U.S. patent application number 17/708687 was filed with the patent office on 2022-07-14 for methods, devices, and systems for updating streaming panoramic video content due to a change in user viewpoint.
This patent application is currently assigned to AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.. The applicant listed for this patent is AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.. Invention is credited to Varun Gupta, Michael Hwang, Rittwik Jana, John F. Murray, Shu Shi.
Application Number | 20220224953 17/708687 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220224953 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shi; Shu ; et al. |
July 14, 2022 |
METHODS, DEVICES, AND SYSTEMS FOR UPDATING STREAMING PANORAMIC
VIDEO CONTENT DUE TO A CHANGE IN USER VIEWPOINT
Abstract
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example,
embodiments comprising obtaining a plurality of original frames for
video content, receiving a first viewpoint from a mobile device,
and processing the plurality of original frames according to the
first viewpoint generating a plurality of first viewpoint frames.
Further embodiments include providing the plurality of first
viewpoint frames to the mobile device, generating a group of delta
frames in response to receiving a change in viewpoint from the
mobile device, and providing the group of delta frames to the
mobile device. The mobile device processes a portion of the
plurality of first viewpoint frames according to the group of delta
frames to generate a group of second viewpoint frames and the
mobile device presents the group of second viewpoint frames. Other
embodiments are disclosed.
Inventors: |
Shi; Shu; (Summit, NJ)
; Gupta; Varun; (Mountain View, CA) ; Jana;
Rittwik; (Montville, NJ) ; Murray; John F.;
(Denville, NJ) ; Hwang; Michael; (New Providence,
NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
AT&T Intellectual Property I,
L.P.
Atlanta
GA
|
Appl. No.: |
17/708687 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16196803 |
Nov 20, 2018 |
11323754 |
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17708687 |
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International
Class: |
H04N 21/2343 20060101
H04N021/2343; H04N 5/232 20060101 H04N005/232; H04N 21/433 20060101
H04N021/433; H04N 21/442 20060101 H04N021/442 |
Claims
1. A device, comprising: a processing system including a processor;
and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when
executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of
operations, the operations comprising: determining a first
viewpoint of the device; receiving, from a server, a plurality of
first viewpoint frames representing a first view corresponding to
the first viewpoint of the device; inserting the plurality of first
viewpoint frames in a buffer until viewed at the device; detecting
a change in viewpoint from the first viewpoint of the device to a
second viewpoint of the device; sending a request to the server,
wherein the request includes information describing the second
viewpoint and a frame index corresponding to one of the plurality
of first viewpoint frames in the buffer; receiving, from the
server, a group of delta frames; and applying the group of delta
frames to at least a portion of the plurality of first viewpoint
frames in the buffer starting at a first viewpoint frame
corresponding to the frame index to create second viewpoint frames
representing a second view corresponding to the second viewpoint of
the device.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise
determining the frame index to send to the server based on a
current frame index, a latency value, and a video frame rate.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein: the receiving the plurality of
first viewpoint frames comprises receiving the plurality of first
viewpoint frames using a first streaming protocol; and the
receiving the group of delta frames comprises receiving the group
of delta frames using a second streaming protocol different from
the first streaming protocol.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the first streaming protocol
comprises one of real-time messaging protocol (RTMP), real-time
transport protocol (RTP), or Web Real-time Communications (WebRTC)
protocol.
5. The device of claim 3, wherein the operations further comprise
modifying the first streaming protocol resulting in the second
streaming protocol.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the detecting the change in
viewpoint from the first viewpoint to the second viewpoint
comprises receiving the change in viewpoint from a sensor on the
device.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the group of delta frames
comprises reprocessed versions of a portion of the plurality of
first viewpoint frames according to the change in viewpoint.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a mobile
device.
9. A non-transitory, machine-readable medium, comprising executable
instructions that, when executed by a processing system of a device
including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the
operations comprising: determining a first viewpoint of the device;
receiving, from a server, a plurality of first viewpoint frames
representing a first view corresponding to the first viewpoint of
the device; inserting the plurality of first viewpoint frames in a
buffer until viewed at the device; detecting a change in viewpoint
from the first viewpoint of the device to a second viewpoint of the
device; sending a request to the server, wherein the request
includes information describing the second viewpoint and a frame
index corresponding to one of the plurality of first viewpoint
frames in the buffer; receiving, from the server, a group of delta
frames; and applying the group of delta frames to at least a
portion of the plurality of first viewpoint frames in the buffer
starting at a first viewpoint frame corresponding to the frame
index to create second viewpoint frames representing a second view
corresponding to the second viewpoint of the device.
10. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein
the operations further comprise determining the frame index to send
to the server based on a current frame index, a latency value, and
a video frame rate.
11. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 9,
wherein: the receiving the plurality of first viewpoint frames
comprises receiving the plurality of first viewpoint frames using a
first streaming protocol; and the receiving the group of delta
frames comprises receiving the group of delta frames using a second
streaming protocol different from the first streaming protocol.
12. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein
the detecting the change in viewpoint from the first viewpoint to
the second viewpoint comprises receiving the change in viewpoint
from a sensor on the device.
13. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein
the detecting the change in viewpoint from the first viewpoint to
the second viewpoint comprises analyzing a captured image of a user
of the device.
14. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein
the group of delta frames comprises reprocessed versions of a
portion of the plurality of first viewpoint frames according to the
change in viewpoint.
15. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein
the device comprises a mobile device.
16. A method, comprising: determining, by a processing system in a
device including a processor, a first viewpoint of the device;
receiving, by the processing system, from a server, a plurality of
first viewpoint frames representing a first view corresponding to
the first viewpoint of the device; inserting, by the processing
system, the plurality of first viewpoint frames in a buffer until
viewed at the device; detecting, by the processing system, a change
in viewpoint from the first viewpoint of the device to a second
viewpoint of the device; sending, by the processing system, a
request to the server, wherein the request includes information
describing the second viewpoint and a frame index corresponding to
one of the plurality of first viewpoint frames in the buffer;
receiving, by the processing system, from the server, a group of
delta frames; and applying, by the processing system, the group of
delta frames to at least a portion of the plurality of first
viewpoint frames in the buffer starting at a first viewpoint frame
corresponding to the frame index to create second viewpoint frames
representing a second view corresponding to the second viewpoint of
the device.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining the
frame index to send to the server based on a current frame index, a
latency value, and a video frame rate.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein: the receiving the plurality of
first viewpoint frames comprises receiving the plurality of first
viewpoint frames using a first streaming protocol; and the
receiving the group of delta frames comprises receiving the group
of delta frames using a second streaming protocol different from
the first streaming protocol.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first streaming protocol
comprises one of real-time messaging protocol (RTMP), real-time
transport protocol (RTP), or Web Real-time Communications (WebRTC)
protocol.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising modifying the first
streaming protocol resulting in the second streaming protocol.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/196,803 filed Nov. 20, 2018. The contents
of the foregoing is hereby incorporated by reference into this
application as if set forth herein in full.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The subject disclosure relates to methods, devices, and
systems for updating streaming panoramic video content due to a
change in user viewpoint.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The current state of the art for streaming panoramic video
content can include streaming, by a server, a portion of the
panoramic video content to a user's client device for viewing
according to a user's viewpoint. When there is a change in
viewpoint, the server provides another portion of the panoramic
view content to the user's client device according to the change in
viewpoint.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a communications network in accordance
with various aspects described herein.
