Video Delivery Problem Ranking via Machine Learning

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Solution Overview

Problem

High traffic Internet-based media streaming systems face challenges in discovering the causes of re-buffering events and mitigating them due to the sheer quantity of data and numerous variables involved, leading to volatile performance and degraded playback quality for users.

Innovation Solution

An automated machine learning-based approach is employed to identify and evaluate problems associated with re-buffering by gathering large amounts of data from both server and client ends, processing it to generate a table that relates quality information to re-buffer events, and using machine learning techniques to determine weighted values for features contributing to re-buffering, allowing for ranking and suggesting changes to improve playback quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional manual analysis methods are used to identify re-buffering causes, then analysis precision can be maintained, but productivity is severely limited due to the sheer quantity of data and numerous variables

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of identifying re-buffering causesVSAvoidcomplexity of analysis system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis with automated machine learning algorithms. The system collects playback information including re-buffer events and network conditions, then uses automated ML models to identify causal factors, eliminating the need for manual data sifting while handling the sheer quantity of data and numerous variables efficiently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary analysis system that sits between raw playback data and actionable insights. This intermediary layer collects data from multiple sources (playback information, network conditions, device characteristics), processes it through ML algorithms, and outputs ranked causal factors, simplifying the complexity for end users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive data collection from server and client ends is implemented, then measurement precision of playback quality issues is improved, but device complexity and data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of identifying playback quality issuesVSAvoidcomplexity of data collection system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data collection system into distinct components: server-end data collection, client-end data collection, and centralized analysis. Playback information is divided into specific categories (re-buffer events, network conditions, device characteristics), allowing comprehensive data gathering while managing complexity through modular organization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal data collection framework that operates across server and client ends with consistent protocols. The same analytical model processes data regardless of source, and the system handles multiple types of playback information through a unified approach, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If machine learning techniques are used to analyze playback information, then productivity in identifying re-buffering causes is improved, but manufacturing precision of analysis results may be affected by model accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of analyzing playback informationVSAvoidaccuracy of analysis results
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where analysis results are validated against actual playback outcomes. The system continuously refines its ML models based on accumulated data, comparing predicted causal factors with actual re-buffering patterns to improve accuracy over time while maintaining high processing speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary data processing and feature extraction before applying ML analysis. By pre-processing playback information to extract relevant features and organize data into standardized formats, the system prepares high-quality input for ML models, improving both processing efficiency and analysis accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9779362B1Ranking video delivery problems
Publication Date: 2017.10.03 GOOGLE LLC
  • US9779362B1 patent drawing
  • US9779362B1 patent drawing
  • US9779362B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods for determining video infrastructure delivery problems using machine learning are presented. In an aspect, a system includes a reception component configured to receive information regarding videos streamed by the system to devices, wherein the information identifies video playback events at the devices and re-buffer events respectively associated with the video playback events. The system further includes a quality component configured to identify features related to quality of the playback events at the devices based on the information, and an analysis component configured to determine probabilities of occurrence of the re-buffer events based on different combinations of the features, and determine weighted values for each of the features that reflect their contribution to the probabilities of occurrence of the re-buffer events based on the different combinations of the features.