Network Node Streaming Quality Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HTTP Adaptive Bitrate Streaming technologies do not efficiently manage network bandwidth, leading to potential overutilization and impact on other network services, especially in wireless communications networks, as they rely on client requests without network signaling.
Innovation Solution
A node in a content distribution network monitors the number of client devices streaming the same content and adjusts the quality and bandwidth of the stream accordingly, increasing quality when a threshold of clients is reached, thereby optimizing bandwidth use without overburdening the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If HTTP Adaptive Bitrate Streaming allows clients to request the best available stream independently, then client streaming quality is improved, but network bandwidth utilization deteriorates due to overutilization and impact on other services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network node monitors the number of clients streaming the same content and uses this information to dynamically adjust the manifest file. When multiple clients are streaming identical content, the system receives feedback about this condition and responds by increasing the available bandwidth allocation for that content, thereby resolving the contradiction between individual client quality demands and overall network bandwidth utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of bandwidth allocation dynamically based on the number of clients streaming the same content. The manifest file is edited to modify the bandwidth parameter information, allowing the system to adapt bandwidth allocation from a static client-request-driven model to a dynamic network-optimized model that considers content popularity and network conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the network does not control streaming bandwidth, then client device autonomy is improved, but network resource efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a network node that acts as a mediator between clients and content servers. This intermediary monitors streaming patterns, edits manifest files to control bandwidth allocation, and coordinates content distribution without requiring direct client-network signaling for quality selection. The intermediary preserves client autonomy in initiating streams while improving network resource efficiency through centralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the streaming control function into separate components: client devices initiate and receive streams autonomously, while network nodes monitor and control bandwidth allocation through manifest file editing. This segmentation allows client autonomy to be maintained at the device level while network resource efficiency is improved at the network level through centralized manifest management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple clients stream different content simultaneously, then content diversity is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple client requests for the same content into a single optimized stream allocation. When multiple clients request identical or similar content, the system merges their bandwidth requirements into a single allocation decision reflected in the manifest file, rather than treating each request separately. This reduces redundant bandwidth consumption while maintaining content diversity for different content requests.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a node in a content distribution network, the node arranged to distribute content to a plurality of clients. The node comprises a client monitor and a quality module. The client monitor identifies how many clients are streaming the same content. The quality module is arranged to increase the streamed quality of content when a plurality of clients greater than a threshold value stream the same content.