DASH Metadata Redirection for Seamless Live Content Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanisms for switching between live multimedia content items in dynamic adaptive streaming do not satisfactorily handle new use cases, particularly when switching to a second live content without knowing the duration of the interruption, leading to issues with continuity, DRM management, and CDN server authentication.
Innovation Solution
A method that inserts redirection data with time synchronization information into a single set of content description metadata, allowing seamless switching between live multimedia content items by using xlink links within a container like 'Period' in DASH format, enabling access to the second content without changing the manifest during reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing mechanisms for switching between live multimedia content items are used, then switching between content items is possible, but continuity is lost and DRM management becomes complex when switching to a second live content without knowing the duration of the interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds time synchronization data and redirection information in advance within the first manifest file, before the actual content switching occurs. This preliminary preparation allows the client to seamlessly switch to the second live content item without interruption or loss of continuity, as all necessary synchronization information is already available in the first manifest.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing switching mechanisms are used, then content item switching is enabled, but DRM management and CDN server authentication become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the redirection data, time synchronization information, and second manifest content into a single first manifest file. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate DRM management and authentication processes for multiple manifest files, simplifying the overall system complexity while maintaining full content switching functionality.
3Ease of operation
If a single set of content description metadata is used with redirection data, then seamless switching is enabled, but the metadata structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the first manifest file multi-functional by embedding not only the standard content description metadata but also redirection data, time synchronization information, and embedded second manifest content. This universal approach allows a single manifest file to perform multiple functions: describe the first content, enable switching to the second content, provide synchronization data, and eliminate the need for separate manifest files, thereby simplifying operations despite the increased internal structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a method for managing multimedia content, involving: obtaining a first set of content description metadata describing a first multimedia content broadcast in dynamic mode; and upon reading, in the first set of metadata, data redirecting to a section of a second set of content description metadata, reading, in the section of the second set of metadata, data relating to a time synchronization for accessing a second multimedia content broadcast in dynamic mode.