[0006] FIGS. 2A-2B are block diagrams illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a system functioning within the
communication network of FIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects
described herein.
[0007] FIG. 2C depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in
accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication network in
accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a computing environment in accordance with various
aspects described herein.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a mobile network platform in accordance with various
aspects described herein.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a communication device in accordance with various
aspects described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The subject disclosure describes, among other things,
illustrative embodiments for obtaining a plurality of original
frames for video content, receiving a first viewpoint from a mobile
device, and processing the plurality of original frames according
to the first viewpoint generating a plurality of first viewpoint
frames. Further embodiments include providing the plurality of
first viewpoint frames to the mobile device, generating a group of
delta frames in response to receiving a change in viewpoint from
the mobile device, and providing the group of delta frames to the
mobile device. The mobile device processes a portion of the
plurality of first viewpoint frames according to the group of delta
frames to generate a group of second viewpoint frames and the
mobile device presents the group of second viewpoint frames. Other
embodiments are disclosed.
[0013] One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a
device. The device can comprise a processing system including a
processor and a memory that stores executable instructions that,
when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of
operations. The operations can comprise obtaining a plurality of
original frames for video content, receiving a first viewpoint from
a mobile device, and processing the plurality of original frames
according to the first viewpoint generating a plurality of first
viewpoint frames, and providing the plurality of first viewpoint
frames to the mobile device. Further operations can comprise
generating a group of delta frames in response to receiving a
change in viewpoint from the mobile device and providing the group
of delta frames to the mobile device. The mobile device processes a
portion of the plurality of first viewpoint frames according to the
group of delta frames to generate a group of second viewpoint
frames, and the mobile device presents the group of second
viewpoint frames.
[0014] One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a
machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that,
when executed by a processing system including a processor,
facilitate performance of operations. The operations can comprise
receiving a plurality of original frames for video content,
obtaining a request that include a first viewpoint from a mobile
device, and processing the plurality of original frames according
to the first viewpoint generating a plurality of first viewpoint
frames. Further operations can comprise streaming the plurality of
first viewpoint frames to the mobile device, and generating a group
of delta frames in response to detecting a change in viewpoint from
the mobile device. The group of delta frames include information
that indicate changes in the video content between a portion of the
plurality of first viewpoint frames and a group of second viewpoint
frames. Additional operations can comprise streaming the group of
delta frames to the mobile device. The mobile device processes a
portion of the plurality of first viewpoint frames according to the
group of delta frames to generate the group of second viewpoint
frames and the mobile device presents the group of second viewpoint
frames.
[0015] One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a
method. The method can comprise transmitting, by a processing
system including a processor, a first viewpoint to a server that
causes the server to process a plurality of original frames
according to the first viewpoint to generate a plurality of first
viewpoint frames. Video content comprises the plurality of original
frames. Further, the method can comprise receiving, by the
processing system, the plurality of first viewpoint frames from the
server. In addition, the method can comprise transmitting, by the
processing system, a change in viewpoint by a user to the server in
response to detecting the change in viewpoint. The server
reprocesses a portion of the plurality of original frames according
to the change in viewpoint to generate a group of delta frames. The
portion of the plurality of original frames correspond to a portion
of the plurality of first viewpoint frames not yet presented. Also,
the method can comprise receiving, by the processing system, the
group of delta frames. Further, the method can comprise processing,
by the processing system, the portion of the plurality of first
viewpoint frames according to the group of delta frames to generate
a group of second viewpoint frames. In addition, the method can
comprise presenting, by the processing system, the group of second
viewpoint frames.
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram is shown
illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a
communications network 100 in accordance with various aspects
described herein. Communications network 100 can include
communication network 204 as well as computing devices such as
video content server 202 and client devices 206-208. Further, the
video content server 202 can update streaming panoramic video
content due to a change in user viewpoint in viewing the panoramic
video content.
[0017] In particular, a communications network 125 is presented for
providing broadband access 110 to a plurality of data terminals 114
via access terminal 112, wireless access 120 to a plurality of
mobile devices 124 and vehicle 126 via base station or access point
122, voice access 130 to a plurality of telephony devices 134, via
switching device 132 and/or media access 140 to a plurality of
audio/video display devices 144 via media terminal 142. In
addition, communication network 125 is coupled to one or more
content sources 175 of audio, video, graphics, text and/or other
media. While broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice
access 130 and media access 140 are shown separately, one or more
of these forms of access can be combined to provide multiple access
services to a single client device (e.g., mobile devices 124 can
receive media content via media terminal 142, data terminal 114 can
be provided voice access via switching device 132, and so on).
[0018] The communications network 125 includes a plurality of
network elements (NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the
broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130, media
access 140 and/or the distribution of content from content sources
175. The communications network 125 can include a circuit switched
or packet switched network, a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP)
network, Internet protocol (IP) network, a cable network, a passive
or active optical network, a 4G, 5G, or higher generation wireless
access network, WIMAX network, UltraWideband network, personal area
network or other wireless access network, a broadcast satellite
network and/or other communications network.
[0019] In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include
a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem
termination system (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other
access terminal. The data terminals 114 can include personal
computers, laptop computers, netbook computers, tablets or other
computing devices along with digital subscriber line (DSL) modems,
data over coax service interface specification (DOCSIS) modems or
other cable modems, a wireless modem such as a 4G, 5G, or higher
generation modem, an optical modem and/or other access devices.
[0020] In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122
can include a 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access
point that operates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n,
802.11ac or other wireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124
can include mobile phones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless
modems, and/or other mobile computing devices.
[0021] In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include
a private branch exchange or central office switch, a media
services gateway, VoIP gateway or other gateway device and/or other
switching device. The telephony devices 134 can include traditional
telephones (with or without a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones
and/or other telephony devices.
