Server Data Stream Adjustment for Video Conference Resource Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for adjusting data streams in real-time communication, such as video conferences, fail to effectively account for the varying resource loads of multiple participants, leading to suboptimal quality of service and inefficient bandwidth utilization.
Innovation Solution
A method and server unit that dynamically adjust data rates of outgoing data streams based on the real-time resource loads of receiver units, using precalculation techniques like exponential smoothing to optimize data transmission quality for all participants, regardless of their resource availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If quality adjustment is carried out based on real-time resource monitoring, then the media stream quality adapts to device capabilities, but the adjustment speed is relatively slow
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and prepares multiple pre-encoded media streams with different quality levels before transmission begins. When a receiver unit joins or resource conditions change, the server can immediately switch to an appropriate pre-prepared stream without waiting for real-time encoding adjustments, thus achieving fast quality adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects from multiple pre-encoded streams based on current resource conditions. The server continuously monitors receiver unit resource status and switches between different quality-level streams in real-time, combining the benefits of pre-prepared content with dynamic adaptation to changing conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If media stream quality is adjusted to individual device resources, then device-specific optimization is achieved, but group bandwidth utilization is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The system encodes the same source content into multiple versions with different quality levels and transmission rates. Each receiver unit receives a stream tailored to its specific resource capabilities, while the server optimizes overall bandwidth usage by selecting appropriate streams for each receiver based on current network and device conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The server changes transmission parameters (data rate, resolution, bitrate) of media streams based on receiver unit resource status. By adjusting these parameters dynamically and selecting from pre-encoded variants, the system optimizes both individual device performance and overall network bandwidth utilization.
3Speed
If multiple pre-encoded streams are prepared for different quality levels, then fast quality switching is enabled, but server processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple media streams are pre-encoded and prepared in advance at different quality levels before the communication session begins. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for real-time encoding during the session, significantly reducing server processing load while enabling instant quality switching when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The server dynamically selects from the pre-encoded streams based on current resource conditions without performing real-time encoding. This dynamic selection from prepared variants achieves fast quality adaptation while keeping server processing requirements minimal during active communication.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for adjusting data streams during a video conference the audio-based and video-based real-time communication to be transmitted to various receiver units with respective resource loads that vary over time, a server unit receives an incoming data stream from each of a multiple number of transmitter units. The server unit generates from such incoming data streams a multiple number of outgoing data streams, each having a different compressed data rate. The server unit receives from the specified receiver units, their resource loads (varying over time) in chronological intervals and accordingly subjects the data rates of the compressed outgoing data streams to a controlling adjustment to the resource loads of the respective specified receiver units. The outgoing data streams so adjusted are sent to the specified receiver units.