Locally Cached Video Transcoding for MDU Bandwidth Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adaptive Bit Rate (ABR) technology in IPTV services for multi-dwelling units (MDUs) faces inefficiencies due to varying bandwidth availability and video-processing capabilities among users, leading to network congestion and increased cache size, especially in high-user-density environments.
Innovation Solution
A transcoding system that dynamically adjusts video streams by caching locally and transcoding ABR video segments based on user bandwidth and processing capabilities, using media converters and gateway devices with transcoders to convert video streams to suitable formats, reducing cache size and enhancing bandwidth efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If CMCs and GWs cache unique ABR video streams with different bit rates, then video service availability is improved, but network bandwidth efficiency deteriorates and cache size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video stream into multiple bit rate versions and distributes them across different cache locations (CMCs and GWs) in the network hierarchy. Instead of caching all bit rate versions at every node, the system divides the caching responsibility across multiple segments of the network, reducing redundant storage and bandwidth consumption while maintaining service availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality adaptation by allowing different cache nodes (CMCs and GWs) to store different bit rate versions of video streams based on local demand patterns and network conditions. Each node optimizes its cache content locally, serving nearby users with appropriate bit rate versions without requiring all nodes to maintain identical complete caches.
2Adaptability or versatility
If CMCs and GWs cache unique ABR video streams, then user video-processing requirements are met, but cache size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The caching system is segmented across multiple network nodes (CMCs and GWs), with each node storing only a subset of video stream versions. This segmentation reduces the cache size at each individual node while collectively maintaining support for all user video-processing requirements through the distributed cache system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to caching by distributing video streams across multiple network locations rather than concentrating all caches at single nodes. This dimensional change from centralized to distributed caching reduces the cache size requirement at each location while maintaining overall system capability to serve diverse video-processing needs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bit rate streams are cached at network nodes, then ABR service flexibility is improved, but network congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into hierarchical cache nodes (CMCs at optical network boundaries and GWs at cable network boundaries), each responsible for caching and serving specific subsets of ABR streams. This segmentation reduces network congestion by localizing cache operations and reducing the need for long-distance stream transmissions across the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary cache nodes (CMCs and GWs) that mediate between the headend and end users. These intermediaries cache video streams locally, reducing the load on trunk network links and preventing congestion while maintaining ABR service flexibility. The intermediaries act as buffer zones that absorb network traffic variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for transcoding locally cached content may include a memory configured to store at least a video stream. A controller communicatively coupled to the memory may be configured to determine a video definition format of a requested video stream and compare the requested video stream with a video definition format of a cached version of the requested video stream. A transcoder coupled to the controller may be configured to convert the cached version of the requested video stream to a lower video definition format if the video definition format of the cached version is determined to be higher than the video definition format of the requested video stream. If the video definition format of the requested video stream is same as the video definition format of the cached version, the controller may supply the requested video stream using the cached version stored in the memory without transcoding.