Real-time web communication transmission profile adaptation

0001The invention relates to the adaptation of a transmission profile of a real-time Web communication of a real-time Web communication interface of a browser, in particular the adaptation of a bit rate such as the video bit rate of the real-time web communication.

0002Real-time Web communications are notably defined today in the form of an interface (also called AP1 for application programming interface in English) WebRTC (Web Real Time communication in English) by the W3C (World Wide Web consortium). They provide support for video calling, video chat, and cross-browser file sharing applications without the need for additional software components, such as a plug-in.

0003Currently :<ul id="ul0001" list-style="bullet"><li>Either the video bit rate is set by the real-time web interface by default.</li><li>Either the video resolution can be changed by the user.</li><li>Either the video resolution is defined at the level of the application using the real-time Web communication interface. For example, if the user of a terminal having a real-time Web interface wishes to set up a video call. It is the activated video call device that changes the resolution of the real-time web communication interface before establishing the call.</li></ul>

0004Thus, the WebRTC communication is established by applying constraints only according to the application.

0005Consequently, depending on the transmission channel at the time of the communication, the service provided by the application may be noisy by transmission errors or of lower quality.

0006One of the aims of the present invention is to remedy shortcomings of the state of the art.

0007An object of the invention is a method for adapting a real-time Web communication transmission profile of a real-time Web communication interface of a browser comprising a modification of a browser parameter of the transmission profile of a real-time web communication interface of a browser based on data relating to the bandwidth recovered during a time period of a real-time web communication.

0008Thus, the transmission profile adapts to the bandwidth of the current real-time Web communication, allowing the user to benefit from the best quality when the bandwidth allows it, and conversely to limit transmission errors when the bandwidth does not allow high throughput.

0009Advantageously, the adaptation method comprises a recovery of the data relating to the bandwidth during a period of time of a real-time Web communication, the recovered data being used by the modification of the transmission profile parameter.

0010Thus, the adaptation does not have to request these data from an external data collector reducing the exchange interfaces.

0011In addition, limiting the data recovery to a time frame reduces the transmission profile modification calculations based on this recovered data because the number of recovered data is less. And, the recovery of several data used to determine the modification of the transmission profile makes it possible to have a modification which is suitable for a little more than a simple instant of transmission.

0012Advantageously, the recovery of the data is triggered by a request to establish a real-time Web communication.

0013Thus, the data recovery is performed at the start of a communication limiting the interference between the recovery and the major part of the communication. In addition, start-of-communication recovery enables rapid profile adaptation at the start of communication, providing the user with better quality, real-time web communication as quickly as possible.

0014Advantageously, the adaptation method triggers a closure of the real-time Web communication in progress as soon as the recovery of the data is finished, and an establishment of a new real-time Web communication triggered by the modification of the transmission profile parameter according to recovered data provided by recovery.

0015Thus, the recovery of data is carried out at the start of a communication is dissociated from the communication. In addition, start-of-communication recovery allows real-time web communication requested by the user to start with an already matched profile.

0016Advantageously, the adaptation method comprises a determination of a transmission profile according to a statistical analysis of the data retrieved, the transmission profile thus determined is used by modifying the transmission profile browser parameter of the interface of Browser real-time web communication.

0017Advantageously, the adaptation method comprises a determination of a transmission profile according to a statistical analysis of the data retrieved, the transmission profile thus determined is used by modifying the transmission profile parameter of the communication device.

0018Thus, real-time Web communication will not suffer from slight fluctuations in the transmission channel. the profile since it was taken into account in the development of the adaptation of the transmission profile by means of the statistical analysis.

0019Advantageously, the transmission profile is determined according to rules associating a predefined transmission profile with an interval of passband values.

0020Thus, the adaptation is carried out in a simplified manner.

0021Advantageously, the transmission profile comprises at least one of the transmission parameters from the following list:<ul id="ul0002" list-style="bullet" compact="compact"><li>video bitrate,</li><li>video resolution,</li><li>audio bitrate,</li><li>audio resolution.</li></ul>

0022Thus, the video bit rate and/or the video resolution and/or the audio bit rate and/or the audio resolution of the real-time Web communication are adapted relative to the bandwidth.

0023Advantageously, the adaptation method comprises a statistical analysis of the data retrieved prior to the modification of the transmission profile.

