Adaptive Bitrate Multicast Streaming Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adaptive bitrate streaming systems face challenges in efficiently coordinating the delivery of multiple alternative streams over multicast networks, particularly in determining available bandwidth and switching between streams to ensure optimal quality playback.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a modified Session Description Protocol (SDP) message with additional fields to support adaptive bitrate streaming, allowing playback devices to measure bandwidth and switch between alternative streams by joining multicast groups using Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) and receiving bandwidth measurement data to select the appropriate stream based on available bandwidth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple alternative streams are delivered over multicast networks, then stream availability and quality options increase, but coordination complexity and bandwidth measurement difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestream availabilityVSAvoidcoordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the streaming content into multiple alternative streams with different bitrates, each delivered via separate multicast groups. This allows playback devices to independently select and switch between streams based on network conditions, resolving the contradiction by organizing complexity into manageable segments while maintaining high adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (session description protocol extensions and multicast group management) that coordinates between content sources and playback devices. This intermediary layer simplifies the coordination complexity by providing standardized interfaces for stream selection and switching, enabling multiple streams to be delivered efficiently without overwhelming complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If bandwidth measurement is performed to select optimal stream, then playback quality optimizes, but network traffic and measurement overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayback qualityVSAvoidnetwork traffic

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary bandwidth measurements before stream selection and caching decisions. By measuring bandwidth in advance and maintaining content caches based on these measurements, the system optimizes playback quality without requiring continuous measurements during playback, thereby reducing overall network traffic and measurement overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where playback devices report bandwidth measurements and stream selection preferences back to content sources. This feedback loop enables intelligent caching strategies and dynamic stream adaptation, optimizing playback quality while minimizing redundant network traffic through informed decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If stream switching is enabled between alternative streams, then adaptability to network conditions improves, but playback disruptions and switching complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork condition adaptabilityVSAvoidplayback continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs beforehand cushioning by maintaining content caches in playback devices before switching is needed. When network conditions change and stream switching is required, the pre-cached content ensures seamless transition without playback disruptions, resolving the contradiction by preparing cushioning content in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic stream switching capabilities that adapt to real-time network conditions. Playback devices can dynamically select between alternative streams based on current bandwidth availability, ensuring optimal adaptability while maintaining continuous playback through intelligent switching algorithms that minimize disruptions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If multicast groups are used for stream delivery, then network efficiency improves, but group management and joining overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidgroup management overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies universality by using standardized multicast group management protocols that can handle multiple alternative streams through a unified interface. This allows playback devices to join and manage multicast groups efficiently without requiring separate complex management mechanisms for each stream, maintaining network efficiency while reducing management overhead through multi-functional protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11178200B2Systems and methods for playing adaptive bitrate streaming content by multicast

Publication Date: 2021.11.16 DIVX LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for playing adaptive bitrate streaming content by multicast in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of receiving and playing back adaptive bitrate streaming content using a playback device includes receiving an adaptive streaming session description including information about a piece of adaptive streaming content and information for accessing a multicast session of the piece of adaptive streaming content using a playback device, receiving portions of a first alternative stream of the piece of adaptive streaming content sent to a first multicast group that includes the playback device using the playback device, computing a bandwidth measurement using the playback device, and switching to a second alternative stream of the piece of adaptive streaming content based upon the computed bandwidth measurement using the playback device.