Content Distribution Server Load Reduction via Timing Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing variety of terminal devices with different reproduction environments, such as smartphones and wristwatch-type terminals, leads to an increased load on content distribution servers, as they need to perform filtering and modification processing for various devices, including determining distribution timing, which is inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A content distribution system with a content server and distribution server that includes an attribute noticing unit, standby unit, and content distribution request unit, where attribute information about distribution timing is noticed and meta information is added to content, allowing the distribution server to manage content distribution efficiently by reducing the need for filtering and determining distribution timing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the distribution server performs filtering and modification processing for various terminal devices, then content can be adapted to different reproduction environments, but the server load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent adaptation to different devicesVSAvoidserver load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the content distribution function into two parts: the content server handles content storage and basic processing, while the distribution server handles only the distribution logic. This segmentation allows the distribution server to avoid heavy filtering and modification processing, reducing its load while maintaining adaptability to different terminal devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The content server performs preliminary processing of content data before distribution. By pre-processing content on the content server side, the distribution server receives already-processed data that requires minimal additional processing, thereby reducing its computational load while still enabling content adaptation to various reproduction environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If the distribution server determines distribution timing for content, then content can be delivered at appropriate times, but the processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistribution timing accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The content server autonomously manages its own content data including storage, processing, and timing information. By enabling the content server to self-manage these functions, the distribution server is relieved of the complexity of determining distribution timing, reducing its processing complexity while maintaining accurate content delivery timing through the content server's autonomous timing management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If content is processed on the server side for various terminal devices, then content compatibility is improved, but the server requires more resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent compatibilityVSAvoidserver resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments resource responsibilities between two servers: the content server stores and pre-processes content data, while the distribution server only manages distribution logic. This segmentation reduces the total resource requirements on any single server while maintaining content compatibility across various terminal devices through coordinated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The content server performs preliminary processing of content data including filtering and modification before the distribution phase. By pre-processing content on the content server, the system reduces the resources needed on the distribution server while still achieving content compatibility with various terminal devices through the pre-processed content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9264473B2Content distribution system, content distribution server, content distribution method, and computer readable medium for distributing content easily viewable by terminal device having small display part

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

A content distribution system includes a content server and a distribution server. The distribution server distributes the content provided from the content server via a network. The distribution server includes a notice accept unit, an issuing unit, a content receiving unit and a distribution execution unit. The notice accept unit receives a notice of attribute information from the content server, the attribute information corresponding to a distribution timing of content. The issuing unit issues a permission notice according to the accepted attribute information and transmits the issued permission notice to the content server. The content receiving unit receives the content added with meta information containing the distribution timing from the content server after issuing the permission notice. The distribution execution unit distributes the content received by the content receiving unit to the terminal device according to the distribution timing contained in the meta information added to the content.