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TWI423681B - 控制媒體串流編碼的方法及系統 - Google Patents

控制媒體串流編碼的方法及系統 Download PDF

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TWI423681B
TWI423681B TW098143714A TW98143714A TWI423681B TW I423681 B TWI423681 B TW I423681B TW 098143714 A TW098143714 A TW 098143714A TW 98143714 A TW98143714 A TW 98143714A TW I423681 B TWI423681 B TW I423681B
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encoding
rate
network
transmission buffer
media
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TW098143714A
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TW201043036A (en
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Parimal Bajpai
Harish Nair Rajagopal
Vineet Govil
Senthilkumar Krishnadoss
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Sling Media Pvt Ltd
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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
  • Compression Or Coding Systems Of Tv Signals (AREA)

Description

控制媒體串流編碼的方法及系統
本發明大致上係關於用於控制在一資料連接上傳輸的一位元流(諸如一媒體串流)之編碼的技術。
本申請案係申請於2005年6月7日之美國專利申請案第11/147663號標題為「Personal media broadcasting system with output buffer」的一部分接續申請案，該案主張申請於2004年6月7日之美國臨時申請案第60/577,833號之權益。此等申請案之兩者皆以全文引用之方式併入本文中。
最近，用戶已對容許在非其等之最初的電視機處之其他位置觀看電視或其他媒體內容的「易地播放」(place shifting)裝置表達明顯的興趣。易地播放裝置一般將可在一區域網路或廣域網路上傳輸至一攜帶式電腦、行動電話、個人數位助理、遠端電視或其他可為觀看者播放經封包化之媒體串流的遠端裝置的媒體內容封包化。因此易地播放容許用戶在遠端位置(諸如其他房間、旅館、辦公室及/或攜帶式媒體播放器裝置可獲得至一無線網路或其他通信網路之接達的任何其他位置)觀看其等之媒體內容。
雖然易地播放的確在很大程度上改良提供給觀看者的方便性，但可出現有效產生及傳輸經編碼之媒體串流的挑戰性。可能受到支援的不同網路環境(例如LAN、WAN、網際網路、無線電話等等)隨時間流逝可導致編碼參數中之明顯變化。此外，數位網路(特別是基於乙太網路及/或TCP/IP型協定之網路)固有不可預知，此可導致在選擇將於產生且在任何特定網路上傳輸媒體串流中所使用的特定編碼參數之困難。此外，網路條件可非常迅速地改變，藉此導致在維持既有效又為當前之編碼參數中之困難。
因此希望產生用於控制在一網路或其他資料連接上傳輸的一媒體串流之編碼之系統及方法。結合所伴隨之圖式及此先前技術部分，從隨後之詳細描述及所附申請專利範圍將明白此等及其他希望之特徵及特性。
根據各種例示性實施例，描述提供自一編碼系統傳輸至一遠端定位之媒體播放器之一媒體串流的系統及方法。在一例示性方法中，媒體串流係根據一編碼參數而進行編碼的。收集關於在編碼系統內的一傳輸緩衝器之資料，且所收集之資料經處理以決定一網路容量估計及一經計算之編碼器速率。在隨後的編碼期間依據該網路容量估計及該經計算之編碼器速率之至少一者調整該編碼參數。
在其他實施例中，提供一種將一媒體串流在一網路上提供至一遠端播放器的媒體編碼系統。該媒體編碼系統包括：一媒體編碼模組，其經組態以接收一輸入信號且根據一編碼參數將該媒體串流進行編碼；一網路介面，其經組態以將該經編碼之媒體在該網路上傳輸至該遠端播放器；一傳輸緩衝器，其經組態以由該媒體編碼模組填充且由該網路介面清空；及一控制模組。該控制模組經組態以用於收集關於該傳輸緩衝器之資料、處理所收集之資料以決定一網路容量之一估計及一經計算之編碼器速率，及在隨後之編碼期間依據該網路容量估計及該經計算之編碼器速率之至少一者調整該編碼參數。
