Layered Multimedia Transmission Asynchronous Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multimedia streaming systems face buffer underruns due to insufficient network resources, leading to interruptions in service quality, especially in wireless channels with varying conditions, and inefficient packet scheduling in scalable video coding.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism for asynchronous transmission of layered encoded multimedia signals using channel and content-aware scheduling, where packet prioritization is applied before scheduling, allowing for efficient use of receiver buffers and exploiting less stringent packet expiry deadlines, with a client feedback mechanism to manage asynchronous data streams effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If synchronous transmission of layered encoded multimedia signals is used, then transmission coordination is simplified, but buffer underruns occur due to insufficient network resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission coordination complexityVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The multimedia signal is segmented into multiple layers (base layer and enhancement layers), allowing independent transmission and reception. The base layer can be received and played back even when enhancement layers are lost, preventing buffer underruns and ensuring service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission system dynamically adapts to varying network conditions by adjusting which layers are transmitted and received. When network resources are sufficient, enhancement layers are transmitted for higher quality; when resources are constrained, only the base layer is transmitted to maintain continuous playback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If higher enhancement layers are transmitted to improve quality, then picture quality increases, but network resources are consumed faster causing buffer underruns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepicture qualityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the multimedia signal (different layers) are transmitted with different priorities and quality levels. The base layer is transmitted with high reliability to ensure continuous playback, while enhancement layers are transmitted conditionally based on available network resources, optimizing the trade-off between quality and bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes transmission parameters (which layers to transmit, transmission rates) based on real-time network conditions and receiver buffer status. When bandwidth is abundant, more enhancement layers are transmitted; when bandwidth is constrained, transmission shifts to base layer only, preventing buffer underruns while adapting picture quality to available resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If all layers are transmitted simultaneously to maximize quality, then service quality is optimized, but transmission efficiency decreases under resource constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of transmitting all layers simultaneously, the system transmits only the necessary portion (base layer) when resources are constrained, and adds enhancement layers when resources are abundant. This partial action approach ensures transmission efficiency under resource constraints while maintaining the capability to provide full quality when resources permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver provides feedback about buffer status and reception conditions to the transmitter. Based on this feedback, the transmitter adjusts which layers to transmit next, optimizing transmission efficiency by avoiding transmission of layers that would not be received or would cause buffer underruns, while maintaining service quality when conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2194716B1Apparatus, method and system for transmission of layered encoded multimedia signals
Publication Date: 2018.05.16 NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2194716B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2194716B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2194716B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention refers to an apparatus, method and system for transmission of layered encoded multimedia signals, wherein a separator (1) separates a layered encoded multimedia signal (MS) in a base layer data stream (P) and at least one enhancement layer data stream (Q, R), each data stream including a plurality of data packets (Pxy, Qxy, Rxy) having a content sequence index. A memory (2P, 2Q, 2R) buffers the data packets of the base layer stream (P) and the at least one enhancement layer data stream (Q, R), and a scheduler (3) schedules the buffered data packets (Pxy, Qxy, Rxy) into an asynchronous data stream on the basis of a first content sequence index (CSI1), wherein data packets of said at least one enhancement layer data stream (Q, R) having a content sequence index lower than said first content sequence index (CSI1) are discarded.