IPTV Pause Resumption Offset Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IPTV systems experience a noticeable gap or 'jump' when resuming a paused live TV broadcast from a multicast stream to a unicast stream, due to inaccurate offset calculations caused by network delays, leading to an abrupt transition that disrupts the viewing experience.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus where user equipment obtains an indicator of the pause time and sends it to a control server, which calculates an accurate offset value and returns a file location address, allowing seamless resumption of the media stream from the exact pause point, eliminating the gap between the multicast and unicast streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If network time-shift is used to resume a paused live broadcast by switching from multicast to unicast stream, then the user can resume viewing the program later, but a gap or jump occurs between the pause position in the live program and the restart position in the recorded program
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by obtaining the pause time indicator and calculating the offset value before the user actually resumes the program. The file location address and offset value are prepared in advance and stored, so when the user presses play, the system can immediately retrieve the recorded stream from the exact pause position without any gap or jump.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the actual playback position and comparing it with the expected position based on the offset value. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect and correct any drift between the multicast and unicast streams, ensuring seamless transition and accurate resume position.
2Device complexity
If the offset value is calculated without considering network delay, then the calculation is simple, but the resume position is inaccurate causing a perceivable jump
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary compensation value that accounts for network delay in the offset calculation. Instead of directly using the pause time indicator, the system adds a compensation value derived from network delay measurements to obtain a corrected offset value. This intermediary element bridges the gap between the simple pause time indicator and the accurate resume position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter used for offset calculation by incorporating network delay compensation. The offset value is no longer based solely on the pause time indicator but is adjusted by adding a compensation value that accounts for network transmission delays, thereby improving accuracy without significantly increasing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a still picture is displayed during pause to provide visual feedback, then the user can see the paused frame, but the transition back to moving image creates an abrupt jump perception
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading and buffering the recorded stream data corresponding to the pause position before the user resumes. This ensures that when the transition from still picture to moving image occurs, the data is already ready and synchronized, eliminating any abrupt jump or gap in the visual output.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by keeping the recorded stream active and synchronized even during the pause period. Instead of completely stopping the stream processing, the system continues to buffer and prepare the data, ensuring seamless continuity when the user resumes viewing, thus eliminating abrupt transitions.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatuses in a user equipment (300) and a control server (302) for enabling resumption of a paused media information stream sent in a live broadcast (3:1) of a TV program. When a user has paused (3:2) the broadcasted media information stream, the user equipment sends to the control server a request message (3:4) comprising an indicator of the time of pause. The control server then calculates (3:5) an offset value indicating a pause point in the media information stream where the pause occurred, based on the received indicator. The control server sends an answer message (3:6) comprising a file location address of a recorded version of the TV program and the calculated offset value, to the user equipment. The user equipment can then resume the media information stream (3:7, 3:8) from said pause point based on the received file location address and offset value. Thereby, any gap or jump in the resumed TV program due to inaccurate offset can be minimised or avoided.