inter-arrival rate and round-trip time, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques to dynamically configure target bitrate for streaming network connections are described. An apparatus may comprise a streaming component operative to establish a streaming network connection with a second client device at a first client device; and a stream configuration component operative to determine inter-arrival rate information for the streaming network connection; provide the inter-arrival rate information to an inter-arrival rate analysis component; receive a preliminary target bitrate from the inter-arrival rate analysis component in response to providing the inter-arrival rate information to the inter-arrival rate analysis component; determine round-trip time information for the streaming network connection; determine an assigned target bitrate and a packet size setting for the streaming network connection based on the preliminary target bitrate and the round-trip time information; and configure the streaming component to perform the streaming network connection with the assigned target bitrate and the packet size setting. Other embodiments are described and claimed.