MMTP De-capsulation Buffer Signaling and Dynamic Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) media transport (MMT) protocol does not define a method for removing data from an MMTP de-capsulation buffer, leading to potential buffer overflow or underflow issues in media data delivery over heterogeneous IP network environments.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an MMTP de-capsulation buffer operation and signaling mechanism, which includes calculating the initial delay and rate of data removal to prevent buffer overflow or underflow, is provided through a message that signals information required for buffer management, allowing for efficient data processing and presentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If data is continuously received and stored in the MMTP de-capsulation buffer, then the buffer occupancy increases, but buffer overflow occurs when the buffer becomes full

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuffer occupancyVSAvoidbuffer overflow prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the receiver buffer monitors its own occupancy level and uses this information to control data removal operations. When the buffer occupancy exceeds a threshold, the system activates data removal; when occupancy is sufficient, removal is suspended. This closed-loop feedback prevents overflow by dynamically adjusting buffer management based on real-time occupancy status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver buffer autonomously manages its own data removal operations without requiring external control signals. The buffer monitors its occupancy and automatically removes data when necessary, making the system self-regulating. This self-service approach enhances reliability by eliminating dependency on external buffer management control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Quantity of substance

If data is continuously removed from the MMTP de-capsulation buffer, then the buffer occupancy decreases, but buffer underflow occurs when the buffer becomes empty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuffer occupancyVSAvoidbuffer underflow prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback mechanism also prevents underflow by monitoring buffer occupancy from below. When occupancy drops to a threshold level, the system suspends data removal operations to preserve sufficient buffer content. This dynamic adjustment based on real-time occupancy feedback ensures the buffer never becomes empty, preventing underflow conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains a minimum buffer occupancy threshold as a safety cushion before underflow can occur. By proactively preventing buffer emptying through threshold-based control, the system creates a protective margin that ensures continuous operation without underflow, even during periods of high data removal activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the buffer size is increased to prevent overflow, then the buffer capacity increases, but the end-to-end delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuffer overflow preventionVSAvoidend-to-end delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static buffer size approach into a dynamic buffer management system. Instead of using a fixed large buffer that always occupies memory space and increases delay, the system dynamically adjusts the effective buffer usage based on real-time occupancy needs. The buffer size remains fixed, but the active buffer region varies dynamically, preventing both overflow and underflow while minimizing average delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of buffer management by introducing dynamic thresholds for data removal activation and suspension. These parameter adjustments allow the buffer to operate efficiently within its fixed capacity, preventing overflow without requiring increased buffer size, thus avoiding the associated delay penalty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of time

If the buffer size is decreased to reduce delay, then the end-to-end delay decreases, but buffer overflow becomes more likely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveend-to-end delayVSAvoidbuffer overflow prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback-based dynamic control allows smaller buffers to operate reliably by continuously monitoring occupancy and adjusting data removal operations accordingly. The system activates removal early when occupancy reaches a lower threshold, maximizing the utilization of available buffer space without exceeding capacity. This dynamic adaptation enables smaller buffers to prevent overflow effectively, reducing delay while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3127287B1Signaling and operation of an MMTP de-capsulation buffer
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3127287B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3127287B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3127287B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses for managing received data by a client device and indicating data removal management by a server. A method for managing received data by a client device includes receiving a message including information about a number of modes for removal of the data from a buffer at the client. The method also includes selecting a mode for removal of the data from the buffer with a maximum required buffer size among the modes indicated by the information about the modes in the received message and removing the data from the buffer based on the identified mode. A method for indicating data removal management by a server includes generating and sending a message including information about a number of modes for removal of received data from a buffer at a client device. The information indicates, for each of the modes, a type of mode for removal of the data.