Distributed Video Transcoding via Server Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing server systems face performance issues when performing multiple transcoding operations due to the use of low-end processors, leading to difficulties in transmitting content to multiple clients simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A distributed transcoding method that offloads transcoding tasks to multiple servers based on their performance rates, where the first server segments video files and assigns transcoding tasks to servers with matching performance levels, and switches servers to low-power mode when not in use to conserve energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transcoding operations are performed on a single server with low-end processor, then the server can serve multiple clients, but the processing performance and speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAbility to serve multiple clientsVSAvoidTranscoding processing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments transcoding tasks into multiple independent units that can be distributed across different servers. Each server handles specific transcoding operations independently, allowing parallel processing and improving overall productivity while maintaining the ability to serve multiple clients simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-server architecture to a multi-server distributed architecture, adding the dimension of spatial distribution. This allows transcoding operations to be performed across multiple servers simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between serving multiple clients and maintaining processing speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If high-performance servers are used for transcoding operations, then processing speed improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTranscoding processing speedVSAvoidServer energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic server selection and task distribution based on real-time server performance and energy consumption characteristics. The system can adaptively adjust which servers perform transcoding operations, balancing processing speed requirements with energy consumption constraints by selecting appropriate servers for each task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If transcoding tasks are distributed to multiple servers, then processing capacity increases, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTotal transcoding capacityVSAvoidSystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a task management server as an intermediary that coordinates transcoding operations across multiple servers. This central coordinator simplifies the system architecture by providing a single point of control for task distribution, server selection, and result aggregation, thereby managing the complexity of distributed transcoding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Speed

If servers remain active continuously to handle transcoding requests, then response time improves, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveResponse timeVSAvoidServer power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic monitoring of server availability and performance, allowing servers to transition between active and low-power states. The system periodically checks for transcoding requests and activates servers only when needed, balancing response time requirements with energy conservation by using sleep modes during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9578136B2Distributed transcoding apparatus and method using multiple servers

Publication Date: 2017.02.21 OMNISLASH DIGITAL LLC

AI summary

An embodiment provides a distributed transcoding method using a plurality of servers. The method includes receiving a request for a first video file from a first terminal. The method also includes segmenting the video file based on a play time of at least portion of the video file and a performance rate of a plurality of second servers. The method also includes transmitting the segmented video file to the plurality of second servers, which includes transmitting the segmented video file of a greater size to the second server having a higher performance among the plurality of second servers and transmitting the segmented video file having a smaller size to the server having a lower performance among the plurality of second servers. The method also includes receiving a transcoded video file from the plurality of second servers. The method also includes transmitting the transcoded video files to the first terminal.