Bitrate Range Comparison for Media Segment Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media file encoding technologies, particularly Variable Bitrate (VBR) encoding, face inefficiencies due to the need to encode multiple segments across different bitrate ranges, leading to redundancy and unnecessary storage of segments with similar quality, which complicates the creation and management of playlists for varying bandwidth conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a VBR encoding algorithm to generate encoded segments across multiple bitrate ranges and identifies segments that satisfy multiple bitrate constraints, allowing for the creation of virtual playlists that include higher quality segments from different bitrate ranges, thereby reducing redundant encoding and storage while optimizing for different bandwidth conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If VBR encoding is used to generate segments across multiple bitrate ranges, then adaptability to different bandwidth conditions is improved, but device complexity increases due to managing multiple encoded versions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes encoded segments universal by allowing a single segment encoded for one bitrate range to serve multiple bitrate ranges. When a segment's bitrate satisfies multiple bitrate range constraints, it can be included in playlists for those ranges, eliminating the need for separate encoded versions for each bitrate range while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple bitrate-specific encoded versions into a single encoded segment that can satisfy multiple bitrate constraints. By combining the segments from different bitrate ranges and identifying overlapping segments, the system reduces the total number of encoded versions needed while preserving the ability to serve different bandwidth conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple bitrate ranges are encoded separately, then quality for specific bandwidth conditions is improved, but loss of substance increases due to redundant storage of similar quality segments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent discards redundant encoded segments by identifying segments that appear in multiple bitrate range encodings and keeping only one instance. The system recovers the necessary quality by ensuring that the retained segment's bitrate satisfies the constraints of the bitrate ranges it serves, eliminating waste while maintaining quality requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges duplicate segments across different bitrate range encodings into a single stored version. By combining the segment lists and removing duplicates, the system reduces storage redundancy while preserving quality, as the merged segment maintains the bitrate characteristics needed for the various bitrate ranges.
3Productivity
If segments are encoded for specific bitrate ranges only, then encoding efficiency is improved, but adaptability worsens because segments cannot be used across different bitrate ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances segment universality by designing the encoding and selection process to produce segments that can serve multiple bitrate ranges. Instead of encoding strictly for one bitrate range, the system encodes segments and then identifies which segments satisfy constraints for multiple bitrate ranges, allowing efficient reuse across different bandwidth conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics into the segment selection process by allowing segments to be dynamically assigned to multiple bitrate ranges based on their actual bitrate characteristics. Rather than static one-to-one mapping, the system dynamically determines segment applicability across bitrate ranges, improving adaptability while maintaining encoding efficiency.
4Reliability
If all segments across multiple bitrate ranges are stored, then reliability of serving any bandwidth condition is improved, but volume of stored data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent discards redundant segment copies while recovering reliability by ensuring that each bitrate range has access to appropriate segments through the deduplicated set. By removing duplicate segments and keeping only unique instances, the system reduces storage volume while maintaining reliable segment availability for all bandwidth conditions through intelligent playlist management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the segment storage requirements for multiple bitrate ranges into a single unified storage set. By combining and deduplicating segments across bitrate ranges, the system reduces total storage volume while ensuring reliability, as the merged set contains all unique segments needed to serve any bandwidth condition through appropriate playlist selection.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method encodes a first set of segments of a media file based on a first bitrate range to generate a first set of encoded segments. It is then determined when an encoded segment for the first bitrate range includes a bitrate that satisfies a second bitrate range. When the encoded segment for the first bitrate range includes the bitrate that satisfies the second bitrate range, the method does not encode a segment in the first set of segments that corresponds to the encoded segment when the media file is encoded based on the second bitrate range to generate a second set of encoded segments for the second bitrate range. A first playlist for the first bitrate range is identified and a second playlist for the second bitrate range is identified. The second playlist also includes the encoded segment that was encoded for the first bitrate range.