Encoding Ladder Simulation for QoE and Storage Tradeoffs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video streaming technologies generate encoding ladders that result in sub-optimal streaming quality of experience (QoE) and storage footprint tradeoffs due to sequential enforcement of ladder constraints, missing opportunities to select encoded videos that satisfy multiple constraints simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that formulates encoding ladder generation as a constrained optimization problem, using simulation-based techniques to concurrently account for multiple ladder constraints, optimizing the tradeoff between streaming QoE and storage footprint by identifying and exploiting opportunities for a single encoded video to satisfy multiple constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ladder constraints are enforced sequentially using heuristics, then the encoding ladder can be constructed incrementally, but the streaming QoE/storage footprint tradeoff becomes sub-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the encoding ladder generation from a sequential heuristic process to a constrained optimization problem, changing the fundamental parameter of the generation approach. By formulating the problem with objective functions that quantify streaming QoE and storage footprint, and using optimization algorithms to find the optimal balance between these competing goals, the system achieves superior tradeoffs compared to sequential constraint enforcement.
2Reliability
If multiple encoded videos are added to satisfy different ladder constraints, then all constraints are met, but the storage footprint increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a single encoded video to serve multiple ladder constraints simultaneously through the optimization framework. By evaluating whether one video can satisfy multiple constraints at once, the system reduces the total number of encoded videos needed in the encoding ladder, thereby decreasing storage footprint while maintaining full constraint satisfaction.
3Quantity of substance
If a single encoded video is selected to satisfy multiple constraints, then storage footprint is reduced, but finding such videos requires complex optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary optimization framework that mediates between the conflicting goals of minimizing storage footprint and satisfying multiple constraints. The constrained optimization problem acts as an intermediary mechanism that systematically evaluates encoded videos against multiple constraints and identifies optimal selections, making the complex task of finding multi-constraint-satisfying videos manageable and systematic.
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a simulation evaluation application generates a first streaming header based on rungs of a first candidate encoding ladder, where each rung specifies a resolution and a bitrate of a different encoded video. The simulation evaluation application executes an adaptive bitrate algorithm on the first streaming header based on a network throughput trace to determine a first value for a metric that is relevant to quality of experience. The simulation evaluation application generates a second streaming header based on a second candidate encoding ladder. The simulation evaluation application executes the adaptive bitrate algorithm on the second streaming header based on the network throughput trace to determine a second value for the first metric. The simulation evaluation application compares the first value to the second value to determine that the first candidate encoding ladder instead of the second candidate encoding ladder should be used to stream the media title.