下面更為詳細地描述各種實施例、態樣及其他特徵。
下文將結合以下所繪之圖式描述例示性實施例，其中相同的數字表示相同的元件。
本發明之下列詳細描述在本質上僅為例示性且並非意欲限制本發明或本發明之應用及用途。此外，不希望受先前技術或以下詳細描述中所呈現的任何原理之束縛。
根據各種實施例，如以下更為完全的描述，可藉由考慮當前編碼器速率及位於編碼器及網路之間之一傳輸緩衝器之容量之特定值而在很大程度上改良媒體串流編碼之效率及效益。緩衝器之佔有行為可為實際網路容量及行為之一相對良好的指示符。因此，藉由相對於正傳輸於一網路上之串流的實際速率而考慮正產生之媒體串流的實際速率，與習知的技術相比較可明顯改良系統行為。
特定而言，在編碼及傳輸程序期間可能出現至少兩個問題。首先，若資料編碼器具有在資料連接容量以上及以下之一較寬之操作範圍，則若編碼器以比網路傳輸速率更快之或更慢之一速率來提供資料那麼可在系統輸送量中出現一個瓶頸。若編碼器以比網路傳輸速率更快之一速率操作，則在編碼器與網路之間的緩衝器將填充直至其達到該緩衝器之容量。相反，若編碼器之操作比網路傳輸速率更慢，則變成不能充分使用網路之容量。
其次，在裝置內之編碼器模組及網路處理模組之間的處理資源之指派中可出現而可導致次佳效能。例如，若編碼器消耗過於大量之處理器時間來產生媒體串流，則剩餘的處理器時間可能不足以用於網路模組傳輸資料，藉此導致資料損失及/或一劣化之使用者體驗。類似地，若編碼器以一小於最佳之速率產生資料，經編碼之信號的品質亦可小於最佳，藉此減少對於網路傳輸模組的要求。在此情形中，不能充分利用處理器，藉此又一次導致一劣化之使用者體驗。因此，在許多實現中希望以一種容許編碼器及網路處理模組兩者操作於提供盡可能最好的使用者體驗之一容量之方式來平衡編碼器與網路模組之間的處理器分配。
藉由解決傳輸緩衝器被填充及清空之實際速率，可達到對編碼處理及傳輸處理更精確之控制以導致更佳的資源分配及/或更有效的資源利用率。各種實施例可解決此等問題之任一者或兩者，及/或可視需要提供其他特徵。
現轉至所繪製之圖式且最初參考圖1，一例示性易地播放系統100適當地包含一易地播放編碼器系統102，該易地播放編碼系統接收來自一內容源106之媒體內容122，將所接收之內容編碼為一串流之格式，且接著將經編碼之媒體串流120在網路110上傳輸至一媒體播放器104。媒體播放器104適當地接收經編碼之串流120，將該串流解碼，且將該經解碼之內容在一電視上或其他顯示器108上呈現給一觀看者。在各種實施例中，可能亦提供一伺服器112以經由網路110而與編碼器系統102及/或播放器104通信而用於在互相定位、維護安全、提供或接收內容或資訊時及/或視需要之任何其他特徵援助此等裝置。然而，並非在所有實施例中皆需要此特徵，且本文中所描述之概念可部署於任何資料串流應用或環境(包含易地播放以及任何其他媒體或其他資料串流情形)中。
易地播放編碼器系統102為任何組件、硬體、軟體邏輯及/或類似物，其可在網路110上傳輸媒體內容之一封包化之串流。在各種實施例中，易地播放裝置102併入適合的編碼器及/或轉碼器(統稱為「編碼器」)邏輯以將音訊/視訊或其他媒體資料122轉換成可在網路110上傳輸之一封包化之格式。媒體資料122可以任何格式接收且可從任何內部源或外部源106(諸如任何種類之廣播、電纜或衛星電視節目源、一「隨選視訊」或類似源、一數位視訊光碟(DVD)或其他可抽取式媒體、一視訊相機及/或類似物)接收。編碼器系統102按任何方式將媒體資料122進行編碼以產生媒體串流120。在各種實施例中，編碼器系統102含有一傳輸緩衝器105，該傳輸緩衝器105暫時儲存在網路110上傳輸之前之經編碼之資料。隨著緩衝器105填充或清空，考慮到當時網路效能，可調整編碼之一個或多個參數(例如媒體串流120之位元速率)以維持所希望之圖像品質及資料輸送量。如以下更為完全之描述，各種實施例可計算一當前編碼速率及一當前網路轉移速率，且當網路轉移速率改變時能夠調整該編碼速率。在網路轉移速率中之改變可從(例如)輸出出緩衝器105之利用率的改變識別。
可使用可購自美國加州Foster市Sling Media之多種SLINGBOX產品之任一者來實現編碼系統102之某些實例，但在其他實施例中可使用其他產品。許多不同類型之編碼器系統102大體上可從一外部源106(諸如任何種類之數位視訊記錄器(DVR)、機上盒(STB)、電纜或衛星節目源、DVD播放器及/或類似物)接收媒體內容122。在此類實施例中，編碼器系統102可另外提供命令124至來源106以產生所希望之信號122。此類命令124可在任何種類之有線或無線介面(諸如一紅外發射器或模擬可由來源106接收之遠端控制命令的其他無線發射器)上提供。然而其他實施例(特別是不涉及易地播放之實施例)可完全修改或省略此特徵。
在其他實施例中，編碼器系統102可與典型關聯於來源106之任何種類之內容接收或其他能力整合。編碼器系統102可為一混合STB或其他接收器(例如其亦提供轉碼及易地播放特徵)。此一裝置可接收衛星、電纜、廣播及/或將電視節目或自一天線、數據機、伺服器及/或其他來源接收之其他內容進行編碼之其他信號。在適當的情況下，該接收器可進一步將所接收之信號進行解調變抑或解碼以擷取可在本端觀看及/或易地播放至一遠端播放器104之節目。在適當的情況下，此類裝置102亦可包含儲存於一硬碟驅動器、記憶體或其他儲存媒體上的一內容資料庫以支援一個人視訊記錄器或數位視訊記錄器(DVR)特徵或其他內容庫。因此，在某些實施例中，來源106及編碼器系統102可實體地及/或邏輯地包含於一共同組件、外殼或底盤中。
