Multiplexing Multimedia Data Segments by Quality and Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data networks face challenges in efficiently distributing multimedia content to a large number of resource-limited portable devices, as existing technologies struggle to balance service customization with bandwidth constraints, leading to inefficiencies in content delivery.
Innovation Solution
A multiplexing system that combines multimedia data segments with quality and rate information, allowing for resizing of data segments to fit within available bandwidth by selecting segments to be resized based on quality and rate information, ensuring efficient transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multimedia content is distributed to a large number of portable devices, then service coverage is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases and quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments multimedia content into multiple data segments with different quality levels and bit rate requirements. The multiplex module receives these segmented data flows and selectively transmits them based on available bandwidth, allowing the system to serve multiple devices simultaneously while adapting to bandwidth constraints by transmitting lower-quality segments when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the quality and bit rate parameters of data segments dynamically. The multiplex module adjusts transmission parameters based on available bandwidth, selecting which segments to transmit and at what quality level, thereby enabling service coverage expansion without proportionally increasing bandwidth consumption.
2Productivity
If data segments are resized to fit available bandwidth, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but data quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-segmenting multimedia content into multiple quality levels before transmission. The multiplex module then selects appropriate segments based on available bandwidth, avoiding the need for on-the-fly resizing that would degrade quality. This preliminary segmentation allows efficient bandwidth utilization while preserving quality where possible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different quality levels to different data segments. The multiplex module can transmit high-quality segments when bandwidth is available and lower-quality segments when bandwidth is constrained, thereby achieving good overall bandwidth utilization without uniformly degrading all data quality.
3Productivity
If quality and rate information is collected and processed, then transmission efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having encoder modules automatically generate and attach quality and rate information to their data segments. The multiplex module then uses this information to make autonomous transmission decisions without requiring complex external control systems, thereby improving transmission efficiency while limiting the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where quality and rate information flows from encoder modules to the multiplex module, enabling the multiplex module to adjust transmission decisions based on this feedback. This structured feedback loop improves transmission efficiency while keeping system complexity manageable through defined information exchange protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, this disclosure describes techniques for exchanging information between a plurality of encoder modules and a multiplex module to combine segments of data from the encoder modules with an improved overall quality. In particular, the encoder modules associate their respective segments of data with quality and rate information and send at least the quality and rate information associated with the segments of data to the multiplex module. The multiplex module analyzes the quality and rate information to determine whether the segments of data that encoder modules desire to include in the current superframe fit within the available bandwidth of a transmission channel. If the multiplex module determines the plurality of segments of data do not fit within the available bandwidth, the multiplex module selects one or more of the segments to be resized based on the quality and rate information received from the encoder modules.