Streaming Content Profile Control Using Chain-Wide Energy Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack a standard method to measure and control energy consumption across the entire multimedia streaming chain, limiting users' ability to assess and reduce overall energy usage effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that collect and transmit energy consumption information through SEI messages or MPEG2 transport streams, allowing nodes in the streaming system to modify energy consumption based on received data, and enable end-users to select content profiles based on energy consumption metrics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If green MPEG concentrates on controlling energy consumed by codecs only, then energy consumption of the codec sub-part is reduced, but energy consumption of the complete multimedia streaming chain cannot be controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption of codecVSAvoidcontrol capability over complete streaming chain

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the energy control mechanism from codec-specific control to a universal system that monitors and controls energy consumption across all nodes in the multimedia streaming chain. The SEI message mechanism and energy consumption information collection are designed to work across encoders, decoders, and intermediate nodes, making the system universally applicable to the entire streaming ecosystem rather than being limited to codec operations only.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the multimedia streaming chain into discrete nodes (encoder, decoder, intermediate processing nodes) and assigns energy monitoring capabilities to each segment. Each node can independently measure its own energy consumption and report it through SEI messages, allowing the system to aggregate energy information from all segments to achieve comprehensive chain-wide energy control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If no standard tool is provided for obtaining energy consumption information, then codec energy measurement remains simple, but end users lack means to assess and control complete application energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of codec energy measurementVSAvoidenergy consumption information availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces SEI (Supplemental Enhancement Information) messages as an intermediary mechanism to transport energy consumption information from various nodes in the streaming chain to the end user device. These messages act as a standardized communication channel that bridges the gap between nodes generating energy data and users needing this information for assessment and control decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback loop where energy consumption information is collected from nodes, transmitted via SEI messages to the end user device, and then used to influence subsequent content requests and streaming decisions. This closed-loop feedback enables users to assess energy consumption and adjust their behavior accordingly, such as selecting different content profiles based on energy considerations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If end users request content based on energy consumption information, then energy-aware content selection is enabled, but additional processing and communication overhead is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy-aware content selection capabilityVSAvoidprocessing and communication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements energy information collection selectively at relevant nodes in the streaming chain rather than universally at all points. Not every node needs to generate or process SEI messages with energy information - only those nodes where energy measurement is meaningful and where the information will be useful for end user decision-making. This partial implementation reduces overhead while maintaining the core energy-aware functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12627861B2Method of controlling energy consumed by a mulitmedia streaming application

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 INTERDIGITAL MADISON PATENT HLDG

AI summary

A method of controlling energy consumed by a multimedia streaming application executed in a multimedia streaming system, the method comprising: receiving (358), at an end-user device, a message including information representative of energy consumed by at least one node of the multimedia streaming system when applying at least one process on content having a first profile delivered by the multimedia streaming application prior to delivering the content having the first profile to the end-user device; and requesting (359), at the end-user device, content having a second profile based on the received information representative of the energy consumed by the at least one node.