在另外其他實施例中，編碼器系統102為執行於一習知的計算系統(例如一個人電腦)之上的一軟體程式、小型應用程式或類似物。在此類實施例中，編碼器系統102可將(例如)典型提供給計算系統之一使用者的一螢幕顯示之某些或全部進行編碼以用於易地播放至一遠端位置。能夠提供此類功能性之一個裝置為執行於一習知的個人電腦上的可購自美國加州Foster市Sling Media之SlingProjector產品，但亦可使用其他產品。
媒體播放器104為任何裝置、組件、模組、硬體、軟體及/或類似物，其能夠從一個或多個編碼器系統102接收一媒體串流120。在各種實施例中，遠端播放器104為個人電腦(例如一「膝上型電腦」或類似的攜帶式電腦，但亦可使用桌上型電腦)、一行動電話、一個人數位助理、一個人媒體播放器(諸如可購自法國Igny之Archos公司之ARCHOS產品)或類似物。在許多實施例中，遠端播放器104為一般目的之一計算裝置，其軟體或韌體中包含一媒體播放器應用程式，該媒體播放器應用程式可安全連接至易地播放編碼器系統102(如以下更為完全之描述)且在適當的情況下可接收並呈現媒體內容給裝置之使用者。然而，在其他實施例中，媒體播放器104為一獨立或其他分開的硬體裝置，其能夠經由網路110之任何部分接收媒體串流120且將媒體串流120進行解碼以提供呈現於一電視機或其他顯示器108上之一輸出信號126。一獨立媒體接收器104之一個實例為可購自美國加州Foster市Sling Media之SLINGCATCHER產品，但可等效使用其他產品。
網路110為任何數位通信網路或其他通信網路，其可在發送器(例如編碼器系統102)與接收器(例如接收器104)之間傳輸訊息。在各種實施例中，網路110包含支援任何數目之通信協定的任何數目之公用或專用資料連接、鏈路或網路。網路110可包含(例如)網際網路或基於TCP/IP協定或其他習知協定的任何其他網路。在各種實施例中，網路110亦併入一無線及/或有線電話網路(諸如用於與行動電話、個人數位助理及/或類似物通信之一蜂巢式通信網路)。網路110亦可併入任何種類之無線或有線區域網路(諸如一個或多個IEEE 802.3及/或IEEE 802.11網路)。
因此編碼器系統102及/或播放器104能夠以任何方式與播放器104通信(例如分別使用任何種類之資料連接128及/或125)。在一包含(例如)網際網路的廣域鏈路及/或一電話網路上可發生此類通信；在其他實施例中，在概念性地併入於網路110內的一或多個有線或無線區域鏈路上可發生裝置102與104之間之通信。在各種等效實施例中，編碼器系統102及接收器104可經由具備少量其他網路功能性或不具備其他功能性之任何種類的電纜(例如一乙太網路電纜或類似物)直接連接。
可基於可用的計算資源、通信資源、用戶需求及/或任何其他因數而公式化許多不同的易地播放情境。在各種實施例中，用戶可能希望在一住宅、辦公室或其他建築物中將內容易地播放(諸如從一易地播放編碼器系統102至位於另一房間中的一桌上型電腦或攜帶式電腦)。在此等實施例中，將在建築物中操作的一個有線或無線區域網路上典型地提供內容流。在其他實施例中，用戶可能希望在一寬頻的或類似的網路連接上從一原始位置將內容易地播放至位於一第二住宅、辦公室、旅館或其他遠端位置的一電腦或其他遠端播放器104。在另一些其他實施例中，用戶可能希望經由一行動鏈路(例如一個GSM/EDGE或CDMA/EVDO連接、任何種類之3G或隨後之電話鏈路、一個IEEE 802.11「Wi-fi」鏈路及/或類似物)而將內容易地播放至一行動電話、個人數位助理、媒體播放器、視訊遊戲播放器、汽車或其他車輛媒體播放器及/或其他裝置。可用於多種平台之易地播放應用程式之某些實例由美國加州Foster市Sling Media提供，但本文中所描述之概念可結合可購自任何來源之產品及服務而使用。
接著，編碼器系統102基於自媒體源106接收之內容122而大致產生可在網路110上路由的一媒體串流120。為此，且現參考圖2，編碼器系統102典型包含：結合適當控制邏輯205的一編碼器模組202、一緩衝器105及一網路介面206。在操作時，編碼器模組202從一內部源或外部源106典型接收媒體內容122，將資料編碼為用於媒體串流120之所欲格式，且將經編碼之資料儲存於緩衝器105中。接著網路介面206從緩衝器105擷取經格式化之資料以用於在網路110上傳輸。控制模組205適當監視及控制由編碼模組202及網路介面206分別實行的編碼及網路傳輸程序，且亦可執行其他特徵。如上所述，編碼器系統102亦可具有能夠產生並提供命令124至一外部媒體源106之一模組208或其他特徵。
