Network Intermediary for Adaptive Bitrate Media Protocol
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current media protocols, such as adaptive bitrate technologies, are not optimized for mobile wireless networks and do not consider subscriber preferences, leading to unpredictable and undesirable bandwidth usage, which can result in high data consumption and poor user experience due to their client-focused approach and lack of consideration for network policies and resource limitations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that intercepts media protocol requests in a communication network using network-based and policy-based logic to modify bitrates based on subscriber preferences and network performance information, ensuring efficient and predictable media delivery by integrating mobile system information into the media protocol modification process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If client-focused media protocols are used to request media at specified bit rates, then media streaming functionality is provided, but data consumption becomes unpredictable and excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network-based intermediary system that intercepts media protocol requests between the client and media server. This intermediary modifies the requests by adjusting bit rates based on network performance information and subscriber preferences, thereby controlling data consumption while maintaining media streaming functionality. The intermediary acts as a mediator that reconciles client demands with network constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where network performance information is collected and fed back into the media protocol modification process. Subscriber preferences and network conditions are continuously monitored, and this feedback is used to dynamically adjust bit rate requests, ensuring predictable data consumption while maintaining acceptable media quality.
2Ease of operation
If media protocols operate without considering network policies and resource limitations, then client autonomy is maintained, but user experience deteriorates due to policy enforcement impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The network-based intermediary serves as a mediator that transparently handles policy enforcement and resource limitation considerations. Clients maintain their autonomous media requests without awareness of network constraints, while the intermediary translates these requests into policy-compliant form, ensuring reliable user experience by pre-adjusting for network conditions and subscriber preferences.
3Manufacturing precision
If adaptive bitrate technologies are used to optimize video delivery, then media quality improves, but bandwidth usage becomes unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from network performance monitoring and subscriber preference data to control adaptive bitrate decisions. Instead of purely client-driven adaptation that reacts to local conditions, the network provides feedback about actual network state and policy implications, enabling predictable bandwidth usage while maintaining media quality through coordinated adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies key parameters of the media protocol requests, particularly bit rate values, based on network performance information and subscriber preferences. By changing these parameters before requests reach the media server, the system achieves predictable bandwidth usage patterns while maintaining the quality optimization benefits of adaptive bitrate technology.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for modifying a media protocol based on subscriber and network performance information is disclosed. Media protocols such as adaptive bitrate protocol can adjust bit rates based on conditions perceived at the mobile device and with a goal of obtaining the highest bit rate possible. The media protocols residing on the mobile device do not have access to network performance information that can change rapidly and impact the experience at the mobile device. For example, congestion, radio air link interference, handoffs, and quality of service parameters can all impact the experience a user has when accessing media files from a mobile device. The requests made by a mobile device can be modified to take into account these factors to enhance the user experience.