Media Guidance Application Buffering Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional media systems lack efficient media retrieval methods that consider user preferences and technical limitations, leading to inappropriate content exposure and inefficient bandwidth usage.

Innovation Solution

The system prioritizes buffering media segments based on higher bit rates before lower bit rates and removes unused segments from the manifest file to optimize bandwidth usage, using a media guidance application that considers user content rating preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional media systems retrieve and buffer all media segments in order, then complete content is available for playback, but bandwidth is wasted on inappropriate content and high-bitrate segments cause buffering delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent delivery efficiencyVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the manifest file to identify segments that match user preferences and technical constraints before actual playback. By pre-determining which segments to buffer based on bitrate thresholds and content ratings, the system avoids wasting bandwidth on inappropriate or unnecessary content while ensuring high-priority segments are ready for immediate playback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The media asset is divided into segments with different bitrates, and the system selectively buffers only certain segments based on user preferences and network conditions. This segmentation allows the system to optimize bandwidth usage by retrieving lower-bitrate segments first for immediate playback while deferring or excluding higher-bitrate segments that would cause buffering delays or are inappropriate for the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the system buffers high bitrate segments first, then playback quality is improved, but bandwidth conditions may worsen causing buffering delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent qualityVSAvoidplayback continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts segment retrieval priorities based on real-time network conditions and user preferences. Instead of statically prioritizing high-bitrate segments, the system flexibly adapts the buffering strategy by considering current bandwidth availability, ensuring that playback quality is maintained without causing buffering delays when network conditions deteriorate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the bitrate parameter threshold for segment selection based on network conditions and user preferences. By adjusting which bitrate levels are considered acceptable for buffering, the system can maintain content quality within the first threshold when bandwidth is sufficient, while automatically switching to lower quality thresholds when bandwidth conditions worsen to prevent playback interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system retrieves all segments regardless of user preferences, then complete content is available, but inappropriate content is exposed and bandwidth is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent availabilityVSAvoidinappropriate content exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and removes segments that do not match user preferences or content rating criteria from the manifest file before initiating playback. By filtering out inappropriate content segments based on user-defined content ratings and preferences, the system ensures that only appropriate content is retrieved and buffered, preventing exposure to harmful or unwanted material while conserving bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses user preferences and content rating information as feedback to guide segment selection. By continuously referencing user-defined criteria during the manifest file processing and segment retrieval phases, the system adapts its content selection to ensure appropriateness while maintaining adaptability to different user profiles and preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Stability of the object's composition

If the system buffers segments in chronological order, then playback sequence is maintained, but high bitrate segments cause stalling and poor resolution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayback sequenceVSAvoidplayback smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary ordering of segments based on bitrate thresholds and user preferences before actual playback begins. By pre-arranging the segment buffer queue to prioritize segments that match user preferences and are appropriate for current network conditions, the system ensures smooth playback without stalling while maintaining the correct playback sequence through careful queue management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250159036A1Systems and methods for improving quality of service while streaming code-agnostic content

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 ADEIA GUIDES INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are described for a media guidance application (e.g., implemented on a user device) that improves quality of service while streaming code-agnostic content by optimizing buffering based on bit rate.