Streaming Media Bit Rate Control via Buffer Duration Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

The playback quality of streaming media decreases due to the acquisition of excessive segments with low bit rates, as existing technologies like DASH do not adjust bit rates based on the total duration of acquired segments, leading to low playback quality when continuity is met.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine the bit rate of the next streaming media segment based on a total duration parameter and preset duration thresholds, allowing for the acquisition of segments with higher bit rates when the continuity requirement is met, thereby improving playback quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If DASH technology continuously switches between multiple bit rate versions to adapt to channel changes, then streaming media continuity is ensured, but playback quality decreases when excessive low bit rate segments are acquired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestreaming media continuityVSAvoidplayback quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter used for bit rate selection from solely channel condition to a combination of channel condition and buffer duration. When buffer duration exceeds a threshold, the system selects higher bit rate segments regardless of current channel conditions, thus improving playback quality while maintaining continuity through the buffer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-acquiring and storing streaming media segments in the buffer before they are needed for playback. This allows the system to have segments ready in advance, ensuring continuity playback while enabling quality optimization when the buffer contains sufficient duration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the UE acquires streaming media segments based on current channel condition, then adaptation to channel changes is achieved, but low playback quality occurs when buffer already ensures continuous playback

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel adaptationVSAvoidplayback quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics by making the bit rate selection strategy adaptive based on buffer state. The system dynamically switches between two modes: when buffer duration is insufficient, it prioritizes continuity with lower bit rates; when buffer duration is sufficient, it prioritizes quality with higher bit rates. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between channel adaptation and playback quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2945339B1Method and device for regulating streaming media data transmission
Publication Date: 2018.02.07 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2945339B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2945339B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2945339B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for adjusting streaming media data transmission, which relate to the field of streaming media communications technologies and are capable of solving a problem that playback quality of streaming media decreases due to acquiring of excessive segments with low bit rates. The method includes: acquiring a total duration parameter of streaming media, where the streaming media is formed by at least one streaming media segment that is not played; determining, according to the total duration parameter and at least one preset duration threshold, a bit rate of a next streaming media segment to be acquired; and acquiring a next streaming media segment according to the determined bit rate. The present invention is mainly applied to a streaming media transmission and playback process.