Power Efficient Multimedia Streaming via Adaptive Segment Duration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Media streaming over wireless networks to mobile devices is inefficient due to high power consumption, primarily because of the resource management protocols that maintain power levels even when no data is being transmitted, leading to increased battery drain in devices like smartphones.
Innovation Solution
Implementing the power aware K-push mechanism and power aware segment duration mechanism, which reduce the number of HTTP requests by requesting multiple media segments in a single request and adjusting segment durations based on current conditions, allowing the device to enter an idle state and conserve power while maintaining adaptive streaming capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the client individually requests each media segment using HTTP, then the adaptive streaming capability is maintained, but the number of requests increases leading to higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media content into multiple media segments and implements a K-push mechanism where the server pushes K segments to the client in a single HTTP request. This segmentation approach reduces the number of HTTP requests from K to 1, significantly lowering power consumption while maintaining the ability to adaptively stream content by selecting appropriate segments based on network conditions and client capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically determines the value of K (number of segments to push) based on current network conditions, client buffer state, and power consumption requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between power savings and adaptive streaming capability, pushing more segments when power is abundant and network conditions are good, and fewer segments when power is constrained
2Use of energy by moving object
If the media segment duration is extended to reduce the number of requests, then power consumption is reduced, but the adaptive streaming capability is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of media segment duration dynamically based on streaming conditions. Instead of using fixed-duration segments, the system adjusts segment duration to optimize the balance between power consumption and adaptive streaming, allowing longer segments when adaptation is less critical and shorter segments when rapid adaptation is needed
3Reliability
If the resource management protocol maintains power levels during transmission, then reliable data delivery is ensured, but battery power is drained excessively when no data is being transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple media segment transmissions into a single HTTP request-response cycle using the K-push mechanism. By combining K segments into one transmission event, the wireless radio interface maintains power levels for only one sustained period rather than K separate periods, significantly reducing total energy consumption while ensuring reliable delivery of all K segments through a single protocol-handled transaction
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for influencing power consumption of a client while streaming multimedia content from a server over a network are described. The power consumption is influenced by controlling how many requests are used by the client to receive media segments of the multimedia content from the server. For example, the number of requests is reduced by increasing the durations of the available media segments. Thus, rather than requesting a certain number of media segments each of a particular duration, a lower number of media segments is requested where the requested media segments have longer durations. Although a longer duration generally results in a larger power saving, the length of a requested media segment is balanced against other parameters associated with current conditions of the client, server, and/or network to allow for, for example, adaptive streaming. As such an optimum duration is determined based on different parameters associated with the current conditions.