在圖2中所繪示之例示性實施例中，模組202、105、205、206及208可以源始代碼、目標代碼及/或任何其他格式而在常駐於編碼器系統102中之任何記憶體、大量儲存器或其他儲存媒體中的軟體或韌體內實現。可在執行於編碼器系統102中之任何種類的處理器或微控制器上執行此類特徵。在各種實施例中，編碼器系統102係作為具有整合之處理、儲存及輸入/輸出特徵的一個單晶片系統(SoC)類型之系統而實現。在適當的情況下，多種SoC硬體實施可購自Texas Instruments、Conexant Systems、Broadcom Inc.及其他供應商。其他實施例可視需要使用任何數目之離散及/或整合之處理組件、記憶體、輸入/輸出特徵及/或其他特徵。
如以上所注意到的，產生一媒體串流120典型涉及將自一內部或外部媒體源106接收的一輸入媒體串流122進行編碼及/或轉碼成可在網路110上傳輸之一合適的數位格式。一般而言，媒體串流120被置於可在網路110上傳輸的一標準格式或其他已知格式中(例如，可購自Microsoft Corporation of Redmond,Washington之WINDOWS MEDIA 格式，但在任何其他實施例中可使用其他格式(諸如QUICKTIME格式、REALPLAYER格式、MPEG格式及/或類似者))。在適當的情況下，可在(例如)任何種類之編碼模組202中發生此編碼。編碼模組202可為任何種類之硬體(例如一數位信號處理器或用於媒體編碼之其他積體電路)、軟體(例如用於在SoC或上述其他處理器上執行之媒體編碼之軟體程式設計或韌體程式設計)或類似物。因此編碼模組202為自內部源或外部源106(例如經由任何種類之硬體介面及/或軟體介面)接收媒體資料122並將所接收之資料編碼或轉碼成用於在網路110上傳輸之所欲格式的任何特徵。雖然圖2繪示一單個編碼模組202，但實際上系統102可包含任何數目之編碼模組202。可基於播放器104之偏好、網路條件及/或類似者而選擇不同的編碼模組202。
在各種實施例中，編碼器202亦可在轉碼程序之前或轉碼程序期間將其他修改、變換及/或過濾應用至所接收之內容。例如可將視訊信號進行重調大小、剪裁及/或偏斜。類似地，可改變信號之顏色、色調及/或飽和度，及/或可應用雜訊降低或其他過濾。可藉由調整音量、取樣速率、單聲道/立體聲參數、雜訊降低、多重通道聲音參數及/或類似者而修改音訊信號。在某些實施例中視需要亦可應用數位權利管理編碼及/或解碼及/或可應用其他特徵。
如以上所注意到的，可在編碼程序期間調整編碼程序的一個或多個參數(例如位元速率、圖框速率、影像解析度及/或其他參數)以產生修改或調諧至網路110之當時能力的一媒體串流120。例如，可回應於網路110之一所量測的能力而調整編碼位元速率。即，當網路條件能夠適應與較高速率相關聯之較大頻寬消耗時可增加位元速率；相反，當網路條件不能夠適應更大需求時可減小位元速率。藉由回應於網路效能而調整編碼程序之位元速率，可在相當大之程度上改良使用者之體驗。
網路介面206涉及容許編碼系統102在網路110上通信之任何硬體、軟體及/或韌體。在各種實施例中，網路介面206視需要包含合適的網路堆疊程式設計及其他特徵及/或習知的網路介面(NIC)硬體(諸如任何有線或無線介面)。
在各種實施例中，控制模組205監視並控制由編碼模組202及網路介面206分別執行之編碼程序及傳輸程序。為此，控制模組205為任何能執行此類特徵之硬體、軟體、韌體或其等之組合。在各種實施例中，控制模組205進一步處理自遠端播放器經由網路介面206而接收之命令(例如藉由經由一命令模組208或類似物發送命令124至媒體源106)。控制模組205亦可經由網路介面206傳輸命令至遠端播放器104及/或可控制抑或者影響編碼器系統102之任何其他操作。在各種實施例中，控制模組205實現用於監視及調整編碼器202及/或網路介面106之操作的控制特徵以將媒體串流有效提供至遠端播放器104。
一種用於監視網路110之能力的技術包含監視編碼器系統102中之一緩衝器105的填滿度及/或利用率以及緩衝器105填充及清空之速率。緩衝器105典型為能夠暫時儲存在傳輸於網路110上之前之經編碼之資料的任何種類之硬體特徵及/或軟體特徵。一般而言，緩衝器105實現於與編碼器101相關聯之記憶體或大量儲存器之一部分內。若緩衝器105保持相對清空，則可推論資料傳輸速率與資料編碼速率相對良好地匹配。即資料以與其被編碼之速率大約相同之速率傳輸。然而，若緩衝器105正填充中，此指示編碼器產生資料快於網路110可傳輸該資料。
圖3繪示在描述緩衝器105之某些條件中可能有用的一種類/浮水印結構之一實例。在圖3之例示性實施例中，緩衝器105之頂端表示出現少量經緩衝之資料或不出現經緩衝之資料的一種清空狀態，且緩衝器105之底端表示相對少量的可用空間或無可用空間用於緩衝額外資料的一種填滿狀態。如圖3中所注意到的，在緩衝器105中之可用空間量可由多種例示性狀態302(「紅利」)、304(「綠色」)、306(「黃色」)、308(「紅色」)及310(「填滿」)表示。其他實施例可使用任何數目之具有不同相對大小、描述符或其他特徵的狀態，在圖3之實例中，一「紅利」狀態302可被認為是當可能使用相對積極參數時之相對緩衝器清空(例如少於約15%左右)的一狀態。「綠色」狀態304可表示緩衝器105中有一些資料(例如約15%至30%左右)但緩衝器之一實質部分保持可供使用。「黃色」狀態306可表示緩衝器105某種程度上較多填充(例如約30%至70%左右)，以「紅色」狀態表示相對緩衝器填滿之一條件(例如約70%至85%左右)。「填滿」狀態可表示其中緩衝器僅僅騰空(例如丟棄資料)以避免溢出的條件。然而此條件可在呈現於觀看者的內容串流中產生間隙。如以上所注意到的，其他實施例視需要可使用任何數目的廣泛不同之狀態302至310以描述緩衝器105，其中任何狀態或者狀態的組合具有任何大小、上限或下限或其他參數。
