Dynamic Content Delivery via Variable Segment Lengths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current adaptive bitrate (ABR) streaming techniques in wireless communication networks face volatility in playback quality due to uniform segment lengths, leading to buffering and quality deterioration, especially in adverse network conditions, and lack consistency across different encoding layers.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for dynamically optimizing content delivery by dynamically determining segment lengths and creating virtual manifests based on user device conditions, allowing for variable segment sizes and compositions to maintain consistent quality and reduce the number of streams required, while maintaining backward compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If uniform segment lengths are used in ABR streaming, then the streaming protocol simplicity is maintained, but playback quality consistency deteriorates and buffering occurs during adverse network conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from uniform fixed-length segments to variable-length segments that dynamically adapt to network conditions. The system determines optimal segment lengths based on real-time network state, allowing segments to vary in duration while maintaining consistent playback quality and reducing buffering during adverse network conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple streams of varying bitrates are created for ABR, then adaptability to network conditions is improved, but the volume of data and number of streams increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple bitrate streams into a unified variable-length segment structure. Instead of managing separate fixed-length streams for different bitrates, the system combines them into a single stream where segment lengths vary based on the desired quality level and network conditions, reducing the overall volume of data while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of segment length from fixed to variable based on network conditions and quality requirements. By dynamically adjusting segment length rather than creating multiple separate streams, the system achieves adaptability to network conditions while reducing the quantity of streams and data volume.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed segment lengths are used across all bitrate streams, then implementation consistency is maintained, but playback smoothness deteriorates due to inability to build longer buffers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing segment lengths to vary based on network conditions and playback requirements. This enables the system to build longer buffers during periods of stable or good network connectivity, improving playback smoothness while maintaining implementation consistency through a unified variable-length segment approach rather than multiple fixed-length streams.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a method receives a request for delivery of content from a user device. The method determines one or more first parameters for the user device based on the request. A virtual manifest is created for the user device based on the one or more parameters. The method automatically generates a new stream of data for the content based on the virtual manifest. The new stream of data comprises adjusts a size or length of one or more segments of an original stream of data. The method delivers the content to the user device based on the new stream of data.