HTTP ABR Video Relay Sliding Window for Edge Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video streaming systems over HTTP require additional video encoders to handle increased requests, leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies, especially in cache gateways with limited bandwidth or processing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an HTTP Adaptive Bit Rate (ABR) video encoding device that encodes video streams into multiple bit-rate files, a publishing point relay that maintains a sliding window of files and dynamically updates edge publishing points, and edge publishing points that store and respond to HTTP requests, allowing for efficient distribution without the need for additional encoders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If additional cache gateways are added to handle increased HTTP requests, then the system can service more requests, but additional encoders are required which increases system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates multiple publish points that replicate the video content distribution function. Instead of adding encoders, the system publishes the same encoded video content to multiple publish points that can independently serve requests, effectively copying the distribution capability without requiring additional encoding resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The publish point acts as an intermediary between the encoder and cache gateways. It receives content from the encoder and distributes it to multiple cache gateways, decoupling the encoding function from the distribution function and allowing cache gateways to be added without requiring additional encoders.
2Device complexity
If a single cache gateway is used, then system complexity is low, but it becomes a bottleneck when request volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the content distribution function across multiple publish points and cache gateways. Instead of having a single gateway handle all requests, the system divides the distribution task among multiple independent publish points, each capable of serving requests independently, thereby increasing overall capacity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional structure to the content delivery network by adding publish points as an intermediate layer between encoders and cache gateways. This dimensional expansion allows the system to scale horizontally across multiple publish points and gateways rather than vertically through additional encoders.
3Loss of time
If video content is distributed to multiple locations, then request latency is reduced, but the system requires more publishing points which increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses publish points to pre-distribute video content to multiple cache gateways before requests arrive. This preliminary distribution action ensures that content is already cached at edge locations, reducing request latency when users access the content without requiring complex real-time routing decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
Each publish point independently manages its own content distribution to cache gateways without requiring coordination with other publish points or encoders. This self-service capability simplifies the overall system control while enabling parallel content distribution to multiple locations simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and apparatus of distributing a video stream is provided. At a publishing point relay, a plurality of video files encoded from a portion of the video stream from a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) Adaptive Bit Rate (ABR) video encoding device are received. Each of the encoded video files having a different bit-rate, the encoded video files received using a protocol for transferring files. Edge publishing point servers are determined that are registered with the publishing point relay to distribute the audio/video stream. Each of the encoded video files received by the publishing point relay are relayed to each of the determined edge publishing points as each video file is received from the HTTP ABR video encoding device.