在一習知環境中，在多種狀態302至310之間的界限可表示指示轉變點的「浮水印」，其中向上調整及/或向下調整位元速率(或其他編碼參數)。例如，當緩衝器利用率從「黃色」狀態306移動至「綠色」狀態304時，可增加位元速率以利用過剩的容量。類似地，當緩衝器利用率從該圖式之頂端(如圖3中所繪示)朝該圖式之底端突破一浮水印時可減少位元速率。
在各種實施例中，可擴展浮水印之此廣義概念以更進一步改良效能。例如，可基於編碼器速率及緩衝器容量之實際量測/觀察值而在種類內作調整(或相反)而非將參數之改變限制於出現浮水印突破。例如，可基於裁剪至實際的緩衝器條件之一特定數量而非僅僅根據以經驗為主的抑或在一不同時間決定的一預定數量來調整編碼器速率(或其他適當參數)。另外，在操作之不同位準可採取不同行動。例如與較低位準相比較，在較高位準(例如「紅利」位準302或「綠色」位準304)可執行更積極編碼(例如增加編碼位元速率)。因此即使尚未跨過一浮水印(舉例而言)在「綠色」操作期間有可能且需要增加位元速率。類似地，即使跟隨一浮水印轉變，在「紅色」操作或「黃色」操作期間可能需要在一較低位準上維持位元速率(或其他參數)以在作出更積極參數改變之前令緩衝器在某種程度上清空。接著，可使用較進階之處理以獲得較佳效能及/或較佳資產利用率而非僅僅回應於浮水印轉變而向上或向下調整位元速率或者其他參數。以下陳述一例示性實現之額外細節。
某些實施例為了方便、反向相容性、對於量測、計算或其他容許度之補償及/或類似物而可進一步保留浮水印結構(諸如繪示於圖3中之結構300)之使用。在各種實施例中，由一個或多個浮水印表示之特定位準可視需要在操作期間向上或向下調整以反映編碼及傳輸之當前狀態。一般而言，在適當的情況下浮水印可依據任何已知的且可量測的參數(諸如網路容量、編碼器位元速率、視訊寬度及高度及/或其他因數)而變化。
現轉至圖4，用於控制一媒體串流120之編碼的一例示性方法400適當地包含廣義步驟：收集資料(步驟406)，處理所收集之資料(步驟408)，在適當時間(步驟410、414、416)調整一個或多個編碼參數(步驟412、415)，及在適當時間(步驟402、404)調整任何浮水印。一般而言，可用編碼器系統102內任何種類之硬體、軟體及/或韌體邏輯實行方法400之多個步驟。例如，在適當情況下可藉由控制邏輯205(圖2)結合編碼器邏輯202、緩衝器105及網路介面206進行操作來實行方法400。在各種實施例中，方法400之多個步驟係回應於儲存於一記憶體中或者儲存於一磁碟驅動器及/或與編碼器系統102相關聯的其他儲存器上的軟體指令或韌體指令而實行。此類指令可由任何處理器及/或其他編碼器系統102內之處理特徵或類似物執行。於是，用於實現圖4中所繪示之多個功能之各者的特定構件可為執行習知以任何格式之軟體邏輯的任何種類之處理硬體(諸如圖2之控制器205)。
一般而言，浮水印可在任何規則之基礎或不規則之基礎上進行調整(步驟402)。在各種實施例中，視需要在任何規則之時間基礎上(例如每二秒左右)、任何不規則之邏輯基礎上(例如方法400之每第n次反覆，諸如每第10次反覆左右)或在任何其他基礎上重算浮水印(步驟404)。在一例示性實施例中，方法400以約每100毫秒左右之一頻率重複(其他實施例可不同)，而浮水印在每第10次反覆左右上進行重算，藉此導致約每二秒進行重算。其他實施例可視需要使用其他參數及/或可考慮其他因數。例如，在某些實施例中當已知已調整編碼參數時可重算浮水印；相反，當已知自上一次重算起編碼參數尚未調整時某些實施例可省略重算。其他實施例可以任何方式補充或修改步驟402。
浮水印係根據任何合適的參數、約束或技術而進行計算的(步驟404)。一般而言，浮水印係基於經調整之參數(例如位元速率)的當時值而進行計算的。在各種實施例中，在適當情況下可在決定新浮水印時使用當前參數值及先前參數值之一平均(或加權平均)。在產生平均時所使用之歷史資料量可以任何方式決定，且歷史資料可視需要加權(例如以便給予較舊之資料較少的權重)。
資料係在任何適當基礎上收集的(步驟406)。在各種實施例中，資料係在一相對規則之時間基礎上(例如每100毫秒左右)收集的，儘管其他實施例可在一較不規則之基礎上或其他基礎上收集資料。在適當情況下，在步驟406中所收集之資料為容許計算網路容量、編碼器位元速率及/或其他因數之任何資訊。在各種實施例中，所收集之資料係關於自步驟406之上一次反覆起轉移之網路流量之數量(例如位元組之數目)、自步驟406之上一次反覆起產生之經編碼資料之數量(例如以位元組計)及/或當前緩衝器佔有位準(例如以位元組表達或作為總緩衝器容量之一百分比而表達)。在任意數目之交替實施例中可聚集其他因數或參數。
