Dynamic Transport Protocol Switching for Streaming Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Wi-Fi peer-to-peer remote display technologies face quality artifacts due to network congestion, as they rely on UDP protocol for real-time media transfer, which is not suitable for all types of content and network conditions.

Innovation Solution

The system dynamically switches between User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) based on the type of content, latency requirements, and network conditions during a Wi-Fi peer-to-peer remote display session, allowing the source device to select the appropriate transport mechanism for reliable data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If UDP protocol is used for real-time media transfer, then latency is reduced and real-time performance is improved, but reliability deteriorates and quality artifacts occur under network congestion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time performanceVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between UDP and TCP protocols based on real-time network conditions and content characteristics. The source device monitors network congestion levels and adjusts the transport protocol accordingly, using UDP for low-congestion scenarios to maintain low latency, and TCP for high-congestion scenarios to ensure reliable delivery and avoid quality artifacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the transport protocol parameter (UDP vs TCP) based on network conditions and content type. For real-time interactive content like video calls, UDP is preferred to maintain responsiveness. For stored media playback where reliability is paramount, TCP is selected to prevent corruption and ensure complete data delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If TCP protocol is used for data transmission, then reliability is improved and data integrity is ensured, but latency increases and real-time performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidreal-time performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects between TCP and UDP based on the specific requirements of the media content being transmitted. The source device evaluates whether the content is real-time generated or stored, and adjusts the protocol selection accordingly, using TCP for stored media where retransmission is acceptable and UDP for real-time content where latency must be minimized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transport protocol parameter is changed based on content characteristics. For interactive real-time applications, UDP provides the necessary speed. For non-interactive stored media playback, TCP provides the necessary reliability without significantly impacting user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a single protocol is used for all content types, then device complexity is reduced and implementation is simplified, but adaptability deteriorates and quality artifacts occur for certain content types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol implementation complexityVSAvoidcontent type adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The source device is designed to support multiple transport protocols (both UDP and TCP) and automatically selects the appropriate protocol based on the content type and network conditions. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle diverse content types effectively, from real-time video calls to stored media playback, without requiring separate dedicated systems for each protocol.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic protocol selection capability that adapts to different content types and network conditions in real-time. The source device monitors the characteristics of the media content being transmitted and adjusts the transport protocol accordingly, providing optimal performance for each specific scenario without requiring manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3130127B1Streaming control for real-time transport protocol
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3130127B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3130127B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3130127B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

Dynamic control of transport protocols utilized in the streaming of media content based in part on the type of content, latency requirements, network conditions and/or device capabilities is described. The techniques provide a source device to dynamically switch between User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) to stream media content to a sink device. For example, during a Wi-Fi peer-to-peer remote display session associated with real-time media content (e.g., live streaming sporting event, or gaming applications), the source device may utilize Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) over UDP to transmit the media stream to the sink device. Conversely, when the media content is not latency critical, such as playback of stored media (e.g., movie), the source device may dynamically switch to RTP over TCP in order to provide reliable data transmission.