P2P Streaming Buffer Deadline for ABR Quality Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In peer-to-peer streaming, Adaptive BitRate (ABR) algorithms cause unstable quality fluctuations and playback interruptions due to uncontrolled quality increases, as they are designed for simple streaming scenarios and not compatible with peer-to-peer networks, where high apparent bandwidths and artificial buffer filling rates lead to incorrect quality decisions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that includes a response deadline for segment delivery, calculated based on segment reception rates, to control ABR logic by artificially limiting bandwidth and buffer filling, using two buffers (one for peer-to-peer caching and another for playback) and adjusting deadlines to stabilize quality decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ABR algorithms are used in P2P streaming to automatically adjust quality based on bandwidth and buffer filling rate, then the system adapts to network conditions, but the quality decisions become incorrect due to artificially high apparent bandwidths and buffer filling rates caused by P2P pre-buffering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that sits between the ABR algorithm and the actual segment retrieval process. This intermediary monitors the true network conditions separately from the ABR's perceived conditions, and mediates the segment requests to ensure quality decisions reflect actual network capacity rather than artificially inflated metrics from P2P pre-buffering
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors actual playback performance and real network conditions, then feeds this information back to adjust segment retrieval strategies. This creates a closed-loop control system that corrects the disconnect between ABR's perceived network state and actual network state, ensuring quality decisions are based on true network capacity
2Productivity
If P2P pre-buffering is used to reduce requests to the content server, then server load is reduced, but the ABR algorithm makes uncontrolled quality increases leading to unstable quality fluctuations and playback interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-determining segment retrieval strategies based on true network conditions before the ABR algorithm makes its decisions. The system prepares quality-adjusted segment requests in advance, ensuring that even with P2P pre-buffering, the quality decisions are controlled and stable rather than uncontrolled and fluctuating
3Manufacturing precision
If the player requests segments at maximum quality based on ABR decisions, then quality is optimized, but playback interruptions occur when the actual network capacity cannot sustain the requested quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by maintaining an buffer of segments at multiple quality levels and proactively preparing fallback options before playback interruptions occur. When segments are retrieved via P2P, the system pre-loads alternative quality versions that can be quickly substituted if the high-quality segments prove unsustainable, thus cushioning against future playback interruptions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for streaming, on a player of a client device (11), a broadcast content within a peer-to-peer network (10) of client devices (11, 12), said content consisting of a sequence of segments available in a plurality of levels of quality and said player being adapted to choose the level of quality of the segments in accordance with an adaptive bitrate ABR regulation logic; the client device (11) comprising a first buffer (M1) adapted to store segments in a format suitable for transfer within the peer-to-peer network (10), the method being characterized in that it comprises the implementation, by data processing means (110) of the device (11), of steps of:a. Receiving a request for a segment from the player;b. Providing, in response, said segment from the first buffer (M1) upon expiry of a response deadline defined with respect to said ABR logic of the player.