Streaming Media Traffic Management via Segment Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current adaptive HTTP streaming technologies do not efficiently manage streaming media traffic, leading to unnecessary battery drain and system resource consumption in mobile devices, as they do not effectively transition to power-saving radio channel states, such as URA-PCH, due to fixed media segment durations and timeouts.
Innovation Solution
A method for managing streaming media traffic by combining multiple media segments into a single segment with a longer duration, allowing the network to transition to a power-saving state, where the combined segment is transmitted in a higher resource state and the network waits for a predetermined time before transitioning, thereby extending the power-saving state duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If multiple small media segments are transmitted with fixed durations, then the streaming can be delivered continuously to the client, but the network cannot transition to power-saving states efficiently causing increased battery drain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple small media segments into a single larger media segment that spans a longer time duration. This merging allows the network to transmit one large segment, then transition to a power-saving state for an extended period, reducing the frequency of state transitions and lowering overall battery consumption while maintaining continuous streaming delivery to the client
2Use of energy by moving object
If the network frequently transitions between radio channel states to save power, then energy consumption decreases, but the streaming service reliability deteriorates due to transition timeouts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares and transmits a large media segment in advance that covers a time period longer than the network's transition timeout. This preliminary action ensures that even if the network transitions to a power-saving state, the client already has sufficient media data to continue playback without interruption, maintaining streaming service reliability while enabling longer power-saving periods
3Loss of energy
If media segments are transmitted in small fixed durations, then the client can buffer and play back continuously, but the system resource consumption increases due to frequent state transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of media segment duration from small fixed values to a single large duration that exceeds the network transition timeout. This parameter change reduces the number of segments that need to be transmitted and buffered, decreasing system resource consumption related to frequent state transitions and segment management while maintaining adequate playback duration
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing streaming media traffic at a network entity capable of assuming a first and a second radio channel state, a transition from the first to second radio channel state requiring a first predetermined time period t1, comprising combining, at the network entity, at least two media segments such that a resulting combined media segment comprises media data equivalent to a second predetermined time period t2, the second time period being greater than the first time period, transmitting, from the network entity, the combined media segment in the first radio channel state during a third time period t3, initiating transition, at the network entity, from the first to the second radio channel state, and waiting, at the network entity after the initiating step, at least for a time period t=t2−t3−t1, wherein the second time period is greater than the sum of the first and third time periods.