Animated Bitmap Overlay for Media Playback Bandwidth Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for presenting media programs in digital form struggle to allow users to create easily shareable copies while ensuring copyright protection and monitoring control.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus generate an animated bitmap image file from a video media program, allowing users to select and manipulate image files for creating lightweight, shareable copies, using a server-based system that retrieves and processes image files from a media program, enabling precise control over frame rates and image quality without requiring high bandwidth or video editing software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If streaming media servers are used to deliver media content, then media playback is enabled while further portions are received, but high bandwidth and CPU throughput are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media delivery process by separating the streaming media server function from the web server function. The web server delivers complete media files using standard HTTP protocols, while the streaming media server handles progressive download and playback control. This segmentation allows the system to avoid the high bandwidth requirements of traditional streaming servers by using efficient HTTP-based delivery with client-side buffering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a progressive download mechanism as an intermediary between the web server and the media player. This intermediary enables the client to receive and buffer media content in the background while playback occurs, eliminating the need for specialized streaming server infrastructure and reducing bandwidth requirements through efficient HTTP protocol usage.
2Productivity
If a streaming media server transmits video data only as needed, then precise control over the number of streams is maintained, but control messages and data messages increase communication overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the streaming control functionality from the server side and moves it to the client side. The media player on the client device handles playback control, buffering management, and seek operations locally, eliminating the need for complex server-side control messages and reducing communication overhead to simple HTTP requests and responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The client-side media player performs self-service by autonomously managing the playback process, including buffer management, rate control, and seek operations. This self-service approach eliminates the need for continuous server intervention and complex bidirectional control messaging, simplifying the communication protocol while maintaining precise stream control.
3Ease of operation
If users are allowed to create copies of media programs, then shareability is improved, but copyright protection is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a controlled copying mechanism that allows users to create and share media files through legitimate channels. The system provides authorized copy functions within the media player that enable users to save portions of media content for personal use or sharing, while the copied files remain subject to copyright management and licensing constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of media file distribution by transitioning from restricted streaming to authorized file copying. Users can obtain media files in various formats and resolutions through legitimate purchase or licensing channels, and the system manages copyright protection through digital rights management (DRM) and licensing mechanisms rather than technical restrictions on copying itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for conveniently providing animated bitmap image files from media is described. The method uses a technique in which a plurality of PNG files are generated and transmitted to be presented to the user via an overlay to a media program player.