Chunked Time-to-Offset Mapping for Adaptive Video Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
In adaptive video streaming, the conventional practice of waiting for full time-to-offset mappings to be downloaded before starting video playback significantly increases startup times, especially when multiple media files are associated with a single video.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a chunked time-to-offset mapping system, where only a first set of seek index chunks is initially received and downloaded, allowing for dynamic selection of video blocks based on client capabilities, and subsequently ranking and downloading a subset of seek index chunks during streaming to optimize playback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the client waits for full time-to-offset mappings to be downloaded before starting video playback, then the seek index accuracy is improved, but the startup time is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complete time-to-offset mapping (seek index) into multiple separate chunks or segments. Instead of requiring the client to download the entire seek index before playback, the system allows playback to start with only the first chunk downloaded. Subsequent chunks are downloaded during playback, enabling the client to achieve adequate seek functionality progressively without the initial delay of waiting for the complete mapping.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple media files are associated with a single video for adaptive streaming, then the adaptability to different client conditions is improved, but the total download time for all seek indices is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the seek index download process across multiple media files. Each media file contains only a portion (chunk) of the complete time-to-offset mapping rather than duplicating the entire mapping in each file. This allows the client to download smaller portions distributed across files, reducing the total download time while maintaining adaptability through multiple streaming options.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial action by allowing video playback to commence with only a subset of the complete seek index (first chunk downloaded). The remaining chunks are downloaded progressively during playback. This partial approach enables adaptive streaming functionality to begin sooner while still providing the capability to switch between multiple media files based on client conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the client downloads complete seek indices for all video streams, then the stream switching capability is improved, but the bandwidth consumption is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the seek index data across multiple media files rather than requiring complete duplication in each file. This segmentation allows the client to download only the necessary portions of seek indices for the streams it needs, reducing total bandwidth consumption while maintaining the ability to switch between streams as chunks are progressively downloaded.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided herein relating to adaptive video streaming. Time-to-offset mapping associated with a set of video blocks can be broken up into chunks. A client can download a first set of seek index chunks and use the first set of seek index chunks to select a stream. Seek index chunks within remaining sets of seek index chunks can be ranked for relevance based on client capabilities. A subset of remaining sets of seeks index chunks can be downloaded based on the rankings and client capabilities during streaming. Chunked time-to-offset mapping can facilitate faster startup when playing streamed video.