Video Call Frame Rate Adaptation via Link Quality Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video calling technologies face challenges in maintaining real-time video and audio transmission due to network interruptions and varying bandwidth, leading to noticeable glitches such as pausing and dropped frames.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where telecommunication devices adapt their frame rates based on uplink and downlink link qualities, with each device adjusting its transmission rate according to the lower of the two link qualities, and requesting adjustments from the other device, to ensure seamless real-time video calls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If buffering is used to handle network fluctuations, then video playback continuity is improved, but real-time interaction quality deteriorates due to delay

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo playback continuityVSAvoidreal-time interaction delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the frame rate of video transmission based on real-time network conditions (uplink and downlink qualities). When network quality degrades, the frame rate is reduced to maintain real-time interaction; when network quality improves, the frame rate is increased to enhance video quality. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to operate without significant buffering while maintaining both real-time responsiveness and playback continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission parameter (frame rate) according to network conditions. By monitoring uplink and downlink link qualities and adjusting the frame rate accordingly, the system adapts to varying network capacities without requiring large buffers, thus maintaining real-time interaction quality while ensuring continuous playback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If high frame rates are transmitted, then video quality is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo qualityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the frame rate based on real-time network conditions. When network bandwidth is abundant, higher frame rates are transmitted to provide superior video quality. When bandwidth is constrained, the frame rate is reduced to prevent network congestion and maintain smooth transmission. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between video quality and bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission frame rate parameter is changed according to measured network qualities. The system monitors network conditions and adjusts the frame rate parameter to match available bandwidth, ensuring high video quality when possible while conserving network resources when bandwidth is limited.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If frame rate is reduced to adapt to poor network conditions, then transmission reliability is improved, but video quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidvideo quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts frame rate based on real-time network conditions. When network quality is poor, the frame rate is reduced to ensure reliable transmission without dropped frames or interruptions. When network quality improves, the frame rate is increased to restore video quality. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain transmission reliability across varying network conditions while minimizing video quality degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The frame rate parameter is adjusted according to network quality measurements. By changing this parameter in response to network conditions, the system ensures reliable transmission when necessary while preserving video quality when network conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If continuous monitoring of network conditions is performed, then rate adaptation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverate adaptation accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring and adjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where each device monitors its own uplink and downlink network qualities and exchanges this information with the other device. Based on this feedback, each device autonomously adjusts its transmission frame rate. This feedback-driven approach achieves accurate rate adaptation without requiring complex centralized control, as each device independently makes adjustments based on real-time network conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Each device performs self-monitoring of its network conditions and autonomously adjusts its own transmission parameters. The devices exchange capability and condition information and independently determine appropriate frame rates without requiring complex external control mechanisms. This self-service approach reduces overall system complexity while maintaining accurate rate adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2625848B1Rate adaptation for video calling
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 T MOBILE US INC
  • EP2625848B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2625848B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2625848B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Telecommunication devices are described herein that are configured to establish a video call and adapt frame rates at which video and audio frames of the video call are transmitted. The telecommunication devices adapt frame rates based at least on uplink and downlink link qualities of each telecommunication device. By adapting the frame rates, the telecommunication devices engage in a real-time exchange of the video and audio frames of the video call. A server is also described herein that is configured to conditionally establish a video call between telecommunication devices, to determine link qualities of the telecommunication devices, and to adapt frame rates based at least on the link qualities.