Adaptive Streaming Client Cache Detection and Bandwidth Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adaptive streaming clients incorrectly estimate bandwidth due to the presence of intermediate caches, leading to erratic playback and a poor user experience, as they mistakenly interpret cache-related variations as end-to-end network changes.
Innovation Solution
A method for detecting caches along the transmission path and adjusting the downloading behavior by requesting multimedia content based on performance criteria, such as maintaining the same representation if cached or switching to an alternative representation based on bandwidth estimation, while including cache-specific information in HTTP requests to handle cache misses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If adaptive streaming clients use standard bandwidth estimation methods, then they can determine representation quality, but they incorrectly estimate bandwidth due to intermediate caches causing erratic playback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (cache detection module) that identifies the presence of intermediate caches in the transmission path. This mediator detects cache-related variations and prevents them from being misinterpreted as end-to-end network changes, thereby resolving the bandwidth estimation inaccuracy caused by caches while maintaining playback stability
2Manufacturing precision
If clients request higher quality representations, then video quality improves, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the representation quality parameter based on detected cache presence. When caches are detected, the system adjusts the quality parameter to utilize cached content, thereby improving video quality without proportionally increasing network bandwidth consumption. The manifest file is modified to reflect these adaptive quality selections
3Productivity
If clients detect cache presence, then they can optimize downloading behavior, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bandwidth estimation process into two distinct paths: one for cached content and one for non-cached content. By dividing the transmission path analysis, the system can detect cache presence and optimize downloading behavior without requiring complete redesign of the client terminal, thus improving downloading efficiency while limiting complexity increase
4Productivity
If clients use intermediate caches, then network performance improves, but bandwidth estimation becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the client detects cache presence and uses this information to adjust subsequent bandwidth estimation requests. The system continuously monitors transmission characteristics and feeds this information back to modify the manifest file and quality selection, thereby maintaining accurate bandwidth measurement despite the presence of intermediate caches that improve network performance
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for adapting the downloading behavior of a client terminal configured to receive a multimedia content from at least one server, said multimedia content being defined by at least one representation, wherein it comprises the steps of: requesting (S0) a first part of said multimedia content with a given representation; detecting (S1) if a cache between is located along the transmission path the client terminal and a server, based on the request of said first part; in case (S3) a cache is detected, requesting a second part of said multimedia content with a representation depending on at least one performance criterion.