Video Streaming Bandwidth Probing via Layered Segment Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adaptive bitrate (ABR) streaming technologies face challenges in accurately estimating available bandwidth, particularly when using short video segments, leading to potential disruptions in video playback quality due to inaccurate bandwidth estimation and the inability to probe for higher quality segments effectively.
Innovation Solution
The method involves requesting a base layer segment and an enhancement layer segment for the same temporal portion of a video, with the enhancement layer segment being delivered at a lower priority, allowing for timely reception and decoding of the base layer segment, and subsequently requesting subsequent base layer segments at higher bitrates if the enhancement layer is received on time, thereby probing available bandwidth and improving video quality without disrupting playback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If bandwidth estimation is performed by downloading video segments and measuring download speed, then available bandwidth can be estimated, but the estimation becomes inaccurate when video segments are small or delivery is bounded by encoder output rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bandwidth estimation process into two distinct phases: a probing phase where small test segments are downloaded to measure available bandwidth, and a normal playback phase where actual video segments are delivered. This segmentation allows accurate bandwidth measurement without being constrained by small segment sizes or encoder output rates during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs bandwidth probing before actual video playback begins. By downloading test segments at higher bitrates during the probing phase, the system estimates available bandwidth in advance, allowing the player to select appropriate video segments for normal playback without being limited by the constraints of small test segments or encoder output rates.
2Manufacturing precision
If enhancement layer segments are requested at high priority, then video quality can be improved, but playback disruptions occur when bandwidth is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the priority of enhancement layer segment requests based on available bandwidth. During probing phases, enhancement layers are requested at high priority to assess bandwidth capacity. During normal playback, the system dynamically modulates enhancement layer requests according to measured bandwidth conditions, ensuring video quality improvement without causing playback disruptions when bandwidth is insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where bandwidth measurement results from probing phases are used to adjust enhancement layer request priorities during normal playback. The player continuously monitors bandwidth availability and adjusts enhancement layer requests accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that balances video quality improvement with playback continuity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If scalable coding is used to provide multiple quality levels, then video quality adaptability is improved, but system complexity and overheads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bandwidth estimation function from the normal video playback process by using dedicated probing phases with test segments. This separation allows scalable coding to be used for quality adaptation during playback without the complexity of continuous bandwidth measurement during encoding, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining quality adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
According to embodiments, an enhancement layer segment may be requested in addition to a base layer segment for a same video. The enhancement layer may be requested, in a low priority, so that the base layer may be delivered in priority. If the enhancement layer can be obtained by a deadline, a subsequent base layer segment may be requested at a higher quality (e.g., at a bitrate lower than or equal to the sum of the bitrates of the previously requested base layer and enhancement layer segments). If, for example, at a playback time, the enhancement layer segment is not obtained, it may be determined that the quality cannot be increased and subsequent requests for enhancement layer segments may be cancelled (e.g., not transmitted). According to embodiments, probing may repeat (e.g., any of immediately, regularly, periodically, . . . ) to detect available bandwidth variations.