P2P Data Request Scheduling for Live Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing P2P network technologies are not suitable for live streaming content due to their relatively long response times and lack of time-sensitivity, making them unsuitable for applications like real-time media distribution.
Innovation Solution
A method for scheduling data requests in a P2P network by partitioning data chunks into time-urgent regions and maintaining a buffer map to ensure timely availability of data chunks, with a scheduler that prioritizes requests based on region fullness targets and availability, allowing peers to share data efficiently and maintain smooth playback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional P2P scheduling algorithms (e.g., BitTorrent rarest-first) are used, then data sharing capacity is amplified, but response time becomes too long and time-sensitivity is lost for live streaming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the buffer map into multiple regions based on time-urgency levels (e.g., imminent playback, near-future playback, distant-future playback). This segmentation allows the system to prioritize data requests according to their temporal urgency, ensuring that critically needed data is retrieved first while maintaining overall system throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the scheduling parameter from simple data rarity (BitTorrent) to a composite parameter that includes both data availability and time-urgency level. Each data chunk is assigned a priority based on its region in the buffer map, transforming the scheduling decision from a static rarity-based metric to a dynamic time-sensitive metric
2Use of energy by moving object
If P2P networks share data without time-sensitivity scheduling, then network bandwidth is utilized efficiently, but playback smoothness deteriorates due to delayed data arrival
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively requesting data chunks before they are absolutely needed for playback. By identifying data chunks in time-sensitive regions of the buffer map and requesting them in advance from neighboring peers, the system ensures data arrives before playback deadlines while maintaining efficient network utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the buffer map is continuously updated to reflect current playback position and data availability. This feedback loop allows the scheduling algorithm to dynamically adjust requests based on real-time buffer status, ensuring playback smoothness while optimizing network bandwidth usage
3Device complexity
If all data chunks are treated equally in P2P requests, then network resource distribution is simplified, but time-urgent data chunks may not arrive in time for playback
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer map is divided into distinct time-urgency regions, creating a hierarchical structure that simplifies decision-making. Instead of evaluating all data chunks equally, the system only needs to identify which region a chunk belongs to and apply the corresponding priority level, reducing computational complexity while ensuring timely delivery
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the buffer map are assigned different quality levels of urgency. Data chunks in imminent playback regions receive highest priority with aggressive request scheduling, while chunks in distant-future regions receive lower priority. This local differentiation ensures time-urgent data arrives on time without unnecessarily complicating the overall scheduling mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for scheduling data requests for streaming media data in a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network. A method is provided to increase a peer's contribution to the whole P2P network by partitioning the data chunks to request into several regions according to their relative time urgency, and data requests are scheduled in an effort to maintain availability of data in each region to a corresponding predefined target amount.