接著處理所收集之資料以得到網路容量之一估計值及一經計算之編碼器速率(步驟408)。在各種實施例中，在步驟406中所收集之值可在任何適當時間週期(例如一秒左右)進行平均以減少可能發生之相對短期暫態之影響。例如，可基於在某個適當的最近時間週期(例如一秒左右)轉移之網路流量之平均數量計算網路容量。可基於在一相關的時間週期(例如一秒左右)實際的及/或平均的所保存之編碼器速率類似地計算編碼器速率。因此，藉由追蹤緩衝器105之填充速率(例如編碼器速率)及清空速率(例如網路傳輸速率)可輕易地識別該等兩者之間的任何差異。類似地，可使用在一相對較近之時間週期之平均緩衝器佔有來估計當前操作區域。在各種實施例中，可基於比執行其他計算所使用之平均時間窗少的樣本(例如表示一較短時間週期，諸如約0.5秒左右)之一平均而調整操作區域。在適當情況下，用於計算多個值的平均可用方法400之各次反覆來改變，使得該等平均為有效「滑動」之平均。亦可以任何方式考慮系統處理器負載。在各種實施例中，可以任何方式追蹤並補償處理器之過度利用及/或未充分利用。
可以任何方式在編碼參數(例如位元速率)中作出改變(步驟410及412)。在各種實施例中，編碼參數係根據多個準則於方法400之各次反覆(例如大致每100毫秒左右)而進行評估的。在圖4中所繪示之例示性實施例中，當緩衝器利用率發生改變時調整編碼參數(步驟410)。例如，當緩衝器利用率增加或減少至一新狀態302至310(圖3)時，可調整該速率以反映該較新狀態。注意在各種實施例中，歸因於步驟404中之重算，所使用之特殊狀態界限或浮水印可因方法400之諸反覆而不同。另外，在某些實施例中，在緩衝器利用率中只有某些改變將觸發編碼參數之改變。如以上所注意，為防止緩衝器105過度填充、容許緩衝器105清空及/或為任何其他原因，當(例如)操作穿過將「紅色」與「黃色」(及/或「黃色」與「綠色」)操作分開之狀態界限時，可不調整編碼參數。可視需要應用其他規則使得參數調整不必回應於所有狀態轉變而執行。另外，即使尚未出現狀態轉變可能執行調整。例如，調整可適合於在一操作狀態內之「微調諧」之操作，或者可單獨基於相關的緩衝器填充速率及清空速率及/或總緩衝器利用率之值作出調整而不必考慮是否已突破一特定的浮水印或者已出現其他狀態轉變。
若一參數調整經許可，則可視需要向上或向下調整特定的編碼參數(步驟412)。例如，可增加或減少編碼位元速率以反映(例如)增加或減少之網路能力。特定的改變量將取決於特定的實施例及多種其他因數。例如，由於緩衝器空間可用於補償任何過度積極，因此當緩衝器105為相對空的時位元速率之改變可更積極地增加。相反，當緩衝器105為相對填滿時可更為保守地應用速率之增加。在適當情況下可考慮其他因數。
在許多實施例中，可能不希望對編碼參數作出過於頻繁之改變。在參數改變之間維持至少某個時間間隔可容許有效緩衝器使用，且可減少在網路容量及/或處理器負載中的短暫改變之任何暫態效應，藉此改良使用者之體驗。在時間改變中的此延遲反映於在圖4中可視需要調整(步驟413及415)的一「時間間隔」參數中。可能有利者(例如)在任何改變之後防止隨後之參數改變長達一秒左右以便可更為謹慎地考慮改變之效應。再者，由於存在誤差之額外容限，因此當緩衝器為相對空的時在改變之間的延遲量可能較少。類似地，位元速率(或一類似參數)之一減少之後所跟隨的延遲量可能少於位元速率之一增加之後所跟隨的延遲量。在各種實施例中，可在一稍後時刻(例如步驟414)考慮步驟415中所設定的時間間隔參數以決定是否容許對位元速率(或其他編碼參數)進行調整。
除回應於步驟410中之一浮水印之突破而容許編碼參數中的改變之外，當情況另有許可時各種實施例進一步調整編碼參數(步驟416)。調整可視需要包含對位元速率、圖框速率、影像解析度、音訊品質或視訊品質或者任何其他參數或特徵之任何改變。例如，可調整編碼參數以匹配步驟408中所作的網路容量計算。例如，若網路速率明顯大於或明顯小於編碼速率，則即使緩衝器利用率不指示一區域轉變/浮水印突破可能調整編碼速率以匹配網路能力。
藉由回應於緩衝器105之實際填充速率及實際清空速率調整編碼參數(例如編碼位元速率)，可在實質上改良編碼系統102之效能。藉由量測及操縱緩衝器105之填充速率及/或清空速率(例如，盡可能接近地將填充速率及清空速率彼此調適)，可明顯地改良使用者之體驗。此外，藉由在調整編碼參數中考慮處理器利用率，可更有效地利用處理器，藉此防止可源自不平衡的問題。
用於調整一個或多個編碼參數之特定技術可因使用本文中所陳述之一般概念的諸實施例而明顯不同。以下呈現一個詳細的實施例，其欲作為可在一例示性編碼系統或技術中實施之特徵種類的一個實例。然而，在此實例中所使用之多個參數及值係完全針對繪示之目的且並非希望係作為唯一的抑或限制性的。
再次參考圖3，可基於任何合適的條件而作出至紅利區域302中之一轉變。在一項實施例中，若所估計之網路速率(「NET」)明顯大於(例如大於超過25%)編碼器之設定速率(「SET」)及/或經計算之編碼器輸出速率(「ASF」)，則從任何其他區域進入紅利區域302。在許多實施例中，可能希望實際的經計算之編碼器速率在設定值的大約10%左右以內。當(例如)網路效能在最近過去惡化但現已恢復時可希望網路速率明顯超過設定的或實際的編碼器速率。在此類情形中，積極校正可能為合適的，因此可設定編碼器速率為網路速率之一實質部分(例如80%左右)。然而，此新編碼器速率可能受限於來自最近過去的峰值網路峰值。該編碼器速率可能受到限制(例如)以不超過某個適當時間週期(例如500毫秒至1000毫秒左右)之平均網路速率或峰值網路速率或者所獲得的某個數目(例如5個左右)之先前值。由於此特定調整回應於非常正之網路效能，因此即使自先前之一調整起出現少許延遲或尚未出現延遲可在某些實施例中執行紅利轉變。
