Picture-Level Bitrate Switching for Granular Video Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video distribution systems lack sufficient granularity in bitrate switching, leading to network congestion and sub-optimal video quality due to infrequent and coarse bitrate adjustments, particularly in low latency scenarios.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with multiple encoders configured with the same GOP structure and resolution to generate streams in ascending order of bitrate, allowing for bitrate switching at the sub-GOP or picture level, facilitated by a rate selector and analyzer to select optimal bitrates for seamless segment delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If bitrate switching is performed at GOP level or segment level, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but bitrate adaptation granularity is insufficient leading to network congestion and sub-optimal video quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video stream at the picture level by introducing picture-level switching points within GOP structures. This allows bitrate switching to occur at individual picture boundaries rather than at coarse GOP or segment levels, thereby increasing adaptation granularity without requiring complete re-encoding of entire segments. The segmentation enables finer control over bitrate transitions while maintaining decoder complexity at manageable levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic bitrate switching by allowing the selection of different bitrate versions at each picture level switching point based on real-time network conditions. This dynamic approach enables the system to adaptively adjust bitrate granularity according to actual playback needs and network状况, rather than using fixed GOP-level switching intervals, thus resolving the contradiction between switching frequency and system complexity.
2Productivity
If bitrate switching frequency is increased to reduce network congestion, then network efficiency is improved, but additional distortion is introduced in low latency scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares multiple bitrate versions of the same video content in advance during encoding, with switching points established at picture boundaries within GOP structures. This preliminary preparation allows the system to switch between pre-encoded versions without real-time re-encoding, avoiding additional distortion that would occur with dynamic rate adjustment. The pre-prepared versions ensure quality consistency while enabling frequent switching to manage network congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of the same video segment at different bitrates, each with identical picture-level switching points. Instead of dynamically adjusting bitrate in real-time (which introduces distortion), the system selects from pre-existing copies that match current network conditions. This copying approach enables frequent bitrate adaptation while maintaining video quality consistency across switches.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple encoders generate streams at different bitrates with same GOP structure, then bitrate selection flexibility is improved, but system complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal encoder configuration where multiple encoders use the identical GOP structure and picture-level switching point definitions. This universal template allows the system to generate multiple bitrate versions with consistent switching capabilities without configuring each encoder independently. The multi-functionality approach enables flexible bitrate selection while reducing overall system complexity through standardized encoder settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains constant encoder parameters (GOP structure, picture size, switching points) across multiple encoders while varying only the bitrate parameter. This selective parameter change strategy provides bitrate selection flexibility by changing only the necessary parameter (bitrate) while keeping structural parameters fixed, thereby reducing the complexity that would arise from configuring multiple different encoder settings.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for bitrate switching are described herein to improve the video distribution for users having different available bandwidth. Embodiments described herein improve the bitrate switching granularity and bitrate adaptation capabilities of a video delivery system.