[0022] In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a
cable head-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway
or other media terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include
televisions with or without a set top box, personal computers
and/or other display devices.
[0023] In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include
broadcast television and radio sources, video on demand platforms
and streaming video and audio services platforms, one or more
content data networks, data servers, web servers and other content
servers, and/or other sources of media.
[0024] In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can
include wired, optical and/or wireless links and the network
elements 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. can include service switching
points, signal transfer points, service control points, network
gateways, media distribution hubs, servers, firewalls, routers,
edge devices, switches and other network nodes for routing and
controlling communications traffic over wired, optical and wireless
links as part of the Internet and other public networks as well as
one or more private networks, for managing subscriber access, for
billing and network management and for supporting other network
functions.
[0025] FIGS. 2A-2B are block diagrams illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a system 200 functioning within the
communication network of FIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects
described herein. Referring to FIG. 2A, in one or more embodiments,
the system 200 can include a video content server 202, a
communication network 204, multiple client devices 206-208, that
are operated by corresponding users 210-212. The video content
server 202 can be provided with video content from another server.
For example, the video content server 202 can be an edge server
that can obtain the video content from a media content server
located in a core or cloud of a communication network. In some
embodiments, the video content server can be operated by a video
content provider such that video content provider personnel can
locally or remotely upload video content into the memory of the
video content server 202. In other embodiments, the video content
server 202 can receive video content from a social media server. In
further embodiments, the video content server 202 can receive video
content captured by a client device 206 and provide the video
content to another client device 208. In such embodiments, the
video content server 202 can provide the video content from client
device 206 to client device 208 in real-time or can store the video
content for a period of time and provide the video content in the
future. Also, in additional embodiments, the video content server
202 can obtain the video content from any media content source or
medium. In some embodiments, the video content can be panoramic
video content that can be 360 degree video content or less than 360
degree video content.
[0026] In one or more embodiments, the communication network 204
can be a wireless communication network, wired communication
network, or a combination of a wireless and wired communication
network. The client device 206-208 can be a smartphone, tablet
computer, smart watch, wearable device, mobile phone, mobile
device, laptop computer, desktop computer, set top box, media
processor, virtual reality headset, any combination thereof or any
other computing device.
[0027] In one or more embodiments, the video content server 202
obtains the video content from some media content source or medium
described herein. The video content comprises multiple original
frames. Further, the client device 206 can detect a first viewpoint
of the user in viewing the video content on its display. In some
embodiments, this can be by capturing an image of the user using a
camera and analyzing the captured user image using image
recognition techniques. In other embodiments, the client device 206
(e.g. virtual reality headset) can use a sensor detect the head
movement of the user to determine the user's viewpoint of the video
content. In further embodiments, the user can use gesture (e.g.
swipe) on a touchscreen of the client device 206 display to focus
on a portion of the video content that can be detected by the
client device 206 to determine the user's viewpoint. In addition,
the first viewpoint, by the client device 206, is provided to and
received by the video content server 202 over the communication
network 204. Also, the video content server 202 can process the
multiple original frames according to the first viewpoint
generating multiple first viewpoint frames. The processing includes
encoding the first viewpoint frames with video codec tools. The
multiple encoded first viewpoint frames can include encoded B
frames to further save bandwidth. Further, the video content server
202 provides the multiple encoded first viewpoint frames to the
client device 206. Moreover, the client device 206 can request
further frames of the video content from the video content server
202 at different time intervals (or at regular time intervals)
according to the predicted head movement of the user.
[0028] However, in some instances, the user may have a change in
viewpoint that deviates from the predicted head movements that
requires an "emergency" update by the video update to a portion of
the first viewpoint frames not yet viewed by the user at the client
device 206. In addition, the client device 206 can detect a change
in viewpoint by the user and provide the change in viewpoint to the
video content server 202 over the communication network 204. A
change in viewpoint can be characterized as a user viewing video
content at the first viewpoint and changing to a second viewpoint
(i.e. unpredictably). Also, the video content server 202 can
generate a group of delta frames in response in receiving the
change in viewpoint from the client device 206.
[0029] In one or more embodiments, the group of delta frames
include information that indicate the change in the video content
between the portion of the multiple first viewpoint frames not yet
viewed by the user on client device 206 and a group of second
viewpoint frames. That is, the portion of first viewpoint frames
correspond to a portion of the original frames. Further, the
portion original frames can be processed by the video content
server 202 to generate the group of second viewpoint frames
according to the change in viewpoint or according to the second
viewpoint. The group of second viewpoint frames are different than
the portion of the multiple first viewpoint frames not yet viewed,
although there are likely some similarities. The group of delta
frames indicate the differences between the portion of the multiple
first viewpoint frames not yet viewed by the user and the group of
second viewpoint frames. The group of delta frames are also encoded
but are not encoded as B frames so when they are decoded by the
client device 206, they do not depend on any other frames that may
not yet be received by the client device. It is more efficient in
terms of communication network 204 capacity to send the delta
frames by the video content server 202 than the group of second
viewpoint frames as the group of delta frames are likely smaller in
size and requires less communication network 204 capacity than the
group of second viewpoint frames.
[0030] In one or more embodiments, the video content server 202 can
provide the group of delta frames to the client device 206.
Further, the client device 206 can process the portion of the
multiple first viewpoint frames not yet seen according to the group
of delta frames to generate the group of second viewpoint frames
and present the group of second viewpoint frames to the user.
[0031] In one or more embodiments, the providing (or streaming) of
the multiple first viewpoint frames and the group of delta frames
by the video content server 202 can be through the use of a
streaming protocol such as real-time messaging protocol (RTMP),
real-time transport protocol (RTP), Web Real-Time Communications
protocol (WebRTC), or other streaming protocols. These streaming
protocols do not have a placeholder to store viewpoint information
for every video frame. In some embodiments, the video content
server 202 can modify the streaming protocol that can include
storing and transmitting viewpoint information for every video
frame (first viewpoint frames and delta frames), as well as
generating the group of delta frames according to the change in
viewpoint. The processing of the multiple original frames can be
from the first viewpoint and/or from predicted future viewpoints
due to prior detected user head movements.
[0032] In one or more embodiments, the generating the group of
delta frames can include reprocessing a portion of the multiple
original frames according to the change in viewpoint to generate a
group of second viewpoint frames, processing the group of second
viewpoint frames according to the portion of the multiple of first
viewpoint frame snot yet viewed by the user to generate the group
of delta frames. The portion of the multiple original frames
correspond to the portion of multiple first viewpoint frames not
yet viewed by the user. The delta frames are not encoded as B
frames so as they can be decoded by the client device 206 with
being dependent on other frames that may not yet be received by the
client device 206.
