Remote Media Manager Bypasses Server for Direct Client Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtualized environments for real-time audio/video conferencing, the additional hops required for data transmission through a server increase latency, affecting the quality of the media flow.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a remote media manager that allows real-time media data to be transmitted directly between client-side machines over a media path, bypassing the server, while non-real-time data is exchanged over a server path, thereby reducing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If real-time media data is transmitted through a server in virtualized environments, then centralized control and management are improved, but transmission latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission path into two distinct paths: a server path for non-real-time media data and control signaling, and a direct media path for real-time audio/video data. This segmentation allows real-time data to bypass the server and travel directly between client devices, eliminating the additional hops that cause latency while maintaining server involvement for control and management functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a media server as an intermediary that facilitates the establishment of direct peer-to-peer media paths between client devices. The media server acts as a temporary mediator during the connection setup phase, enabling NAT traversal and path negotiation, then steps out of the data flow for actual media transmission, thus providing centralized control without being in the critical real-time data path.
2Reliability
If all media data passes through the server, then data security and control are improved, but real-time media quality deteriorates due to increased latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides media data into two categories with different transmission requirements: real-time audio/video data that requires low latency and can be transmitted directly between peers, and non-real-time data (such as chat messages, file transfers, and control signaling) that benefits from server-mediated transmission for security and reliability. This segmentation allows each type of data to use the most appropriate transmission path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different transmission quality requirements to different data streams. Real-time media data receives optimized local treatment through direct peer-to-peer transmission with minimal intermediate processing, while non-real-time data receives enhanced security and control through server-mediated transmission. This local quality approach ensures that each data type is handled according to its specific requirements.
3Loss of time
If a direct media path is established between client devices, then transmission latency is reduced, but system complexity increases due to path management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal media server that performs multiple functions: it acts as a signaling server for establishing connections, a NAT traversal assistant for enabling peer-to-peer communication through network address translation, and a fallback server for scenarios where direct paths cannot be established. This multi-functionality consolidates path management complexity into a single universal component rather than requiring separate specialized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The media server serves as an intermediary that handles the complex path management tasks including NAT traversal, firewall negotiation, and connection establishment. By offloading these complex management functions to the intermediary server, the client devices can focus on media transmission while the server manages the complexity of establishing and maintaining direct paths, thus reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Real-time media optimization may be provided. First, a remote session may be established with a remote computing device. Then, during the remote session, non-real-time media data may be exchanged with the remote computing device over a server path. Moreover, real-time media data may be exchanged with the remote computing device over a media path during the remote session.