0024Thus, the adaptation performs the statistical analysis itself and does not have to request this analysis from an external analyzer reducing the exchange interfaces.

0025Advantageously, the statistical analysis provides, as a function of the data retrieved, a passband averaged over the predetermined period of time.

0026Thus, the statistical analysis implements light calculation means.

0027Advantageously, the adaptation method is a rate adaptation method.

0028Advantageously, according to an implementation of the invention, the various steps of the method according to the invention are implemented by computer software or program, this software comprising software instructions intended to be executed by a data processor of a adapter forming part of a real-time Web communication device and being designed to control the execution of the various steps of this method.

0029The invention therefore also relates to a program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the method for adapting the transmission profile when said program is executed by a processor.

0030This program can use any programming language and be in the form of source code, object code or intermediate code between source code and object code such as in a partially compiled form or in any other desirable form.

0031An object of the invention is also a device for adapting a real-time Web communication transmission profile of a real-time Web communication interface of a browser comprising a module for modifying a browser parameter of transmission of a real-time web communication interface of a browser based on data relating to the bandwidth recovered during a time period of a real-time web communication.

0032Another object of the invention is a real-time Web communication device of a browser comprising a real-time Web communication transmission profile adapter of a real-time Web communication interface of a browser modifying a profile browser parameter transmission of a real-time Web communication interface of a browser based on data relating to the bandwidth recovered during a time period of a real-time Web communication.

0033The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description, given by way of example, and the figures relating thereto which represent:<ul id="ul0003" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>, a simplified diagram of a rate adaptation method according to the invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 2</figref>, a simplified table of profile adaptation rules according to the invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 3</figref>, a simplified diagram of a real-time Web communication device according to the invention.</li></ul>

0034In the following description:<ul id="ul0004" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>the real-time Web communication transmission profile of a real-time Web communication interface of a browser is also called, in a simplified manner, real-time Web communication transmission profile; And</li><li>the transmission profile browser parameter of a real-time Web communication interface of a browser is also called real-time Web transmission profile browser parameter, or even real-time Web transmission profile parameter of a browser.</li></ul>

0035There<figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref> illustrates a simplified diagram of a rate adaptation method according to the invention.

0036The adaptation method PA of a real-time Web communication transmission profile comprises a modification PF_MDF of a transmission profile parameter of a real-time Web communication device according to data<i>d</i>_/<i>BP</i> relating to the bandwidth recovered during a predetermined period of time T of a real-time Web communication SS_COM.

0037The communication device implementing, in particular, a real-time Web communication method PC comprising at least one establishment of a real-time Web communication session SS_COM on communication request<i>req_com</i> of a user by means of an interface of the communication device.

0038For example, the profile parameter of the real-time web communicator changes from a value<i>p</i> to, in particular, a value<i>p'</i> provided by the PF_MDF modification or to a value depending on<i>p</i> and value<i>p</i>'provided by modification PF_MDF..

0039In particular, the adaptation method PA comprises an RCP(T) recovery of the data<i>d</i>_/<i>BP</i> relating to the bandwidth recovered during a predetermined period of time T of a real-time Web communication SS_COM, the data recovered<i>{d_r(t₀)...d_r(t₀+T)}</i>_/<i>BP</i> being used by the PF_MDF modification of the transmission profile parameter.

0040The data retrieved are in particular statistics supplied by the browser implementing the real-time PC Web communication method. For example, RCPT(T) retrieval triggers the browser to send BitsSent with a Timestamp equal to the predetermined time span T. The bitsSent allow in return to recover data relating to the bandwidth.

0041In particular, the RCT(T) retrieval of data is triggered by a request<i>req_com</i> establishing a real-time Web communication.

0042In particular, the adaptation method PA triggers a closure<i>stp_com</i> of the real-time Web communication in progress as soon as the recovery of the data is completed RCPT(T), and an establishment of a new real-time Web communication<i>req_com+</i> triggered by the PF_MDF modification of the transmission profile parameter based on the recovered data provided by the recovery.

0043In particular, the adaptation method PA comprises a determination of a transmission profile PF_DT as a function of a statistical analysis ANLZ of the data retrieved, the transmission profile<i>pf_tr</i> thus determined is used by the PF_MDF modification of the transmission profile parameter of the communication device.