[0033] In one or more embodiment, the video content server 202 can
provide video content to multiple client device 206-208 at a same
time, with each client device having a different viewpoint and a
different change in viewpoint. The video content server 202
provides each client device with frames of the video content
corresponding to each viewpoint and each change in viewpoint,
described herein.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 2B, in one or more embodiments, system 220
shows that a video content server processes original frames
O.sub.1, O.sub.2, . . . , O.sub.n to generate first viewpoint
frames, F.sub.1, F.sub.2, . . . F.sub.n. However, when a change in
viewpoint is received, the video content server reprocesses a
portion of the original frames in which corresponding first
viewpoint frames have not yet been viewed by the user, O.sub.m,
O.sub.m+1, . . . , O.sub.n to generate a group of delta frames
D.sub.m, D.sub.m+1, . . . , D.sub.n.
[0035] In one or more embodiments, O.sub.1, O.sub.2, . . . ,
O.sub.n can denote the original video frames. A streaming server
processes the original 360 video frame O.sub.i based on a viewpoint
v.sub.x to generate frame F.sub.vx,i. Note that F.sub.vx,i can be
sub-frame that is cropped from O.sub.i, or a different projection
that is transformed or re-encoded from O.sub.i. F.sub.vx,i is
encoded as F'.sub.vx,i and sent to the client device. There is no
limitation on encoding for F.sub.vx,i. In some embodiments, the
encoded frames are sent to the client device, which should have a
buffer to pre-fetch certain number of frames to mitigate the
network latency impact. For example, even when the client device is
playing F.sub.vx,i, it should have frame F'.sub.vx,i+1, . . . ,
F'.sub.vx,i+T in the buffer. For instance, at this moment, the user
changes the viewpoint from v.sub.x to v.sub.y. The client device
should send a request <v.sub.y, j> to the streaming server. j
is the frame index that the client device will play when the server
update (includes the group of delta frames) arrives at the client
device, which should be i<j<i+T. This index number can be
calculated by the client device based on the current frame index
(i), the estimated (or previously calculated) latency, and the
video frame rate. In other embodiments, the client device can send
the current video frame index (i) to the streaming server and let
the streaming server calculate j. Upon receiving the request, the
streaming server can start to reprocess video frames O.sub.j,
O.sub.j+1, . . . O.sub.i+T, which are the frames that have been
sent to the client device but processed at the different viewpoint.
The streaming server should generate new frames F.sub.vy,j,
F.sub.vy,j+1, . . . F.sub.vy,i+T based on the change in viewpoint.
Then delta frames are calculated as D.sub.j=F.sub.vy,j-F.sub.vx,j.
and the streaming server sends all the encoded delta frames to the
client device. Once the mobile device receives the delta frames
D.sub.j, D.sub.j+1, . . . D.sub.i+T, it can use the existing frames
F.sub.vx,j, F.sub.vx,j+1, . . . F.sub.vx,i+T to generate the
correct frames F.sub.vy,j, F.sub.vy,j+1, . . . F.sub.vy,i+T that
are suitable for the current viewpoint v.sub.y.
[0036] One or more embodiments, take advantage of the low latency
control loop and improve the drawbacks of eliminating the usage of
video buffer. The modified streaming protocol and the system
implementation can be integrated with other video streaming
approaches. Moreover, the modified streaming protocol can also be
applied in other application scenarios, such as cloud gaming,
mobile VR remote rendering, etc.
[0037] FIG. 2C depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 250
in accordance with various aspects described herein. The method 250
can be implemented by a video content server as shown in FIG. 2A.
Further, the method 250 can include the video content server, at
252, obtaining a plurality of original frames for video content. In
addition, the method 250, can include the video content server, at
254, receiving a first viewpoint from a mobile device. Also, the
method 250 can include the video content server, at 256, processing
the plurality of original frames according to the first viewpoint
generating a plurality of first viewpoint frames. The processing
including encoding the multiple first viewpoint frames. The
multiple encoded first viewpoint frames include encoded B frames to
save bandwidth. Further, the method 250 can include the video
content server, at 258, providing the plurality of first viewpoint
frames to the mobile device. The providing the plurality of first
viewpoint frames comprising providing the plurality of first
viewpoint frames using a streaming protocol. The streaming protocol
comprises one of real-time messaging protocol (RTMP), real-time
transport protocol (RTP), WebRTC or other streaming protocols.
[0038] In addition, the method 250 can include the video content
server, at 260, modifying the streaming protocol. The modifying the
streaming protocol comprises storing and transmitting viewpoint
information for every video frame (first viewpoint frames and delta
frames). Also, the method 250 can include the video content server,
at 262, generating a group of delta frames in response to receiving
a change in viewpoint from the mobile device. The group of delta
frames include information that indicate changes in the video
content between the portion of the plurality of first viewpoint
frames and the group of second viewpoint frames. Generating of the
group of delta frames comprises reprocessing the portion of the
plurality of original frames according to the change in viewpoint.
The delta frames are not encoded as B frames so as they can be
decoded by the client device with being dependent on other frames
that may not yet be received by the client device. The portion of
the plurality of original frames correspond to a portion of the
plurality of first viewpoint frames not yet presented at the mobile
device.
[0039] Further, the method 250 can include the video content
server, at 264, providing the group of delta frames to the mobile
device. The mobile device processes a portion of the plurality of
first viewpoint frames to generate a group of second viewpoint
frames, and the mobile device presents the group of second
viewpoint frames. In addition, the providing the group of delta
frames comprises providing the group of delta frames using the
streaming protocol.
[0040] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the
respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks
in FIG. 2B, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed
subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some
blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not
all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods
described herein.
[0041] Note, portions of some embodiments described herein can be
combined with portions of other embodiments.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram 300 is shown
illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized
communication network in accordance with various aspects described
herein. In particular a virtualized communication network is
presented that can be used to implement some or all of the
subsystems and functions of communication network 100, the
subsystems and functions of system 200, system 220, and method 250
presented in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 2C. Further, the video content
server 202 can update streaming panoramic video content due to a
change in user viewpoint in viewing the panoramic video
content.
[0043] In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that
leverages cloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and
scalability via a transport layer 350, a virtualized network
function cloud 325 and/or one or more cloud computing environments
375. In various embodiments, this cloud networking architecture is
an open architecture that leverages application programming
interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity from services and operations;
supports more nimble business models; and rapidly and seamlessly
scales to meet evolving customer requirements including traffic
growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity of performance
and reliability expectations.
