P2P Streaming Player Buffer Threshold Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing peer-to-peer streaming method experiences instability and CPU stress due to frequent threshold adjustments between two values, leading to undesirable side-effects such as frequent bitrate switching during adaptive bitrate streaming.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling a player in a client device that adjusts the threshold parameter based on a download completion ratio and a score computation, which considers the availability of segments in the peer-to-peer cache, to minimize threshold oscillation and ensure stable playback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the threshold parameter is frequently adjusted between two values to ensure buffer continuity, then playback continuity is improved, but CPU stress increases and threshold oscillation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third threshold value (intermediate threshold) between the first and second thresholds. This parameter change allows the system to make more gradual adjustments to the threshold parameter, reducing frequent oscillations between extreme values while still maintaining buffer continuity. The intermediate threshold acts as a buffer zone that smooths out the threshold adjustment behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that monitors the amount of data in the buffer and adjusts the threshold parameter accordingly. By continuously feedback-based adjustment rather than fixed binary switching, the system can respond more smoothly to changing conditions, reducing CPU stress associated with frequent threshold oscillations while maintaining reliable playback continuity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the threshold parameter switches frequently between first and second values, then buffer management flexibility is improved, but adaptive bitrate streaming stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate threshold value that creates a three-level threshold system. This parameter change enables more gradual transitions in buffer management, allowing the system to maintain flexibility in buffer management while reducing frequent bitrate switching. The intermediate threshold acts as a stabilizing element that prevents extreme oscillations between the first and second thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the threshold parameter dynamic by introducing multiple threshold levels that can be activated based on current buffer conditions. This dynamic three-level system allows flexible buffer management adapted to varying network conditions while maintaining stability in adaptive bitrate streaming by avoiding frequent switches between extreme threshold values.
3Device complexity
If a simple two-value threshold system is used, then system complexity is reduced, but playback stability deteriorates due to frequent oscillations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the simple two-value threshold system by introducing a third intermediate threshold value. This parameter change adds a layer of complexity to the threshold system, but it stabilizes playback by reducing frequent oscillations. The intermediate threshold provides a buffer zone that smooths out transitions and maintains more stable playback conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing an intermediate threshold that acts as a buffer zone between the first and second thresholds. This cushioning mechanism prevents direct, frequent oscillations between extreme threshold values, thereby stabilizing playback before oscillations can occur. The intermediate threshold cushions the system against the instability of binary threshold switching.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method for controlling a player of a client device comprising a cache for storing segments of a data stream in a format adapted for transfers within a P2P network, the player being configured to play segments of the data stream stored in a buffer, and whenever an amount of data pending for playback in the buffer is less than a threshold parameter of the player, request other segments of the data stream to be transferred from the peer-to-peer cache to the buffer, wherein the method comprises: determining a download completion ratio associated with a reference segment of the data stream; computing a score depending on the download completion ratio, changing the threshold parameter of the player from a first value to a second value greater than the first value only if the score meets a predefined condition.