0044In particular, the determination of the transmission profile PF_DT is carried out according to rules rg associating with an interval of bandwidth values ​​BP a predefined transmission profile PF, such as the rules for adapting a profile associating a profile PF with bandwidth BP illustrated by the<figref idref="f0002">picture 2</figref>.

0045In particular, the transmission profile pf_tr includes at least one of the transmission parameters from the following list:<ul id="ul0005" list-style="bullet" compact="compact"><li>DBV video bit rate,</li><li>RSV video resolution,</li><li>DBA audio rate,</li><li>RSA audio resolution.</li></ul>

0046In particular, the PA adaptation method includes an ANLZ statistical analysis of the retrieved data<i>{d_r(t₀)...d_r(t₀+T)}</i>_/<i>BP</i> prior to the PF_MDF modification of the transmission profile.

0047In particular, the ANLZ statistical analysis provides depending on the data retrieved<i>{d_r(t₀)...d_r(t₀+T)}</i>_/<i>BP</i> bandwidth averaged over time T.

0048In particular, the adaptation method PA is a rate adaptation method.

0049Thus, according to the average video bit rate in use and according to the data retrieved, a profile is determined which makes it possible in particular to modify the video resolution. The video bit rate is adapted by modifying, for example, the communication session description protocol (SDP, Session Protocol Description in English) either for a communication in progress or prior to a new communication.

0050A particular embodiment of the adaptation method is a program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the transmission profile adaptation method when said program is executed by a processor.

0051In particular, a particular embodiment of the adaptation method is a program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the real-time Web communication method and of the method for adapting the transmission profile when said program is executed by a processor.

0052Thus, the invention makes it possible to modify or establish real-time Web communication by applying constraints relating to the available bandwidth.

0053There<figref idref="f0002">picture 2</figref> illustrates a simplified table of profile adaptation rules according to the invention.

0054For a determined value of a bandwidth BP of a communication in progress, the adaptation rules provide for an adaptation of the video profile into a predefined video profile PFV comprising a predefined video resolution RSV, a predefined video ratio RTV and a video bit rate DBV preset.

0055In our example, when the retrieved data determines that the bandwidth is:<ul id="ul0006" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>greater than a value of 1500 kb/sec, the adaptation rules make it possible to determine an HD (high definition) type PFV video transmission profile. This PFV video transmission profile provides:<ul id="ul0007" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>∘ an RSV video resolution defined by a maximum width RSVmax of 1280, a maximum height RSHmax of 720, a minimum width RSVmin of 960, a minimum height RSHmin of 720;</li><li>∘ a video ratio of 16:9;</li><li>∘ a modification of the video bitrate by adding a maximum additional video bitrate of 3000 (for example: 'a=mid:video\r\nb=AS:3000\r\n' in WebRTC);</li></ul></li><li>in an interval of value between 1000 kb/sec (excluded) and 1500 kb/sec (inclusive), the adaptation rules make it possible to determine a PFV video transmission profile of SD+ type (higher standard definition). This PFV video transmission profile provides:<ul id="ul0008" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>∘ an RSV video resolution defined by a maximum width RSVmax of 640, a maximum height RSHmax of 480, a minimum width RSVmin of 640, a minimum height RSHmin of 360;</li><li>∘ a video ratio of 16:9;</li><li>∘ a modification of the video bitrate by adding a maximum additional video bitrate of 1000 (for example: 'a=mid:video\r\nb=AS:1000\r\n' in WebRTC); And</li></ul></li><li>less than or equal to 1000 kb/sec, the adaptation rules make it possible to determine a PFV video transmission profile of SD- type (lower standard definition). This PFV video transmission profile provides:<ul id="ul0009" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>∘ an RSV video resolution defined by a maximum width RSVmax of 320, a maximum height RSHmax of 240, a minimum width RSVmin of 320, a minimum height RSHmin of 180;</li><li>∘ a video ratio of 16:9;</li><li>∘ a modification of the video bitrate by adding a maximum additional video bitrate of 500 (for example: 'a=mid:video\r\nb=AS:500\r\n' in WebRTC).</li></ul></li></ul>

0056These profiles have been defined for the use of WebRTC when broadcasting television, in particular television on demand, or games available in the cloud (Cloud gaming in English). Other profiles can be added depending on the services using real-time web communication.

