Streaming Media Server Frame Inhibition for Scalable Video Transmissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current streaming digital media technologies face challenges in efficiently initiating new video stream transmissions to devices, leading to delays and increased server load, as they often require waiting for key frames and generating new key frames, which can disrupt user experience and scalability.
Innovation Solution
A method where a streaming media server identifies and transmits a sequence of frames, including key and intermediate frames, and initiates new transmissions by sending a batch of frames between the initial and subsequent frames, with messages to inhibit and resume presentation, allowing devices to process frames without displaying until all necessary frames are received, thereby reducing server load and improving scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the server waits for key frames before initiating new transmissions, then the video stream quality is maintained, but the transmission initiation time is delayed and server load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary action by transmitting intermediate frames before receiving the complete key frame from the publisher. When a new transmission request is received, the server checks if intermediate frames are already available and transmits them immediately, without waiting for the next key frame from the publisher. This eliminates the traditional waiting period and reduces transmission initiation time while maintaining video quality through proper frame sequencing and presentation inhibition.
2Ease of operation
If the server generates new key frames for each transmission request, then the video stream can be initiated, but the server operation load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by allowing the server to utilize already-transmitted intermediate frames for new transmission requests without generating new key frames. The server checks whether intermediate frames corresponding to the requested playback position are already available in its buffer. If they are, the server can immediately initiate transmission using these pre-available frames, eliminating the need to generate new key frames and significantly reducing server processing load.
3Speed
If the server transmits frames immediately upon request, then the transmission speed increases, but the client may not have processed all necessary frames
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms through presentation inhibition and resumption control. The server transmits all necessary frames (initial frame plus intermediate frames) up to the requested playback position and then inhibits client-side presentation until the client confirms receipt and processing of these frames. The client sends feedback signals to the server, and only after receiving confirmation does the server resume normal presentation. This ensures complete frame processing while maintaining high transmission speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products for transmitting digital media streams. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method includes identifying and transmitting a sequence of frames in a digital video transmission, the sequence of frames comprising an initial frame and subsequent frames corresponding to the initial frame, the subsequent frames comprising data that incrementally updates the initial frame, and initiating a new transmission of the sequence of frames to a new device after sending one of the subsequent frames in the digital transmission, the initiating comprising generating information to cause the new device to inhibit presenting the new transmission until after frames between and including the initial frame and the one of the subsequent frames have been received by the new device, and transmitting, to the new device, the information and the frames between and including the initial frame and the one of the subsequent frames.