Media Streaming Path Selection via Simultaneous Cost Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in configuring devices on local area networks to establish stable connections for media streaming, particularly with devices like IP cameras, due to network address translation (NAT) and lack of administrative access, leading to frustration and inefficiency in establishing connections.
Innovation Solution
A media streaming system that simultaneously measures and compares four connection modes (local, remote, peer-to-peer, and proxy-assisted paths) to select the best network path by obtaining connection information from a registrar server, allowing devices to passively accept connections and register with broker and proxy servers for optimal media streaming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a device is placed on a local area network (LAN) behind NAT, then the device can be protected from direct external access and maintain network security, but the device cannot passively accept connections from outside the LAN without complex configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay server as an intermediary component that facilitates connections between devices on different networks. The relay server receives connection requests from external devices and forwards them to the target device on the LAN, eliminating the need for complex port forwarding or administrative access to router/firewall configurations. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining network security (devices remain behind NAT) while enabling easy external access through the intermediary server.
2Reliability
If multiple connection modes are tested sequentially to find the best network path, then the most optimal connection can be selected, but significant time is wasted attempting connection modes one by one
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the client device simultaneously initiate multiple connection attempts through different modes (direct connection, relay server connection, etc.) at the same time rather than sequentially. The system pre-prepares multiple potential connection paths and activates them concurrently, then selects the successful or best-performing connection. This approach eliminates the time waste of sequential testing while ensuring optimal connection selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the connection establishment process adaptive and flexible. Instead of following a fixed sequential order, the system dynamically evaluates multiple connection modes in parallel and adapts to select the best available path based on real-time conditions. The connection strategy changes dynamically based on which mode succeeds or performs best, rather than being constrained by a predetermined sequence.
3Ease of operation
If port forwarding and administrative access to router/firewall are required for device accessibility, then external devices can directly access the device on LAN, but the complexity of configuration increases significantly for average users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a relay server as an intermediary that eliminates the need for users to configure port forwarding or access router/firewall settings. The relay server handles all the complex networking infrastructure requirements, allowing devices to be accessed externally through the server without any changes to the local network configuration. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simplicity for users while achieving device accessibility through the intermediary service.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically managing connection establishment without requiring user intervention in complex configuration tasks. The client device simply provides its identifier to the relay server, and the server automatically handles the connection setup, authentication, and data transmission. This eliminates the need for users to perform complex port forwarding configurations while maintaining full accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein, among others, is a media streaming system, comprising a registrar server, a media stream providing device, and a media stream receiving device. The registrar server is configured to register a piece of connection information associated with the media stream providing device, the connection information comprising a local network location, a public network location, a broker location, and a proxy location. The media stream receiving device is configured to obtain the connection information from the registrar server, and to commence measuring simultaneously, based on the aforementioned locations, first, second, third, and fourth costs for connecting to the media stream providing device via a local path, a remote path, a peer-to-peer path, and a proxy-assisted path, respectively. The media stream receiving device then selects one of those paths based on the measured costs.