Content Request Redirection for Distributed Live Asset Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current content delivery networks face challenges in effectively managing and distributing live content assets, particularly in identifying and updating the location of content stored across multiple, geographically and topologically disparate locations, leading to complexity, latency, and scalability issues.
Innovation Solution
A digital content manager apparatus and method that utilizes a centralized system to manage content location data using existing protocols, such as HTTP 301 messages, to redirect content requests to the correct storage locations, reducing the need for individual updates at each network process and enhancing scalability and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a centralized system is used to manage content location data, then scalability and flexibility are improved, but individual process autonomy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized Content Management System (CMS) as an intermediary between content storage locations and client processes. The CMS maintains a database of content location data and provides a unified interface for managing content across the network. This mediator handles location updates centrally, eliminating the need for individual process updates and enabling scalable content management without increasing individual process complexity.
2Measurement precision
If content location data is updated at each network process, then data accuracy is maintained, but latency and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining content location data in advance in the centralized CMS database. When content is stored or moved, the CMS proactively updates the location data in its database before client processes need to access it. This preliminary update eliminates the latency of real-time synchronization at each process, as all location information is pre-computed and centrally maintained.
3Reliability
If multiple client processes are serviced by individual instances, then service quality is maintained, but system complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal Content Management System that serves multiple client processes through a single centralized instance. The CMS is designed to handle requests from any number of client processes simultaneously, providing universal service rather than requiring dedicated instances for each client. This multi-functional approach maintains service quality through centralized control while reducing overall system complexity by eliminating redundant process instances.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for managing provision of digital content within a content distribution network. In one embodiment, a content application manager (CAM) process is used to provide one or more centralized redirection functions for network client processes such as just-in-time (JIT) packagers and cloud digital video recorders (cDVRs). A local database accessible to the CAM is updated with “live” or other content storage locations within the network, and accordingly each of the client processes can be made simpler and not require any intrinsic knowledge of content asset storage locations. This simplifies the client process configuration, enhances performance in terms of reduced end-user request servicing latency, and allows for single-point automated database updates versus having to provide updates to each client process as under the prior art.