Section Change Detection Markers for Streaming Buffer Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Streaming media playback is often paused abruptly due to network bandwidth limitations, leading to undesirable interruptions during engaging content, as media players wait for the buffer to refill before resuming playback.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of section change detection markers, which allow for intelligent pausing aligned with content sections, enabling the streaming client to download content until a marker is reached and then adjust download priority, reducing playback pauses by caching the right duration of content and providing visual cues for user control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If media players continue downloading content until network bandwidth can support playback, then network bandwidth utilization is improved, but playback continuity deteriorates due to abrupt pauses when buffer needs refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media content into distinct sections marked by section change detection markers. The media player downloads and buffers content section by section, refilling the buffer at section boundaries rather than arbitrarily during playback. This segmentation allows the player to maintain playback continuity within each section while efficiently utilizing network bandwidth across sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-downloading and buffering content up to section change markers before playback reaches those points. The media player proactively fills the buffer with the next section's content during playback of the current section, ensuring that when a section ends and playback continues, the buffer is already sufficiently filled to avoid abrupt pauses.
2Productivity
If media player buffer is backfilled with content during playback, then network bandwidth is efficiently used, but user experience deteriorates due to abrupt pausing during engaging scenes
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting content into sections with clear boundaries marked by detection markers, the patent enables the media player to perform buffer refilling operations at section boundaries rather than interrupting playback arbitrarily. This segmentation allows efficient network bandwidth utilization while preserving user experience by avoiding pauses during engaging scenes within each section.
Solution Approach 2:
The section change detection markers act as intermediaries between the network bandwidth management system and the playback system. These markers provide structured points where buffer refilling can occur without disrupting the user's viewing experience, mediating between the need for efficient bandwidth usage and the need for smooth playback.
3Reliability
If section change detection markers are implemented, then playback continuity is improved by reducing abrupt pauses, but device complexity increases due to metadata generation and marker processing
Solution Approach 1:
The section change detection markers serve as simple intermediary elements that add minimal complexity to the system. These markers are embedded in the media file's metadata and provide straightforward cues for the media player to adjust buffering behavior. The markers themselves are simple data structures that indicate section boundaries, requiring minimal processing while enabling significant improvements in playback continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the buffering strategy based on the presence of section change detection markers. Rather than fundamentally changing the media player architecture, the system adjusts buffering parameters (such as buffer refill timing and priority) in response to marker detection, adding minimal complexity while achieving improved playback continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods and storage medium associated with media streaming through section change detection markers are disclosed herein. In an example, an apparatus may include one or more processors, devices, and/or circuitry to identify a plurality of section change transitions of content of the media file. The one or more processors, devices, and/or circuitry may be to select at least some of the identified section change transitions, and generate metadata responsive to the selecting. The one or more processors, devices, and/or circuitry may be to transmit the generated metadata over an electronic network for delivery to a streaming client.