[0044] In contrast to traditional network elements--which are
typically integrated to perform a single function, the virtualized
communication network employs virtual network elements 330, 332,
334, etc. that perform some or all of the functions of network
elements 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. For example, the network
architecture can provide a substrate of networking capability,
often called Network Function Virtualization Infrastructure (NFVI)
or simply infrastructure that is capable of being directed with
software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocols to perform
a broad variety of network functions and services. This
infrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most
typical type of substrate being servers that support Network
Function Virtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding
capabilities based on generic computing resources, with specialized
network technologies brought to bear when general purpose
processors or general purpose integrated circuit devices offered by
merchants (referred to herein as merchant silicon) are not
appropriate. In this case, communication services can be
implemented as cloud-centric workloads.
[0045] As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in
FIG. 1), such as an edge router can be implemented via a virtual
network element 330 composed of NFV software modules, merchant
silicon, and associated controllers. The software can be written so
that increasing workload consumes incremental resources from a
common resource pool, and moreover so that it's elastic: so the
resources are only consumed when needed. In a similar fashion,
other network elements such as other routers, switches, edge
caches, and middle-boxes are instantiated from the common resource
pool. Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses
makes planning and growing infrastructure easier to manage.
[0046] In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber,
cable, wired and/or wireless transport elements, network elements
and interfaces to provide broadband access 110, wireless access
120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or access to content
sources 175 for distribution of content to any or all of the access
technologies. In particular, in some cases a network element needs
to be positioned at a specific place, and this allows for less
sharing of common infrastructure. Other times, the network elements
have specific physical layer adapters that cannot be abstracted or
virtualized, and might require special DSP code and analog
front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementation as
virtual network elements 330, 332 or 334. These network elements
can be included in transport layer 350.
[0047] The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with
the transport layer 350 to provide the virtual network elements
330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specific NFVs. In particular, the
virtualized network function cloud 325 leverages cloud operations,
applications, and architectures to support networking workloads.
The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334 can employ
network function software that provides either a one-for-one
mapping of traditional network element function or alternately some
combination of network functions designed for cloud computing. For
example, virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334 can include
route reflectors, domain name system (DNS) servers, and dynamic
host configuration protocol (DHCP) servers, system architecture
evolution (SAE) and/or mobility management entity (MME) gateways,
broadband network gateways, IP edge routers for IP-VPN, Ethernet
and other services, load balancers, distributers and other network
elements. Because these elements don't typically need to forward
large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributed across
a number of servers--each of which adds a portion of the
capability, and overall which creates an elastic function with
higher availability than its former monolithic version. These
virtual network elements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated
and managed using an orchestration approach similar to those used
in cloud compute services.
[0048] The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the
virtualized network function cloud 325 via APIs that expose
functional capabilities of the VNE 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide
the flexible and expanded capabilities to the virtualized network
function cloud 325. In particular, network workloads may have
applications distributed across the virtualized network function
cloud 325 and cloud computing environment 375 and in the commercial
cloud, or might simply orchestrate workloads supported entirely in
NFV infrastructure from these third party locations.
[0049] Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a block diagram
of a computing environment in accordance with various aspects
described herein. Such a computing environment can be used in video
content server 202 and client devices 206-208. Further, the video
content server 202 can update streaming panoramic video content due
to a change in user viewpoint in viewing the panoramic video
content.
[0050] In order to provide additional context for various
embodiments of the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the
following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general
description of a suitable computing environment 400 in which the
various embodiments of the subject disclosure can be implemented.
In particular, computing environment 400 can be used in the
implementation of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156, access
terminal 112, base station or access point 122, switching device
132, media terminal 142, and/or virtual network elements 330, 332,
334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented via
computer-executable instructions that can run on one or more
computers, and/or in combination with other program modules and/or
as a combination of hardware and software.
[0051] Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs,
components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or
implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled
in the art will appreciate that the inventive methods can be
practiced with other computer system configurations, comprising
single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers,
mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-held
computing devices, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer
electronics, and the like, each of which can be operatively coupled
to one or more associated devices.
[0052] As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more
processors as well as other application specific circuits such as
an application specific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit,
state machine, programmable gate array or other circuit that
processes input signals or data and that produces output signals or
data in response thereto. It should be noted that while any
functions and features described herein in association with the
operation of a processor could likewise be performed by a
processing circuit.
[0053] The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be
also practiced in distributed computing environments where certain
tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked
through a communications network. In a distributed computing
environment, program modules can be located in both local and
remote memory storage devices.
[0054] Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media,
which can comprise computer-readable storage media and/or
communications media, which two terms are used herein differently
from one another as follows. Computer-readable storage media can be
any available storage media that can be accessed by the computer
and comprises both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and
non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation,
computer-readable storage media can be implemented in connection
with any method or technology for storage of information such as
computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured data or
unstructured data.
[0055] Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not
limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM),
electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash
memory or other memory technology, compact disk read only memory
(CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk
storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage
or other magnetic storage devices or other tangible and/or
non-transitory media which can be used to store desired
information. In this regard, the terms "tangible" or
"non-transitory" herein as applied to storage, memory or
computer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude only
propagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not
relinquish rights to all standard storage, memory or
computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitory
signals per se.
[0056] Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or
more local or remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests,
queries or other data retrieval protocols, for a variety of
operations with respect to the information stored by the
medium.
[0057] Communications media typically embody computer-readable
instructions, data structures, program modules or other structured
or unstructured data in a data signal such as a modulated data
signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and
comprises any information delivery or transport media. The term
"modulated data signal" or signals refers to a signal that has one
or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as
to encode information in one or more signals. By way of example,
and not limitation, communication media comprise wired media, such
as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media
such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.
[0058] With reference again to FIG. 4, the example environment can
comprise a computer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing
unit 404, a system memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus
408 couples system components including, but not limited to, the
system memory 406 to the processing unit 404. The processing unit
404 can be any of various commercially available processors. Dual
microprocessors and other multiprocessor architectures can also be
employed as the processing unit 404.
[0059] The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus
structure that can further interconnect to a memory bus (with or
without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus
using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures.
The system memory 406 comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic
input/output system (BIOS) can be stored in a non-volatile memory
such as ROM, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM),
EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that help to
transfer information between elements within the computer 402, such
as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAM
such as static RAM for caching data.
[0060] The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk
drive (HDD) 414 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive
414 can also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis
(not shown), a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read
from or write to a removable diskette 418) and an optical disk
drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or, to read from or
write to other high capacity optical media such as the DVD). The
hard disk drive 414, magnetic disk drive 416 and optical disk drive
420 can be connected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive
interface 424, a magnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical
drive interface 428, respectively. The interface 424 for external
drive implementations comprises at least one or both of Universal
Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Other external drive
connection technologies are within contemplation of the embodiments
described herein.
