Ad Break Stream Packaging Across Multiple Streaming Protocols

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing streaming technologies face inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for multiple encodings to accommodate different streaming protocols' constraints for inserting secondary content, particularly in live streaming, which can disrupt user experience.

Innovation Solution

A single encoding of content is configured to generate output groups that satisfy the constraints of multiple streaming technologies by using markers for ad insertion opportunities, allowing for both fixed and variable segment durations, and employing a leaky bucket model for GOP partitioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple encodings are performed to accommodate different streaming protocols' constraints for inserting secondary content, then compatibility with various streaming technologies is improved, but processing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with streaming protocolsVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the encoded content into multiple output groups, where each output group is configured to satisfy the specific constraints of different streaming technologies. This segmentation allows a single encoding to serve multiple protocols by organizing the content into protocol-specific groups with appropriate segment durations and ad insertion markers, eliminating the need for separate encodings for each protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal encoding structure that can serve multiple streaming protocols simultaneously. By configuring output groups with flexible segment durations and ad insertion markers that can accommodate both fixed-duration requirements (e.g., Microsoft Smooth Streaming) and variable-duration requirements (e.g., HLS, DASH), a single encoding becomes multi-functional and compatible with various streaming technologies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple encodings are performed to accommodate different streaming protocols' constraints for inserting secondary content, then compatibility with various streaming technologies is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with streaming protocolsVSAvoidencoding cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the encoded content into multiple output groups, where each output group is configured to satisfy the specific constraints of different streaming technologies. This segmentation allows a single encoding to serve multiple protocols by organizing the content into protocol-specific groups with appropriate segment durations and ad insertion markers, eliminating the need for separate encodings for each protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal encoding structure that can serve multiple streaming protocols simultaneously. By configuring output groups with flexible segment durations and ad insertion markers that can accommodate both fixed-duration requirements (e.g., Microsoft Smooth Streaming) and variable-duration requirements (e.g., HLS, DASH), a single encoding becomes multi-functional and compatible with various streaming technologies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If ad insertion markers are placed at points not corresponding to segment boundaries, then ad insertion flexibility is improved, but segment duration consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvead insertion flexibilityVSAvoidsegment duration consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the encoded content into multiple output groups, where each output group is configured to satisfy the specific constraints of different streaming technologies. This segmentation allows a single encoding to serve multiple protocols by organizing the content into protocol-specific groups with appropriate segment durations and ad insertion markers, eliminating the need for separate encodings for each protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different segment duration characteristics to different output groups based on the requirements of specific streaming protocols. Some output groups maintain constant segment durations while others allow variable durations, with ad insertion markers strategically placed to satisfy protocol-specific constraints without requiring re-encoding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20260039930A1Management of SCTE and contents in ad breaks for compatibility

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

Methods and apparatus are described for delivering streams of media content in ways that maintain compatibility among different streaming protocols for inserting secondary content into the streams of media content. This is accomplished by encoding media content the same for each streaming protocol but generating different output groups based on each streaming protocol.