Network Monitoring System for Video QoE Assessment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile networks face challenges in evaluating user Quality of Experience (QoE) for video data transmission, especially with the explosion of mobile video traffic, as existing methods are ineffective in assessing QoE without reconstructing video streams and are not scalable with growing bandwidth demands.

Innovation Solution

A network monitoring system that captures data packets, identifies video sessions, and calculates QoE scores based on key parameters such as video bit rate, resent or failed packets, and session duration, while also evaluating the impact of video transcoding on QoE and providing feedback to a transcoding policy engine to optimize video delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If video streams are reconstructed to evaluate QoE, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and processing resources increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoE measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary QoE evaluation parameters from the video data without requiring full video stream reconstruction. By selecting and measuring specific parameters directly from the transmitted video packets, the system achieves QoE assessment while avoiding the complexity of complete video decoding and reconstruction processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach that uses packet-level parameters as mediators between the transmitted video stream and QoE evaluation. Instead of directly reconstructing video streams, the system measures QoE through intermediate parameters such as packet characteristics, enabling accurate assessment without full reconstruction complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If network infrastructure is expanded to support growing video traffic, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but infrastructure cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth capacityVSAvoidinfrastructure cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor QoE parameters and network conditions in real-time. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of video transmission parameters and transcoding decisions, allowing the network to efficiently utilize existing bandwidth capacity and delay infrastructure expansion until absolutely necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic transcoding that adapts video bitrates and quality parameters based on real-time network conditions and QoE measurements. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize bandwidth utilization across varying network capacities, extracting maximum performance from existing infrastructure before expansion is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If video transcoding is applied to reduce bandwidth consumption, then network efficiency is improved, but video quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidvideo quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic transcoding that continuously adapts video encoding parameters based on real-time QoE measurements and network conditions. The system adjusts transcoding intensity and parameters dynamically, applying stronger compression only when network efficiency is prioritized and maintaining higher quality when QoE measurements indicate good network conditions, thus optimizing the trade-off between network efficiency and video quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses QoE measurement feedback to continuously monitor the impact of transcoding on video quality. This feedback loop enables the system to adjust transcoding parameters in real-time, preventing excessive quality degradation while maintaining network efficiency benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2480001B1Determining mobile video quality of experience and impact of video transcoding
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 NETSCOUT SYSTEMS TEXAS LLC
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AI summary

Video data packets transmitted through a wireless network are captured by a network monitoring system. Video data sessions are detected from the video data packets. Key parameters are identified within the video data packets, such as video bit rate, resent or failed video packets, and video session duration. A Quality of Experience (QoE) is determined for some or all users associated with the video sessions based upon the key parameters. A header extension is added to the video data packets by a transcoding system. The header extension includes data associated with original and transcoded video data packets. The network monitoring system monitors the header extension and evaluates the effect of video transcoding upon the overall QoE for users. The monitoring system provides feedback to a transcoding policy engine based upon the effect of transcoding upon QoE.