Server-Side Stream Switching for Bandwidth Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Streaming media over the Internet often experiences undesirable delays and interruptions due to limited bandwidth, which can be mitigated by reducing the media quality, but users prefer the highest quality stream possible.
Innovation Solution
A system that dynamically adjusts the bit rate of streaming media by switching between multiple versions of content stored at different quality levels, with the server monitoring bandwidth and switching versions as necessary to maintain a stable and high-quality stream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the quality of streaming media is reduced (by lowering bit rate), then interruptions and delays are reduced, but the media quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the bit rate of streaming media in real-time based on monitored network bandwidth conditions. The server switches between multiple versions of content (different quality levels) to adapt to changing network conditions, allowing the system to optimize between quality and stability dynamically rather than using a fixed quality level
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the bit rate parameter of the media stream based on network conditions. By monitoring bandwidth and adjusting the bit rate accordingly, the system can maintain high quality when network conditions permit and reduce quality only when necessary to prevent interruptions, resolving the contradiction between quality and stability
2Manufacturing precision
If the bit rate of streaming media is increased, then media quality improves, but bandwidth requirements increase causing interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The server monitors network bandwidth conditions in real-time and uses this feedback to adjust the bit rate of the streaming media. This closed-loop control allows the system to detect when high quality streaming would cause interruptions and automatically switch to a lower quality stream, or vice versa, maintaining optimal balance between quality and continuity
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple versions of content are maintained at different quality levels, then adaptability to bandwidth changes improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The content is segmented into multiple versions at different quality levels (e.g., different bit rates or resolutions). This segmentation allows the server to select and transmit the appropriate version based on network conditions, providing adaptability without requiring complex real-time encoding or processing - the versions are pre-prepared and stored
Data Source
AI summary
Technology is provided for dynamically adjusting the delivery of content by switching streams during delivery in order to adapt to bandwidth information. A server (or set of servers) storing content transmits one or more portions of a first version of a set content to a client and monitors that transmission (or other transmission) to determine bandwidth information. The server determines whether to switch versions of the set of content based on the bandwidth information. One or more additional portions of the first version of the set of content are transmitted from the server to the client if the server determines that it should not switch versions of the set of content. One or more portions of a second version of the set of content are transmitted from the server to the client if the server determines that it should switch versions. The first version of the set of content and the second version of the set of content are at different quality levels.