Selective Blocking for IPTV Media Fragment Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In IPTV systems, the existing methods for distributing media over P2P or redundant networks lead to unnecessary data transmission, reducing effective bandwidth due to the 'give me everything' strategy, which is inefficient for real-time data transfer.
Innovation Solution
A selective blocking mechanism is implemented to block data transmission based on specific criteria, such as sequence numbers or types of media fragments, to optimize data flow and reduce redundant data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all media fragments are transmitted to ensure complete data delivery, then data completeness is improved, but network bandwidth utilization deteriorates due to redundant transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The media stream is divided into multiple fragments with sequence numbers. The receiving node requests only specific fragments it needs (e.g., fragments it hasn't received or can't reconstruct), rather than requesting all fragments from all sources. This segmentation allows selective transmission that maintains data completeness while reducing redundant bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of transmitting all media fragments from all sources (excessive action), the system transmits only the partial set of fragments that are actually needed by the receiving node. The receiving node can request specific fragments based on its buffer state and reconstruction needs, avoiding unnecessary transmissions while ensuring complete data delivery.
2Reliability
If multiple remote nodes transmit all media fragments to the requesting node, then data availability is improved, but network traffic increases reducing effective bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
Each remote node transmits media fragments with different local qualities or characteristics (e.g., different sequence numbers, different types of frames). The receiving node selectively requests fragments from specific sources based on local needs, allowing each node to contribute its unique data without redundant transmissions. This local quality differentiation maintains data availability while optimizing network traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
Remote nodes transmit only the partial set of fragments that the receiving node needs, rather than all fragments. The receiving node can identify which fragments are missing or needed for reconstruction and request only those specific fragments from appropriate sources, avoiding excessive transmissions while ensuring data availability.
3Reliability
If the system requests all media fragments from all sources, then data completeness is ensured, but transmission time increases due to processing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving node performs preliminary assessment of its buffer state and identifies which fragments are needed before requesting data. It can pre-calculate which sequence numbers are missing or needed for reconstruction, and request only those specific fragments upfront, avoiding the time-consuming process of receiving and then filtering through all fragments from all sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system requests only the partial set of fragments that are actually needed rather than all fragments. This reduces the total transmission time while ensuring data completeness, as the receiving node can identify its specific needs and request only those fragments from appropriate sources.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for obtaining a real time media stream provided as a plurality of media fragments from a plurality of remote nodes in a communications network is described. Media fragments are requested from the plurality of remote nodes. A series of media fragments is received from at least one of the plurality of remote nodes. A selection criterion is determined for identifying the series of data fragments, and a blocking request is sent to at least one other of the plurality of remote nodes, the blocking request instructing the at least one other node to block the media fragments satisfying the selection criterion from being sent.