Media Server Frame Throttling for Video Stream Bandwidth Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High bandwidth consumption and processing resource utilization in video streaming applications, particularly in video surveillance, result in degraded video performance and network latency due to high frame rates and resolutions, necessitating efficient bandwidth reduction without transcoding.
Innovation Solution
A video system with a media server that selectively throttles video streams based on user requests and network conditions, dropping frames to reduce bandwidth usage while maintaining MJPEG compliance, allowing for reduced frame rates in secondary displays without transcoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If video streams are transmitted at high frame rates and resolutions, then video quality is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video stream transmission by dividing it into multiple quality levels. The media server transmits video frames at different frame rates to different clients based on their network conditions and display capabilities, allowing high-quality transmission to capable clients while reducing bandwidth consumption for clients with limited network capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frame rate parameter of video streams dynamically. The media server adjusts the frame rate parameter based on network conditions, client capabilities, and display area size, transmitting at lower frame rates to reduce bandwidth consumption while maintaining acceptable video quality for the specific use case
2Measurement precision
If video streams are transmitted at high frame rates, then video quality is improved, but processing resource utilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the necessary portion of video frames at high frame rates. Instead of transmitting all frames at full resolution and frame rate to all clients, the server transmits reduced frame rate streams to clients that don't require high frame rates, thereby reducing processing resource utilization while maintaining video quality for clients that need it
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frame rate parameter based on client-specific requirements. By adjusting this parameter dynamically for different clients and display scenarios, the system reduces processing resource utilization by avoiding unnecessary high-frame-rate transmissions to clients that cannot utilize or display high frame rates
3Quantity of substance
If throttling is applied to reduce bandwidth, then network bandwidth consumption is reduced, but video playback consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the media server proactively manage frame transmission and buffering before playback issues occur. The server pre-processes video streams, applies appropriate frame rate adjustments, and manages transmission timing to ensure consistent playback, rather than reacting to playback issues after they arise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the media server monitors network conditions, client capabilities, and playback status, then adjusts frame rate and transmission parameters accordingly. This closed-loop control maintains video playback consistency even when throttling is applied to reduce bandwidth consumption
4Measurement precision
If high frame rate video streams are transmitted, then video quality is improved, but network latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frame rate parameter to reduce network latency. By transmitting at lower frame rates when high frame rates are not necessary, the system reduces the amount of data transmitted over the network, thereby reducing network latency while maintaining acceptable video quality for the specific application scenario
Data Source
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AI summary
A video system (100) includes one or more media sources (105) and a media server (130) configured to communicate with a video viewing device (150) through a network (170). The media server (130) includes memory (134) and a processor (132) configured to perform operations. The operations include receiving a video stream (112) from the one or more media sources (105), where the video stream (112) includes a plurality of image frames (302, 304). The operations also include determining whether throttling is enabled for the video stream (112). Based on determining that throttling is enabled, one or more of the image frames (302, 304) of the video stream (112) are dropped until a predetermined condition is met and one of the image frames (302, 304) from the media server (130) is transmitted through the network (170) to the video viewing device (150) after the predetermined condition is met. Based on determining that throttling is disabled, the image frames (302, 304) are transmitted from the media server (130) through the network (170) to the video viewing device (150).