Early Media Buffering via User Interaction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Despite advances in computer networking, delivering high-resolution video content over networks remains inefficient due to large data sizes, leading to potential disruptions during media channel switching, as existing buffering methods often require continuous buffering of multiple streams, which is not always necessary.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for early media buffering using prediction of user behavior, where a client device with user interaction sensors detects impending user interactions to trigger the media server to pre-buffer neighboring media options, ensuring seamless transitions without continuous buffering of all streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous buffering of multiple media streams is implemented, then seamless channel switching is achieved, but bandwidth usage and system resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary buffering actions selectively based on user interaction detection. When a user hovers over or interacts with a media option, the system pre-buffers that specific stream in advance, rather than continuously buffering all streams. This preliminary action on demand achieves seamless switching when needed while avoiding unnecessary bandwidth consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffering system transitions from a static continuous buffering approach to a dynamic adaptive approach. The system continuously monitors user interactions and dynamically adjusts which streams are buffered based on real-time user behavior. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain reliability for anticipated switches while optimizing bandwidth usage by buffering only when user interaction indicates a likely channel change.
2Manufacturing precision
If high-resolution video content is delivered over network, then content quality is improved, but data transmission time and network load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads high-resolution video content into local buffer memory before the user actually requests or interacts with it. By detecting user interactions such as hovering over media options, the system anticipates which high-quality streams will be needed and begins buffering them in advance, reducing the actual transmission time when the user switches to that content.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own user interaction detection capabilities to automatically determine which high-resolution content to buffer next, without requiring external instructions. The detection of user behavior patterns allows the system to self-manage the buffering of high-quality content, optimizing the balance between maintaining content quality and minimizing transmission delays.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for early media buffering using prediction of user behavior. In accordance with an embodiment, a client device user interface displays a plurality of media options, each of which is associated with a corresponding media content, for example a media channel or video stream, that can be received from a media server system for playing at the device, or at a controlled device. While the user interacts with the user interface, media content associated with regions of the interface can be buffered in preparation for selection and subsequent playing. The client device can include a user interaction sensor, for example a motion, hand/proximity, or heat sensor, which detects when a user is about to interact with the device. The media server system can be triggered to buffer media content associated with one or more neighboring media options on the user interface, in preparation for selection and playing.