Packet Prioritization Using Timestamp Comparison for Buffer Underflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for prioritizing packet delivery in multimedia content over wireless networks fail to account for discrepancies in client device bandwidth and signal strength, leading to underflow conditions and poor media quality due to equal priority distribution across all client devices.
Innovation Solution
A central device prioritizes packet delivery based on packet time stamp information, comparing the time stamp value of each packet with the system time clock of the target client device, and adjusts transmission rates or discards packets if they are late, to ensure timely delivery and prevent buffer starvation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If packets are transmitted evenly at a common bitrate to all client devices, then network simplicity is maintained, but buffer underflow conditions occur in devices with weaker signals or higher consumption rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating packet prioritization based on individual client device characteristics. Each client device receives packets with priority levels tailored to its specific buffer status, signal strength, and consumption rate, rather than uniform treatment. This is achieved by monitoring per-device metrics and assigning differential QoS priorities in the wireless network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making packet prioritization adaptive and time-varying. The system continuously monitors buffer levels, signal strength, and packet consumption rates, dynamically adjusting priority assignments in real-time. This allows the network to respond to changing conditions and prevent underflow events as they develop.
2Reliability
If buffer size is increased at client devices to handle variable packet delivery rates, then underflow conditions are prevented, but device complexity and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively identifying clients at risk of buffer underflow through continuous monitoring of buffer levels, signal strength, and consumption patterns. The system takes preventive action by prioritizing packet delivery to at-risk clients before underflow occurs, rather than reacting after the problem manifests.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring client device buffer status, signal strength, and packet consumption rates, then using this information to adjust packet prioritization decisions. This closed-loop control allows the network to adapt to changing conditions and maintain reliable delivery without requiring oversized buffers.
3Reliability
If packet prioritization is implemented based on client device characteristics, then media quality is improved, but network complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling client devices to report their own buffer status, signal strength, and consumption characteristics to the network. This allows the network to make informed prioritization decisions based on actual device conditions without requiring complex centralized monitoring of all device states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by adjusting packet priority levels based on varying client device parameters such as buffer depth, signal strength, and consumption rate. The system modifies transmission parameters dynamically to optimize media quality for each client based on its current state.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate dynamic packet prioritization for delivery of multiple media streams based upon packet time stamp information. A central device may retrieve time stamp information associated with one or more packets of a media stream and system time clock information associated with a client device to which output of the media stream is targeted. The central device may compare the time stamp information to the system time clock information, and if the difference between the time stamp information and the system time clock information is less than a predetermined threshold, the central device may deviate from a default packet transmission scheme and may prioritize the delivery of packets from the media stream to the targeted client device.