參數轉變亦可在區域內發生。例如在紅利區域302內，隨著網路效能增加(例如，增加至一最大值為網路速率的80%左右，如上所述，該最大值可能受最近過去的網路效能中所觀察到之平均值或峰值數值約束)可增加編碼速率。可視需要將此類調整限制於適當的時間間隔(諸如每2秒左右)。雖然80%左右為用於此特定繪示而非希望在所有實施例上進行限制之一例示性值，但由於該值容許在「紅利」或類似條件期間之可用網路資源之一相對高的利用率同時仍對於網路效能中隨後之劣化提供一充裕的容限，因此實務上已識別該一般值提供一特定有利結果。如本文中所使用之「大約80%」大致上包含約70%至90%左右之一範圍，儘管取決於特定應用及設定所希望之精確度及容許度之特定位準，在其他實施例中可使用75%至85%或甚至78%至82%。
視需要亦可基於緩衝器105之佔有增加編碼參數。例如，在「紅利」區域302內若該緩衝器清空則編碼器設定值可增加5%左右，且若該緩衝器在一適當時間週期(例如500毫秒左右)內保持清空則編碼器設定值較積極地增加(例如，增加10%左右)。可視需要及時約束此等調整：較小調整僅可能出現在先前之速率在某個時間週期(例如5秒左右)內已適當之後，但由於在此實例中在較積極之調整前的一時間週期觀察緩衝器佔有，因此在該速率已穩定達一段較短週期(例如2秒左右)之後可能出現較積極之調整。
可以任何方式執行編碼參數之其他向上調整。然而，在一例示性實施例中僅回應於緩衝器達到一「紅利」位準之效能(例如，網路速率超過經組態之編碼器速率及/或實際編碼器速率達一明顯容限)而向上調整編碼參數以用於保守操作。然而，視需要在其他實施例中可容許在非紅利效能區域之間的向上轉變。
亦可以任何方式出現向下調整。例如，若在「紅利」操作期間緩衝器105之佔有突然增加(例如達到圖3中對應於大約75%至85%左右滿的「紅色」區域308)，則(例如)可能希望減少編碼速率。例如，減少設定之編碼器速率至網路速率及/或當前設定之編碼器速率(或者網路速率及編碼器速率之較小者)的大約70%可能為適當的；即使自先前之調整起出現少許延遲或尚未出現延遲可出現此轉變。此向下調整可概念化為某種程度上類似於將效能從「紅利」位準減少至「綠色」位準，儘管實際轉變將基於實際編碼速率及網路速率而非簡單地基於區域轉變。
視需要可在其他位準之效能中出現其他向下轉變。例如，若系統當前在「綠色」區域304中操作，又緩衝器佔有劇烈地增加(例如增加至「紅色」區域308，或大約為70%至85%滿)，則視需要可減少編碼速率至網路速率及/或設定速率(或者網路速率及設定速率之較小者)之大約80%(左右)。在某些實施例中此轉變可能出現在自先前調整起已經過一秒鐘(左右)之時間之後。其他實施例可另外(或替代地)約束新編碼器速率以防止當緩衝器105幾乎變滿時發生大於先前之編碼速率之一適當百分比(例如50%左右)的改變。即，若在網路速率中之一明顯搖擺強加一明顯劣化，則可能希望回應於此類情形而不在編碼速率中突然產生巨大的偏移。即使在先前調整之後出現少許延遲或尚未出現延遲可執行此類調整(儘管當編碼器速率已相當低時可強加某個延遲(例如500毫秒左右)以防止過度劣化至非常低的編碼器速率)。
在某些實施例中，可能希望防止在輕微轉變週期期間之劣化。若實際的編碼器速率明顯大於(例如大於10%左右)設定速率，可能希望在一時間週期完全不做任何事(即維持當前編碼器速率)，但是緩衝器105並未過滿且其他條件另有許可。例如，若該系統暫時從綠色效能劣化為黃色效能，又實際編碼器速率仍比設定速率更好地進行操作，可能可以保留綠色編碼器速率直到條件另有許可一調整。
視需要亦可在編碼器速率中執行較不劇烈的調整。例如，若網路速率小於設定之編碼器速率，又緩衝器利用率正穩定上升，則可能希望減少所設定之編碼器速率10%(左右)以回應於向下之趨勢。然而，此類趨勢可能由暫時的網路壅塞(或其他網路效應)引起，因此在此類時間期間可能不希望在設定新選的編碼器速率中使用網路速率。另外，對於此類轉變可能希望在某些例項中防止在編碼器速率中之過大的偏移(例如大於30%左右之偏移)。可能直到在一先前調整之後出現一適當的延遲(例如1秒左右)才執行此類調整。
在前述實例中，可基於特定值而調整編碼參數(例如，一經編碼之媒體串流的位元速率或類似者)，該等特定值係基於緩衝器105填充及清空之速率而觀察及/或計算，藉此提供明顯比單純依賴於浮水印轉變或類似者之先前技術更大的彈性及效能。此導致一明顯增強之使用者體驗。
如以上所注意到的，前述實例之特定調整、轉變、轉變參數、時序參數及其他特定特徵係單純意欲用於繪示之目的，且並非欲具有限制性。其他實施例可提供參數速率調整技術及系統，其與本文中所描述之該等參數速率調整技術及系統明顯不同，且使用任何數目的交替(或額外)參數及參數值。
