Unified Buffer Management for Redundant Media Packet Streams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media transmission systems require complex management of redundant media packet streams, including the need for 'fail-over' switches, which complicates the processing and handling of redundant data paths.
Innovation Solution
A receiver device and transmitter device configuration that processes both primary and redundant media packet streams simultaneously without distinguishing between them, using a buffer to store samples based on output time, eliminating the need for special management controls and 'fail-over' switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fail-over switches and special management controls are used to handle redundant media packet streams, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the processing of primary and redundant media packet streams into a single unified buffer management system. The receiver device writes extracted samples from both streams to the same buffer location based on output time, eliminating the need for separate fail-over switch mechanisms and complex management controls while maintaining reliability through redundant stream processing
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer is designed to universally handle samples from both primary and redundant packet streams without distinction. The same buffer writing logic processes samples from either stream based solely on output time, creating a multi-functional system that automatically handles redundancy management without requiring specialized components
2Reliability
If fail-over switches and active stream management are implemented, then data loss is prevented, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically processing samples from both primary and redundant packet streams through the same buffer writing logic. The receiver device autonomously determines which samples to write based on output time without requiring external control signals or manual intervention for fail-over decisions, simplifying operation while preventing data loss
3Reliability
If the number of redundant packet streams is increased, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer management system is designed to universally accept and process samples from any number of redundant packet streams using the same writing logic. The system scales to handle increased redundancy by simply processing additional streams through the existing buffer mechanism, avoiding the need for complex management controls that would increase device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
This invention concerns the transmitting and receiving of digital media packets, such as audio and video channels and lighting instructions. In particular, the invention concerns the transmitting and receiving of redundant media packet streams. Samples are extracted from a first and second media packet stream. The extracted samples are written to a buffer based on the output time of each sample. Extracted samples having the same output in time are written to the same location in the buffer. Both media packet streams are simply processed all the way to the bugger without any particular knowledge that one of the packet streams is actually redundant. This simplifies the management of the redundant packet streams, such as eliminating the need for a “fail-over” switch and the concept of an “active stream”, the location is the storage space allocated to store one sample. The extracted sample written to the location may be written over another extracted sample from a different packet stream previously written to the location. These extracted samples written to the same location may be identical.