[0061] The drives and their associated computer-readable storage
media provide nonvolatile storage of data, data structures,
computer-executable instructions, and so forth. For the computer
402, the drives and storage media accommodate the storage of any
data in a suitable digital format. Although the description of
computer-readable storage media above refers to a hard disk drive
(HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media
such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that other types of storage media which are readable by a
computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory
cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the example
operating environment, and further, that any such storage media can
contain computer-executable instructions for performing the methods
described herein.
[0062] A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and
RAM 412, comprising an operating system 430, one or more
application programs 432, other program modules 434 and program
data 436. All or portions of the operating system, applications,
modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM 412. The systems
and methods described herein can be implemented utilizing various
commercially available operating systems or combinations of
operating systems.
[0063] A user can enter commands and information into the computer
402 through one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a
keyboard 438 and a pointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other
input devices (not shown) can comprise a microphone, an infrared
(IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, touch
screen or the like. These and other input devices are often
connected to the processing unit 404 through an input device
interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408, but can be
connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE
1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,
an IR interface, etc.
[0064] A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also
connected to the system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video
adapter 446. It will also be appreciated that in alternative
embodiments, a monitor 444 can also be any display device (e.g.,
another computer having a display, a smart phone, a tablet
computer, etc.) for receiving display information associated with
computer 402 via any communication means, including via the
Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to the monitor 444,
a computer typically comprises other peripheral output devices (not
shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.
[0065] The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment
using logical connections via wired and/or wireless communications
to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448.
The remote computer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer,
a router, a personal computer, portable computer,
microprocessor-based entertainment appliance, a peer device or
other common network node, and typically comprises many or all of
the elements described relative to the computer 402, although, for
purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device 450 is
illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprise
wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452
and/or larger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such
LAN and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and
companies, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such
as intranets, all of which can connect to a global communications
network, e.g., the Internet.
[0066] When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402
can be connected to the local network 452 through a wired and/or
wireless communication network interface or adapter 456. The
adapter 456 can facilitate wired or wireless communication to the
LAN 452, which can also comprise a wireless AP disposed thereon for
communicating with the wireless adapter 456.
[0067] When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402
can comprise a modem 458 or can be connected to a communications
server on the WAN 454 or has other means for establishing
communications over the WAN 454, such as by way of the Internet.
The modem 458, which can be internal or external and a wired or
wireless device, can be connected to the system bus 408 via the
input device interface 442. In a networked environment, program
modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portions thereof,
can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It will be
appreciated that the network connections shown are example and
other means of establishing a communications link between the
computers can be used.
[0068] The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any
wireless devices or entities operatively disposed in wireless
communication, e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable
computer, portable data assistant, communications satellite, any
piece of equipment or location associated with a wirelessly
detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand, restroom), and
telephone. This can comprise Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and
BLUETOOTH.RTM. wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can
be a predefined structure as with a conventional network or simply
an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.
[0069] Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at
home, a bed in a hotel room or a conference room at work, without
wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in a
cell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send and
receive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a base
station. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11
(a, b, g, n, ac, ag etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast
wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect
computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks
(which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operate in
the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with
products that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can
provide real-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired
Ethernet networks used in many offices.
[0070] Turning now to FIG. 5, an embodiment 500 of a mobile network
platform 510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150,
152, 154, 156, and/or virtual network elements 330, 332, 334, etc.
Mobile network 510 can include communication network 204 as well as
computing devices such as video content server 202 and client
devices 206-208. Further, the video content server 202 can update
streaming panoramic video content due to a change in user viewpoint
in viewing the panoramic video content.
[0071] In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 510
can generate and receive signals transmitted and received by base
stations or access points such as base station or access point 122.
Generally, wireless network platform 510 can comprise components,
e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms,
that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol
(IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and
circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well as
control generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As a
non-limiting example, wireless network platform 510 can be included
in telecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered
carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile
network platform 510 comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which can
interface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephony
network(s) 540 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), or
public land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7)
network 570. Circuit switched gateway node(s) 512 can authorize and
authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks.
Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, or
roaming, data generated through SS7 network 570; for instance,
mobility data stored in a visited location register (VLR), which
can reside in memory 530. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 512
interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s)
518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gateway node(s) 512
can be realized at least in part in gateway GPRS support node(s)
(GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specific
operation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PS gateway node(s) 518, and
serving node(s) 516, is provided and dictated by radio
technology(ies) utilized by mobile network platform 510 for
telecommunication.
[0072] In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic
and signaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and
authenticate PS-based data sessions with served mobile devices.
Data sessions can comprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with
networks external to the wireless network platform 510, like wide
area network(s) (WANs) 550, enterprise network(s) 570, and service
network(s) 580, which can be embodied in local area network(s)
(LANs), can also be interfaced with mobile network platform 510
through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to be noted that WANs 550 and
enterprise network(s) 560 can embody, at least in part, a service
network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Based on radio
technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) 517,
packet-switched gateway node(s) 518 can generate packet data
protocol contexts when a data session is established; other data
structures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can be
generated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 can
comprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG)
in 3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate
packetized communication with disparate wireless network(s), such
as Wi-Fi networks.
[0073] In embodiment 500, wireless network platform 510 also
comprises serving node(s) 516 that, based upon available radio
technology layer(s) within technology resource(s) 517, convey the
various packetized flows of data streams received through PS
gateway node(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology
resource(s) that rely primarily on CS communication, server node(s)
can deliver traffic without reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for
example, server node(s) can embody at least in part a mobile
switching center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, serving
node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s)
(SGSN).
[0074] For radio technologies that exploit packetized
communication, server(s) 514 in wireless network platform 510 can
execute numerous applications that can generate multiple disparate
packetized data streams or flows, and manage (e.g., schedule,
queue, format . . . ) such flows. Such application(s) can comprise
add-on features to standard services (for example, provisioning,
billing, customer support . . . ) provided by wireless network
platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that are part of a
voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gateway node(s)
518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a data
session, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter.
In addition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise
utility server(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning
server, an operations and maintenance server, a security server
that can implement at least in part a certificate authority and
firewalls as well as other security mechanisms, and the like. In an
aspect, security server(s) secure communication served through
wireless network platform 510 to ensure network's operation and
data integrity in addition to authorization and authentication
procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512 and PS gateway node(s) 518
can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s) can provision services
from external network(s) like networks operated by a disparate
service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or Global Positioning
System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s) can
also provision coverage through networks associated to wireless
network platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same
service provider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown
in FIG. 1(s) that enhance wireless service coverage by providing
more network coverage.
