Dynamic Video Manifests With Segment-Level Bandwidth Estimates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adaptive bitrate (ABR) video delivery systems use static bandwidth values determined by the maximum bandwidth, which may not accurately represent the actual bandwidth requirements for most of the video content, leading to inefficient player or client-side decision-making.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dynamic, updated manifests that provide segment-by-segment characteristics based on real-time measurements, allowing devices to make informed decisions on representation selection and prefetching future segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If static bandwidth values based on maximum bandwidth are used in manifest files, then the manifest can be simple and easy to generate, but the bandwidth values do not accurately represent actual bandwidth requirements for most video content, leading to inefficient player decision-making
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static bandwidth values into dynamic, segment-level bandwidth estimates. The system calculates actual bandwidth usage for each video segment and updates manifest files with these dynamic values, allowing bandwidth information to adapt to actual content characteristics rather than using fixed maximum values throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the video content into segments and calculates bandwidth values for each segment individually. This segmentation allows the system to replace the single maximum bandwidth value with multiple segment-specific bandwidth estimates, improving accuracy while maintaining manifest simplicity through automated processing.
2Productivity
If maximum bandwidth is used to determine static bandwidth values in the manifest, then the manifest can be generated quickly without detailed analysis, but player or client-side inefficiency occurs because the manifest misrepresents actual bandwidth requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-measurement of actual bandwidth usage by monitoring the bandwidth required to deliver each video segment. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual bandwidth specification and allows the system to automatically generate accurate manifest values without external intervention or complex pre-analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system monitors actual bandwidth consumption during video delivery and uses this feedback to update manifest files. This feedback loop allows the manifest to reflect real-world performance data, improving player decision-making efficiency while maintaining automated generation speeds.
3Stability of the object's composition
If static bandwidth values are used throughout the entire video content, then the manifest structure remains simple and unchanged, but the system cannot adapt to varying bandwidth requirements across different segments of the video
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic updates to the manifest structure while maintaining its overall simplicity. The manifest file format remains stable, but the bandwidth values within it are dynamically updated based on actual segment performance, allowing the system to adapt to content variations without complicating the manifest structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the bandwidth parameters in the manifest file based on actual measured values from video segments. Rather than using fixed maximum bandwidth values, the system updates these parameters to reflect actual usage patterns, enabling adaptation to varying content requirements while preserving manifest structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for providing updated manifests for content items. The updated manifests may present one or more expected characteristics for a given one or more segments of the content items. The device receiving the content item may use the updated manifests to select a representation of the content item or portion thereof.