Reception Buffer Management for Streaming Bandwidth Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current streaming technologies often result in frequent interruptions during content playback due to network conditions, leading to unnecessary bandwidth usage and inefficient data transfer, particularly in the initial thirty seconds when users are likely to change content based on interest rather than transfer quality.

Innovation Solution

A method that regulates bandwidth by maintaining a full reception buffer on the client device without releasing space in the receive buffer, allowing data to be transferred to the application buffer without freeing the corresponding part of the reception buffer, thereby optimizing flow control and reducing unnecessary data transfers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the reception buffer is freed after data transfer to optimize memory usage, then memory efficiency is improved, but bandwidth regulation becomes difficult and unnecessary data transfers occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory efficiencyVSAvoidbandwidth regulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-allocating reception buffer space and maintaining it in a reserved state before actual data transfer needs occur. The buffer space is prepared in advance but not released, allowing for smooth data flow regulation without triggering additional network transfers. This resolves the contradiction by having memory ready beforehand without committing it to active use until necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The reception buffer acts as an intermediary between the network data stream and the application buffer. By maintaining buffer occupancy without releasing space after transfers, it mediates the data flow to prevent upstream bandwidth regulation issues. The buffer serves as a cushion that absorbs network variability without causing the sender to reduce or stop transmission, thus solving the bandwidth regulation problem while maintaining memory efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If data is transferred quickly to satisfy user interest changes, then user experience is improved, but bandwidth is wasted on potentially unnecessary content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoidbandwidth usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by transferring only the necessary portion of data at any given time through controlled buffer management. Instead of aggressively pre-loading excessive data that might not be viewed, the system transfers data at a rate that maintains buffer occupancy without over-provisioning. This allows fast transfer when needed while avoiding waste by not transferring more data than the buffer can accommodate and utilize.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of energy

If the reception buffer is kept full to regulate bandwidth, then bandwidth savings are achieved, but data transfer delays may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth savingsVSAvoiddata transfer delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining continuous buffer occupancy without releasing space. This continuous state allows data transfer to proceed smoothly without interruption or delay, as the buffer is always ready to receive and pass along data. The useful action of data flow regulation continues uninterrupted, achieving both bandwidth savings and timely transfer by eliminating buffer management interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP2403195B1Method and device for loading content intended for reducing bandwidth during data transfers
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 ORANGE SA
  • EP2403195B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2403195B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2403195B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves publizing a receiving window size defining the size of a part of a receiving buffer memory (MT1) that is available for receiving data according to a communication protocol for transmitting content data to a client device (D). The content data contained in the memory is received, and the received content data is transferred to a buffer memory (MT2) of an application (A). The part of the content data of the receiving buffer memory of the device is transferred to the buffer memory of the application without releasing the corresponding part of the receiving buffer memory. An independent claim is also included for a device for loading content to an application implemented by a client device.