Media Pipeline Buffer Switching for Burst-Loss Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices with limited processing and caching capabilities face challenges in transmitting streaming media content without data loss during burst conditions, particularly in placeshifting devices with low processing power and memory speed.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a buffer management system using a cache-level memory buffer and a message queue, where a producer thread writes media segments to the buffer and addresses to the queue, switching between copy reference and copy data modes based on queue thresholds to optimize data ingestion and prevent loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a buffer management system uses copy reference mode to write addresses to message queue, then processing speed is improved and computing resources are conserved, but data loss risk increases during burst conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between copy reference mode and copy data mode based on the number of addresses in the message queue relative to buffer capacity. When the queue has sufficient addresses (>= buffer capacity), it uses copy reference mode for fast processing. When the queue is nearly full (< buffer capacity), it switches to copy data mode to prevent data loss, thus adapting the operation mode to current system state
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter of the buffer management system by switching between two distinct modes: copy reference mode (writing only addresses) and copy data mode (writing actual data). This parameter change allows the system to optimize between speed and reliability based on real-time conditions
2Reliability
If a buffer management system uses copy data mode to write segments to message queue, then data loss is prevented during burst conditions, but computing resources and processing speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between copy reference mode and copy data mode based on the number of addresses in the message queue relative to buffer capacity. When the queue has sufficient addresses (>= buffer capacity), it uses copy reference mode for fast processing. When the queue is nearly full (< buffer capacity), it switches to copy data mode to prevent data loss, thus adapting the operation mode to current system state
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of always using the resource-intensive copy data mode, the system applies partial action by using copy reference mode when conditions permit (sufficient queue depth), and only employs copy data mode when necessary (queue nearly full). This reduces overall resource consumption while maintaining reliability when needed
3Reliability
If placeshifting devices increase processing power and caching capacity, then data loss during burst conditions is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operational parameter of the buffer management system by switching between two distinct modes: copy reference mode (writing only addresses) and copy data mode (writing actual data). This parameter change allows the system to optimize between speed and reliability based on real-time conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system selectively copies data to the message queue only when necessary (in copy data mode when queue depth is low), rather than always copying. This selective copying approach prevents data loss while minimizing the need for large buffer capacities and high processing power
Data Source
AI summary
Automated processes, computing systems, computing devices, and other aspects of a data processing system improve reliability in transmitting digital media content over a network using resource constrained hardware. Media content may be received from a media source and used to generate data segments. A reference to a first segment of the media content stored in the buffer is written to a message queue. A computing device switches into copy data mode in response to the number of references in the buffer being greater than or equal to a first threshold value. A second segment of the media content is written directly to the message queue.