Intermediate Node Buffer Discard for Streaming Quality Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication networks, especially cellular networks, intermediate nodes buffer data packets for streaming content, leading to unnecessary network load when the client switches to a lower quality level, as both higher and lower quality level chunks continue to consume resources, causing congestion and reducing throughput.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate node in the network detects when a streaming client switches to a different quality level by monitoring data traffic and discards buffered chunks of the higher quality level no longer required, preventing unnecessary transmission and resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the intermediate node continues transmitting buffered higher quality level chunks after the client switches to a lower quality level, then the client can receive all available content, but unnecessary network load increases and congestion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate node performs preliminary actions by detecting quality level switches before transmitting unnecessary data. When the client switches from a higher to a lower quality level, the intermediate node proactively identifies this change and discards buffered chunks of the higher quality level before they can be transmitted, preventing unnecessary network load from accumulating.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate node applies the discarding principle by eliminating buffered content that is no longer needed by the client. When a quality level switch is detected, the node discards the higher quality level chunks that are stored in its buffer, removing unnecessary data that would otherwise consume network resources and cause congestion.
2Reliability
If the intermediate node buffers data packets for streaming content, then delivery continuity is improved, but resource utilization increases when quality level switching occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate node performs preliminary detection of quality level switches by monitoring client requests and control messages. This preliminary action allows the node to identify when buffered content will become unnecessary before it is transmitted, enabling timely discarding of higher quality level chunks and preventing wasted resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate node discards buffered higher quality level chunks when quality level switching is detected, eliminating unnecessary resource utilization. This discarding action maintains delivery continuity for the lower quality level content while freeing up buffer and network resources that would otherwise be wasted on transmitting content the client no longer needs.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the client switches to a lower quality level in response to radio link degradation, then streaming continuity is maintained, but both quality levels consume network resources simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate node uses feedback from client quality level switch events to adjust its transmission behavior. When the client switches to a lower quality level due to radio link degradation, the intermediate node receives this feedback through modified chunk requests and control messages, then responds by discarding higher quality level buffered content to prevent simultaneous transmission of both quality levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate node discards higher quality level chunks from its buffer when quality level switching is detected, eliminating unnecessary network resource consumption. This ensures that only the lower quality level content requested by the client is transmitted, maintaining streaming continuity while optimizing resource utilization during radio link degradation events.
Data Source
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AI summary
A node (100) of a communication network receives streamed content in chunks of a given quality level from a streaming server (200). The node (100) buffers the received chunks and forwards at least some of the buffered chunks to a streaming client (10). In response to detecting that no further chunks of the given quality level are required by the streaming client (10), the node (100) discards those of the chunks of the given quality level which are not yet forwarded to the streaming client (10).