0057There<figref idref="f0002">picture 3</figref> illustrates a simplified diagram of a real-time Web communication device according to the invention.

0058The device 11 for adapting a real-time Web communication transmission profile, also called an adapter of a real-time Web communication transmission profile, comprises a module 113 for modifying a transmission profile parameter of a real-time web communication device 1 based on data<i>d</i>_/<i>BP</i> relating to the bandwidth recovered during a period of time T of a real-time Web communication.

0059In particular, the adaptation device 11 comprises a recoverer 110 of the data<i>d</i>_/<i>BP</i> relating to the bandwidth recovered during a predetermined period of time T of a real-time Web communication SS_COM, the data recovered<i>{d_r(t₀)...d_r(t₀+T)}</i>_/<i>BP</i> being used by the modification module 113 of the transmission profile parameter.

0060In particular, the triggering of the data retriever 110 is controlled by a request<i>req_com</i> establishing a real-time Web communication.

0061In particular, the adaptation device 11 triggers a closure<i>stp_com</i> of the real-time Web communication in progress as soon as the recovery of the data is completed RCPT(T), and an establishment of a new real-time Web communication<i>req_com+</i> triggered by the modification module 113 of the transmission profile parameter according to the recovered data provided by the recovery.

0062In particular, the adaptation device 11 comprises a module 112 for determining a transmission profile based on a statistical analysis of the data retrieved, the transmission profile<i>pf_tr</i> thus determined is used by the modification module 113 of the transmission profile parameter of the communication device.

0063In particular, the determination module 112 of the transmission profile performs the determination according to rules rg associating with an interval of bandwidth values ​​BP a predefined transmission profile PF, such as the rules for adapting a profile associating a profile PF at a bandwidth BP illustrated by the<figref idref="f0002">picture 2</figref>.

0064In particular, the transmission profile pf_tr includes at least one of the transmission parameters from the following list:<ul id="ul0010" list-style="bullet" compact="compact"><li>DBV video bit rate,</li><li>RSV video resolution,</li><li>DBA audio rate,</li><li>RSA audio resolution.</li></ul>

0065In particular, the adaptation device 11 comprises a statistical analyzer 111 of the data retrieved<i>{d_r(t₀)...d_r(t₀+T)}</i>_/<i>BP</i> placed before the modification module 113 of the transmission profile.

0066In particular, the statistical analyzer 111 provides, depending on the data retrieved<i>{d_r(t₀)...d_r(t₀+T)}</i>_/<i>BP</i> bandwidth averaged over time T.

0067In particular, the adaptation device PA is a rate adaptation device.

0068In particular, a real-time Web communication device 1 comprises a real-time Web communication transmission profile adapter 11 modifying a transmission profile parameter of the real-time Web communication device 1 according to data<i>d</i>_/<i>BP</i> relating to the bandwidth recovered during a period of time T of a real-time Web communication.

0069For example, the profile parameter of the real-time web communicator changes from a value<i>p</i> to, in particular, a value<i>p'</i> provided by the PF_MDF modification or to a value depending on<i>p</i> and value<i>p</i>' provided by modification PF_MDF..

0070The communication device 1 implements, in particular, a real-time Web communication method PC comprising at least one establishment of a real-time Web communication session SS_COM on communication request<i>req_com</i> of a user by means of an interface of the communication device. In particular, the communication device 1 further comprises a real-time Web transmitter 10, such as a WebRTC interface of a browser implemented by the communication device. Thus, the modified transmission profile parameter is that of the real-time web transmitter 10.

0071The communication device 1 is a communication terminal such as a Smartphone, a tablet, a phablet, a computer, etc.

0072The invention also relates to a support. The information carrier can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may include a storage medium, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM or else a magnetic recording medium, for example a floppy disk or a hard disk.

0073On the other hand, the information medium can be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal which can be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by radio or by other means. The program according to the invention can in particular be downloaded onto a network, in particular of the Internet type.

0074Alternatively, the information carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the method in question.

0075In another implementation, the invention is implemented by means of software and/or hardware components. From this perspective, the term module can correspond either to a software component or to a hardware component. A software component corresponds to one or more computer programs, one or more sub-programs of a program, or more generally to any element of a program or software capable of implementing a function or a function set as described below. A hardware component corresponds to any element of a hardware assembly capable of implementing a function or a set of functions.