本文中之術語「例示性」係用於表示可能具有任何數目之替代項的一實例、例項或圖解。不必認為本文中作為例示性之描述的任何實施方案比其他實施方案更佳或更有利。雖然已在前述的詳細描述中呈現若干例示性實施例，但應瞭解存在大量的替代且等效之變動，且無論如何本文中所呈現之實例並非意欲用於限制本發明之範圍、應用或組態。相反，可不脫離申請專利範圍之範疇及申請專利範圍之法律等效物而在所描述之元件的功能及配置中作多種改變。
100．．．易地播放系統
102．．．易地播放編碼器系統
104．．．媒體播放器
105．．．傳輸緩衝器
106．．．內容源
108．．．顯示器
110．．．網路
112．．．伺服器
120．．．經編碼媒體串流
122．．．媒體資料
124．．．命令
125．．．資料連接
126．．．輸出信號
202．．．編碼模組
205．．．控制模組
206．．．網路介面
208．．．命令模組
圖1係一例示性媒體編碼系統之一方塊圖；
圖2係一例示性媒體編碼裝置之一方塊圖；
圖3係在描述某些緩衝器條件中可能有用之一例示性種類/浮水印結構之一圖形；及
圖4係用於控制一媒體串流之編碼之一例示性程序之一流程圖。
100．．．易地播放系統
102．．．易地播放編碼器系統
104．．．媒體播放器
105．．．傳輸緩衝器
106．．．內容源
108．．．顯示器
110．．．網路
112．．．伺服器
120．．．經編碼媒體串流
122．．．媒體資料
124．．．命令
125．．．資料連接
126．．．輸出信號

Claims (18)

  1. 一種將自一編碼系統提供至一遠端定位之媒體播放器的一媒體串流進行編碼的方法，該方法包括：根據至少一編碼參數在該編碼系統處將該媒體串流進行編碼；收集關於在該編碼系統內接收該經編碼之媒體串流之一傳輸緩衝器的資料；處理該所收集之關於該傳輸緩衝器之資料以決定一網路容量估計及一經計算之編碼器速率，其中該網路容量估計係基於離開該傳輸緩衝器之資料之一速率；在隨後之編碼期間依據該網路容量估計及該經計算之編碼器速率之至少一者調整該至少一編碼參數；及傳輸該經編碼之媒體串流至該遠端定位之媒體播放器。
  2. 如請求項1之方法，其中該編碼參數為該媒體串流之一位元速率。
  3. 如請求項1之方法，其中該收集包括監視進入及離開該傳輸緩衝器之資料量。
  4. 如請求項1之方法，其中該網路容量估計係基於離開該傳輸緩衝器之資料之該速率之一加權平均。
  5. 如請求項1之方法，其中該經計算之編碼器速率係基於進入該傳輸緩衝器之資料之一速率。
  6. 如請求項1之方法，其中該經計算之編碼器速率係基於進入該傳輸緩衝器之資料之一加權平均速率。
  7. 如請求項1之方法，其中該調整包括回應於在該網路容量估計中之改變而調整該編碼參數。
  8. 如請求項1之方法，其進一步包括調整一浮水印值。
  9. 如請求項8之方法，其中該浮水印值係在一規則時間基礎上自動調整的。
  10. 如請求項1之方法，其進一步包括在對該至少一編碼參數之一先前調整之後一個時間間隔內不容許對該至少一編碼參數進行進一步調整。
  11. 如請求項10之方法，其進一步包括基於該先前調整而調整該時間間隔。
  12. 如請求項1之方法，其中該調整回應於與該編碼系統相關聯的一處理器之一利用率而執行。
  13. 如請求項1之方法，其中該編碼參數對應於一編碼速率且該網路容量估計對應於該網路清空該傳輸緩衝器的一經估計之速率。
  14. 如請求項13之方法，其中該調整包括當該網路容量估計明顯超過該經計算之編碼器速率時將該編碼速率設定至該網路清空該傳輸緩衝器的該經估計之速率之一預定百分比。
  15. 如請求項14之方法，其中該預定百分比約為80%。
  16. 一種將提供至一遠端定位之媒體播放器的一媒體串流進行編碼的系統，該系統包括：一傳輸緩衝器；用於根據至少一編碼參數將該媒體串流進行編碼且將 該經編碼之媒體串流提供至該傳輸緩衝器的構件；用於控制該系統之構件，其中該控制構件經組態以用於收集關於該傳輸緩衝器之利用率的資料、處理該所收集之資料以基於該傳輸緩衝器清空之一速率而決定一網路容量估計且基於該傳輸緩衝器填充之一速率而決定一經計算之編碼器速率，以及在隨後之編碼期間依據該網路容量估計及該經計算之編碼器速率之至少一者調整在該編碼構件中之該至少一編碼參數；及用於將該經編碼之媒體串流傳輸至該遠端定位之媒體播放器的構件。
  17. 一種將一媒體串流在一網路上提供至一遠端播放器的媒體編碼系統，該媒體編碼系統包括：一媒體編碼模組，其經組態以接收一輸入信號且根據至少一編碼參數而將該媒體串流進行編碼；一網路介面，其經組態以將該經編碼之媒體串流在該網路上傳輸至該遠端播放器；一傳輸緩衝器，其經組態以由該媒體編碼模組填充且由該網路介面清空；及一控制模組，其經組態以用於收集關於該傳輸緩衝器之資料、處理該所收集之資料以基於該傳輸緩衝器清空之一速率而決定一網路容量之一估計及基於該傳輸緩衝器填充之一速率而決定一經計算之編碼器速率，以及在隨後之編碼期間依據該網路容量估計及該經計算之編碼器速率之至少一者調整該至少一編碼參數。
  18. 如請求項17之媒體編碼系統，其中該處理器經進一步組態以基於該經估計之網路容量而調整該編碼參數以達到該編碼器速率之一所需值。
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