Media Flow Grouping for Fair QoE Network Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network resource allocation methods for media streaming result in unfair quality of experience (QoE) among end-users due to heterogeneous network bandwidth and lack of communication between network providers and over-the-top providers, leading to unequal sharing of network resources.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine media content characteristics to group media flows into similar QoE categories, allocating separate network resource pools to these groups to ensure fair sharing and maintain consistent QoE without requiring client-side modifications or increased network overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If network bandwidth is divided equally among competing clients using traditional transport algorithms, then network resource allocation is simplified, but quality of experience (QoE) fairness among end-users deteriorates due to heterogeneous network conditions and different media content characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments media flows into different groups based on media content characteristics (e.g., video vs. audio, different bitrate requirements). Each group is then allocated network resources independently through separate QoS parameters, allowing differentiated treatment that achieves QoE fairness while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic classification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different QoS parameters (priority, bandwidth guarantees, latency constraints) to different media flow groups based on their specific content characteristics. This allows each group to receive locally optimized resource allocation tailored to its requirements, achieving overall QoE fairness without requiring complete redesign of the entire network allocation system
2Reliability
If individual quality of service (QoS) is enforced for each network flow to achieve fair QoE sharing, then QoE fairness among end-users improves, but network overhead and system complexity increase due to the need for communication between network provider and over-the-top provider
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the QoS enforcement function into the network provider's existing infrastructure by implementing media flow classification and QoS parameter assignment at the network edge (e.g., gateway or router). This consolidation eliminates the need for separate communication protocols and coordination mechanisms between network provider and over-the-top provider, reducing system complexity while maintaining QoE fairness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables media flows to self-identify their content characteristics (e.g., through metadata or classification algorithms at the network edge) and automatically receive appropriate QoS parameters without requiring manual configuration or negotiation with the network provider. This self-service approach reduces overhead by eliminating complex inter-provider communication while achieving fair QoE allocation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses and computer programs are disclosed. The method of allocating network resources to a plurality of media flows in a communications network, the method comprising the steps of: determining a media content characteristic for the plurality of media flows; partitioning the plurality of media flows into one or more media flow groups based on the media content characteristic; initiating allocation of a separate network resource pool to the one or more media flow groups to be used by media flows belonging to respective media flow group.