DASH Zapping Segment Synchronization for Rapid Channel Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In DASH adaptive streaming, rapid zapping between channels is hindered by segment length mismatches and differing reproduction start times, leading to delays and increased communication bandwidth requirements.
Innovation Solution
A content supply device generates zapping segment streams by delimiting streaming data into minimum units synchronized with other channels, using a zapping segment stream generating unit, unicast delivery, and multicast delivery, along with a metafile generating unit that creates synchronized MPDs for rapid switching between channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If segment lengths and reproduction start times are not synchronized across channels, then each channel can maintain independent streaming data, but zapping between channels experiences delays and requires increased communication bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments streaming data into synchronized time-aligned units across multiple channels. By dividing content into uniformly timed segments that can be independently addressed and switched, the system enables rapid channel changes without requiring full buffer clearing or lengthy synchronization periods, thus improving zapping speed while maintaining efficient bandwidth utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary synchronization of segment boundaries and reproduction start times across all channels before zapping operations. By pre-aligning the temporal structure of streaming data in the MPD metadata, the system prepares channels for instantaneous switching without delays, allowing receivers to immediately switch between synchronized channels without buffer management overhead or bandwidth waste.
2Loss of time
If segment lengths differ across channels, then each channel can optimize for its specific content, but switching between channels requires waiting for segment boundaries causing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of streaming data by enforcing synchronized segment lengths and aligned reproduction start times across channels. This parameter standardization allows receivers to switch channels at any synchronized boundary without waiting for segment completions, eliminating switching delays while preserving channel independence through standardized temporal structuring defined in MPD metadata.
3Productivity
If channels use unsynchronized segment structures, then content delivery can be flexible and adaptive, but rapid channel switching becomes inefficient with delays and bandwidth overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal temporal synchronization framework that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables rapid zapping operations, maintains efficient bandwidth utilization, preserves content delivery flexibility, and simplifies receiver implementation. The synchronized segment structure defined in MPD metadata provides a multi-functional foundation that supports both efficient content delivery and easy channel switching operations across diverse streaming scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a content supply device, a content supply method, a program, a terminal device, and a content supply system, which are capable of implementing rapid zapping between channels in DASH. The content supply device of the present disclosure generates a zapping segment stream by delimiting zapping streaming data among a plurality of pieces of streaming data into minimum units when reception of the streaming data is switched, according to a common timing with another channel, unicast-delivers the zapping segment stream, multicast-delivers the zapping segment stream, and generates a metafile for a reception side to receive the zapping segment stream that is unicast-delivered and multicast-delivered. The present disclosure can be applied to a system that delivers content in a streaming manner.