[0075] It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or
more processors configured to confer at least in part the
functionality of macro wireless network platform 510. To that end,
the one or more processor can execute code instructions stored in
memory 530, for example. It is should be appreciated that server(s)
514 can comprise a content manager, which operates in substantially
the same manner as described hereinbefore.
[0076] In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information
related to operation of wireless network platform 510. Other
operational information can comprise provisioning information of
mobile devices served through wireless platform network 510,
subscriber databases; application intelligence, pricing schemes,
e.g., promotional rates, flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns;
technical specification(s) consistent with telecommunication
protocols for operation of disparate radio, or wireless, technology
layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also store information from at
least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, enterprise
network(s) 570, or SS7 network 560. In an aspect, memory 530 can
be, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as a
remotely connected memory store.
[0077] In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the
disclosed subject matter, FIG. 5, and the following discussion, are
intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable
environment in which the various aspects of the disclosed subject
matter can be implemented. While the subject matter has been
described above in the general context of computer-executable
instructions of a computer program that runs on a computer and/or
computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination
with other program modules. Generally, program modules comprise
routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform
particular tasks and/or implement particular abstract data
types.
[0078] Turning now to FIG. 6, an illustrative embodiment of a
communication device 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can
serve as an illustrative embodiment of devices such as data
terminals 114, mobile devices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144
or other client devices for communication via either communications
network 125 as well as video content server 202 and client device
206-208. Further, the video content server 202 can update streaming
panoramic video content due to a change in user viewpoint in
viewing the panoramic video content.
[0079] The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or
wireless transceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface
(UI) 604, a power supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion
sensor 618, an orientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for
managing operations thereof. The transceiver 602 can support
short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as
Bluetooth.RTM., ZigBee.RTM., WiFi, DECT, or cellular communication
technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth.RTM. and ZigBee.RTM.
are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth.RTM. Special Interest
Group and the ZigBee.RTM. Alliance, respectively). Cellular
technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA,
GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next
generation wireless communication technologies as they arise. The
transceiver 602 can also be adapted to support circuit-switched
wireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched
wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and
combinations thereof.
[0080] The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive
keypad 608 with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a
joystick, a mouse, or a navigation disk for manipulating operations
of the communication device 600. The keypad 608 can be an integral
part of a housing assembly of the communication device 600 or an
independent device operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline
interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface supporting
for example Bluetooth.RTM.. The keypad 608 can represent a numeric
keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTY keypad with
alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display 610
such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED
(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology
for conveying images to an end user of the communication device
600. In an embodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a
portion or all of the keypad 608 can be presented by way of the
display 610 with navigation features.
[0081] The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also
serve as a user interface for detecting user input. As a touch
screen display, the communication device 600 can be adapted to
present a user interface having graphical user interface (GUI)
elements that can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger.
The touch screen display 610 can be equipped with capacitive,
resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect how much
surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of the
touch screen display. This sensing information can be used to
control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of
the user interface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the
housing assembly of the communication device 600 or an independent
device communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline
interface (such as a cable) or a wireless interface.
[0082] The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that
utilizes audio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as
audio heard in proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio
(such as speakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system
612 can further include a microphone for receiving audible signals
of an end user. The audio system 612 can also be used for voice
recognition applications. The UI 604 can further include an image
sensor 613 such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for
capturing still or moving images.
[0083] The power supply 614 can utilize common power management
technologies such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply
regulation technologies, and/or charging system technologies for
supplying energy to the components of the communication device 600
to facilitate long-range or short-range portable communications.
Alternatively, or in combination, the charging system can utilize
external power sources such as DC power supplied over a physical
interface such as a USB port or other suitable tethering
technologies.
[0084] The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology
such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of
assisted GPS for identifying a location of the communication device
600 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS
satellites, which can be used for facilitating location services
such as navigation. The motion sensor 618 can utilize motion
sensing technology such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other
suitable motion sensing technology to detect motion of the
communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. The
orientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology
such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the
communication device 600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as
combined orientations in degrees, minutes, or other suitable
orientation metrics).
[0085] The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to
also determine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth.RTM., or
other wireless access points by sensing techniques such as
utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal
time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements. The
controller 606 can utilize computing technologies such as a
microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gate
arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a video
processor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM,
SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executing computer
instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by the
aforementioned components of the communication device 600.
[0086] Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or
more embodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the
communication device 600 can include a slot for adding or removing
an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card
or Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can
be used for identifying subscriber services, executing programs,
storing subscriber data, and so on.
[0087] The terms "first," "second," "third," and so forth, as used
in the claims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity
only and doesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For
instance, "a first determination," "a second determination," and "a
third determination," does not indicate or imply that the first
determination is to be made before the second determination, or
vice versa, etc.
[0088] In the subject specification, terms such as "store,"
"storage," "data store," data storage," "database," and
substantially any other information storage component relevant to
operation and functionality of a component, refer to "memory
components," or entities embodied in a "memory" or components
comprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the memory
components described herein can be either volatile memory or
nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile and nonvolatile
memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatile
memory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage.
Further, nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory
(ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM
(EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory.
Volatile memory can comprise random access memory (RAM), which acts
as external cache memory. By way of illustration and not
limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM
(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data
rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM
(SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the
disclosed memory components of systems or methods herein are
intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising, these
and any other suitable types of memory.
[0089] Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter
can be practiced with other computer system configurations,
comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems,
mini-computing devices, mainframe computers, as well as personal
computers, hand-held computing devices (e.g., PDA, phone,
smartphone, watch, tablet computers, netbook computers, etc.),
microprocessor-based or programmable consumer or industrial
electronics, and the like. The illustrated aspects can also be
practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are
performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a
communications network; however, some if not all aspects of the
subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alone computers. In a
distributed computing environment, program modules can be located
in both local and remote memory storage devices.
[0090] Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ
artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more
features described herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection
with automatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a
maximum value/benefit after addition to an existing communication
network) can employ various AI-based schemes for carrying out
various embodiments thereof. Moreover, the classifier can be
employed to determine a ranking or priority of each cell site of
the acquired network. A classifier is a function that maps an input
attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . , xn), to a confidence
that the input belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence
(class). Such classification can employ a probabilistic and/or
statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis
utilities and costs) to prognose or infer an action that a user
desires to be automatically performed. A support vector machine
(SVM) is an example of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM
operates by finding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs,
which the hypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria
from the non-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the
classification correct for testing data that is near, but not
identical to training data. Other directed and undirected model
classification approaches comprise, e.g., naive Bayes, Bayesian
networks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and
probabilistic classification models providing different patterns of
independence can be employed. Classification as used herein also is
inclusive of statistical regression that is utilized to develop
models of priority.
