Out-of-Sequence Data Stream Prefetching for Uninterrupted Playback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data streaming technologies often result in interrupted playback experiences when content needs to be processed out-of-sequence, as they require downloading complete files or media streams before playback can resume, leading to prolonged waiting times, especially for large executable files.

Innovation Solution

A system that segments data files into content objects, inserts references indicating target content objects to be processed out-of-sequence, and uses a content-centric network to facilitate uninterrupted playback by allowing clients to request and process data items incrementally, even before the complete file is downloaded.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data files are downloaded in-sequence before playback, then complete files are available for processing, but user waiting time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete file availabilityVSAvoiduser waiting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data files into discrete content objects that can be independently downloaded and processed. This allows the media player to download and process initial content objects for playback while simultaneously downloading subsequent content objects in the background, eliminating the need to wait for complete file download before starting playback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-downloading and pre-processing content objects before they are needed for playback. The media player can start playback with initially available content objects while continuing to download and process additional content objects in advance, reducing waiting time for subsequent playback segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If media players pause playback to download necessary portions, then complete content is available for continuous playback, but playback continuity is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayback continuityVSAvoiddownload efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous playback by maintaining a buffer of pre-downloaded content objects. The media player continuously downloads new content objects in the background during playback, ensuring that playback never pauses due to download completion. This creates a continuous useful action where both playback and downloading occur simultaneously without interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Content objects are downloaded and processed in advance before they are needed for playback. This preliminary action ensures that when playback reaches a certain point, the corresponding content objects are already available in the buffer, eliminating the need to pause playback for downloading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If executable files are downloaded completely before execution, then file integrity is ensured, but execution time is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile integrityVSAvoidexecution delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The executable file is segmented into multiple content objects that can be downloaded and verified independently. The system can download, verify integrity, and prepare initial content objects for execution while continuing to download the remainder of the file in the background, allowing execution to start before the complete file is downloaded.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial downloading and integrity verification of the executable file before execution begins. By downloading and verifying only the initial portion of the file that is needed for immediate execution, the system reduces waiting time while maintaining file integrity through incremental verification of downloaded segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2882199B1Method and apparatus for prefetching content in a data stream
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP2882199B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2882199B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2882199B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C

AI summary

A data-processing system facilitates processing a data stream to assist other devices to pre-fetch elements of the data stream, out-of-sequence, for uninterrupted playback. During operation, the system can receive a data file, and segments the data file into a sequence of content objects. The system then determines a target content object that is to be processed out-of-sequence, and a corresponding source content object. The system then inserts a reference to the target content object, into the source content object, and stores the sequence of content objects. A client device can disseminate interest to obtain the data stream's content objects. Upon receiving a content object, the client device can determine whether the content object includes a reference to other content objects. If so, the client device can disseminate interests for these referenced content objects.