Multi-CDN Streaming Parallel Connection Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital content streaming techniques often rely on single network connections, which can be affected by poor network conditions, leading to delayed or prevented playback and suboptimal network throughput, limiting the ability to stream higher quality content.
Innovation Solution
The method involves optimizing multiple parallel network connections by determining network performance for each connection, dropping underperforming connections, and establishing new ones to maximize throughput, while mapping content servers to content buffers based on performance to ensure efficient streaming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single network connection is used for digital content streaming, then the system complexity is low, but the network throughput is limited and playback may be delayed or prevented under poor network conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the digital content stream into multiple segments and transmits them through multiple parallel network connections simultaneously. Each connection carries a portion of the content, allowing the system to aggregate bandwidth from multiple connections to achieve higher overall throughput while maintaining manageable complexity through modular connection management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple network connections into a unified streaming system that aggregates their collective bandwidth. By merging the capacity of multiple connections, the system achieves throughput levels unattainable with a single connection while using coordination mechanisms to manage the combined resource pool efficiently
2Productivity
If multiple parallel network connections are established to maximize throughput, then the network throughput and streaming quality improve, but the system complexity and connection management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the performance of each parallel network connection and use this information to dynamically adjust content allocation. The system measures throughput, latency, and error rates for each connection, then feeds this data back to the content distribution logic to optimize real-time performance while automating management decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic connection management system that can establish, modify, and terminate parallel network connections based on real-time network conditions and content requirements. The system adapts the number and configuration of active connections dynamically, allowing optimal throughput while managing complexity through automated adaptation rather than static configuration
3Productivity
If underperforming network connections are maintained to preserve connection stability, then the system stability is high, but the overall network throughput and streaming quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the performance parameters of active network connections dynamically by adjusting content allocation based on measured connection quality. When connections degrade, the system modifies transmission parameters such as bitrate allocation and content segment distribution to maintain optimal throughput from remaining healthy connections while preparing for potential failover
4Productivity
If content is streamed from a single content server to simplify system architecture, then the device complexity is low, but the network throughput and streaming quality are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the content delivery function across multiple content servers, with each server responsible for specific content segments or quality levels. This segmentation allows parallel content retrieval from multiple servers simultaneously, multiplying the effective throughput while keeping each individual server-simple and the overall architecture modular and manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal content delivery system where multiple content servers provide identical or complementary content functions. Each server can serve multiple content types and quality levels, and the system can route requests to any available server based on performance metrics, achieving high throughput through functional redundancy and multi-functionality
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for optimizing a plurality of parallel network connections for a digital content stream through a network between a plurality of content servers and a content player. Embodiments determine an indication of network performance for each of the plurality of parallel network connections. Additionally, upon determining that a first one the plurality of parallel network connections is underperforming, based on whether the indication of network performance associated with the first parallel network connection satisfies a threshold level of performance, the first parallel network connection is dropped. Upon determining that a total throughput for the digital content stream is less than a minimum threshold of network performance, embodiments select a content server with which to establish a new parallel network connection, based on historical network performance data associated with the selected content server, and also establishing the new parallel network connection to the selected content server.