[0091] As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the
embodiments can employ classifiers that are explicitly trained
(e.g., via a generic training data) as well as implicitly trained
(e.g., via observing UE behavior, operator preferences, historical
information, receiving extrinsic information). For example, SVMs
can be configured via a learning or training phase within a
classifier constructor and feature selection module. Thus, the
classifier(s) can be used to automatically learn and perform a
number of functions, including but not limited to determining
according to predetermined criteria which of the acquired cell
sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which of
the acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existing
communication network coverage, etc.
[0092] As used in some contexts in this application, in some
embodiments, the terms "component," "system" and the like are
intended to refer to, or comprise, a computer-related entity or an
entity related to an operational apparatus with one or more
specific functionalities, wherein the entity can be either
hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or
software in execution. As an example, a component may be, but is
not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a
processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,
computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By
way of illustration and not limitation, both an application running
on a server and the server can be a component. One or more
components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution
and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed
between two or more computers. In addition, these components can
execute from various computer readable media having various data
structures stored thereon. The components may communicate via local
and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having
one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting
with another component in a local system, distributed system,
and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systems via
the signal). As another example, a component can be an apparatus
with specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated
by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by a
software or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein
the processor can be internal or external to the apparatus and
executes at least a part of the software or firmware application.
As yet another example, a component can be an apparatus that
provides specific functionality through electronic components
without mechanical parts, the electronic components can comprise a
processor therein to execute software or firmware that confers at
least in part the functionality of the electronic components. While
various components have been illustrated as separate components, it
will be appreciated that multiple components can be implemented as
a single component, or a single component can be implemented as
multiple components, without departing from example
embodiments.
[0093] Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a
method, apparatus or article of manufacture using standard
programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software,
firmware, hardware or any combination thereof to control a computer
to implement the disclosed subject matter. The term "article of
manufacture" as used herein is intended to encompass a computer
program accessible from any computer-readable device or
computer-readable storage/communications media. For example,
computer readable storage media can include, but are not limited
to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,
magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital
versatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,
card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art will
recognize many modifications can be made to this configuration
without departing from the scope or spirit of the various
embodiments.
[0094] In addition, the words "example" and "exemplary" are used
herein to mean serving as an instance or illustration. Any
embodiment or design described herein as "example" or "exemplary"
is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous
over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word example
or exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion.
As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an
inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless
specified otherwise or clear from context, "X employs A or B" is
intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That
is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then "X
employs A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances.
In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application
and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean "one
or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be
directed to a singular form.
[0095] Moreover, terms such as "user equipment," "mobile station,"
"mobile," subscriber station," "access terminal," "terminal,"
"handset," "mobile device" (and/or terms representing similar
terminology) can refer to a wireless device utilized by a
subscriber or user of a wireless communication service to receive
or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming or
substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing
terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with reference to the
related drawings.
[0096] Furthermore, the terms "user," "subscriber," "customer,"
"consumer" and the like are employed interchangeably throughout,
unless context warrants particular distinctions among the terms. It
should be appreciated that such terms can refer to human entities
or automated components supported through artificial intelligence
(e.g., a capacity to make inference based, at least, on complex
mathematical formalisms), which can provide simulated vision, sound
recognition and so forth.
[0097] As employed herein, the term "processor" can refer to
substantially any computing processing unit or device comprising,
but not limited to comprising, single-core processors;
single-processors with software multithread execution capability;
multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software
multithread execution capability; multi-core processors with
hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; and parallel
platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, a processor
can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a
field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic
controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a
discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components or
any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described
herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures such as,
but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors,
switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhance
performance of user equipment. A processor can also be implemented
as a combination of computing processing units.
[0098] As used herein, terms such as "data storage," data storage,"
"database," and substantially any other information storage
component relevant to operation and functionality of a component,
refer to "memory components," or entities embodied in a "memory" or
components comprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the
memory components or computer-readable storage media, described
herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory or can
include both volatile and nonvolatile memory.
[0099] What has been described above includes mere examples of
various embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe
every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for
purposes of describing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in
the art can recognize that many further combinations and
permutations of the present embodiments are possible. Accordingly,
the embodiments disclosed and/or claimed herein are intended to
embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that
fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Furthermore, to the extent that the term "includes" is used in
either the detailed description or the claims, such term is
intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term
"comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted when employed as a
transitional word in a claim.
[0100] In addition, a flow diagram may include a "start" and/or
"continue" indication. The "start" and "continue" indications
reflect that the steps presented can optionally be incorporated in
or otherwise used in conjunction with other routines. In this
context, "start" indicates the beginning of the first step
presented and may be preceded by other activities not specifically
shown. Further, the "continue" indication reflects that the steps
presented may be performed multiple times and/or may be succeeded
by other activities not specifically shown. Further, while a flow
diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, other orderings
are likewise possible provided that the principles of causality are
maintained.
[0101] As may also be used herein, the term(s) "operably coupled
to", "coupled to", and/or "coupling" includes direct coupling
between items and/or indirect coupling between items via one or
more intervening items. Such items and intervening items include,
but are not limited to, junctions, communication paths, components,
circuit elements, circuits, functional blocks, and/or devices. As
an example of indirect coupling, a signal conveyed from a first
item to a second item may be modified by one or more intervening
items by modifying the form, nature or format of information in a
signal, while one or more elements of the information in the signal
are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can be recognized by the
second item. In a further example of indirect coupling, an action
in a first item can cause a reaction on the second item, as a
result of actions and/or reactions in one or more intervening
items.
[0102] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement
which achieves the same or similar purpose may be substituted for
the embodiments described or shown by the subject disclosure. The
subject disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or
variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above
embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described
herein, can be used in the subject disclosure. For instance, one or
more features from one or more embodiments can be combined with one
or more features of one or more other embodiments. In one or more
embodiments, features that are positively recited can also be
negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or without
replacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The
steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the
subject disclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or
functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subject
disclosure can be performed alone or in combination with other
steps or functions of the subject disclosure, as well as from other
embodiments or from other steps that have not been described in the
subject disclosure. Further, more than or less than all of the
features described with respect to an embodiment can also be
utilized.
* * * * *