Dynamic Segment Assembly for CDN Adaptive-Bitrate Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for delivering customized video content require significant computer resources for transcoding and storage of multiple versions of content, especially with adaptive bitrate streaming, leading to memory and processor bandwidth inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A backend system stores and selects sections of video content based on user data and metadata, assembling a playlist for streaming that includes locators for customized interstitial content, reducing the need for local storage of multiple versions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple versions of video content are stored and transcoded for adaptive bitrate streaming, then content customization and delivery quality are improved, but memory and processor resources are significantly consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments video content into discrete sections with identifiers, allowing the system to reference and stream specific portions without storing complete multiple versions. The manifest file segments content descriptions into manageable units that can be dynamically assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a manifest file as an intermediary that describes video content sections without requiring the actual video data to be stored in multiple versions. This manifest acts as a reference layer that enables content delivery without duplicating the actual video content.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple versions of video content are stored and transcoded for adaptive bitrate streaming, then content customization and delivery quality are improved, but processor bandwidth is significantly consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by creating a manifest file that describes all possible video sections and their properties in advance. This allows the system to plan content assembly without requiring real-time transcoding operations, shifting processing work to an earlier stage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating actual copies of video content in multiple versions, the patent creates a descriptive copy in the form of a manifest file. This manifest copy contains all necessary information about video sections without duplicating the actual video data, reducing processor bandwidth requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extensive transcoding and storage of multiple content versions is performed, then customized content delivery is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential information about video content into a separate manifest file, taking out the complexity of content description from the video data itself. This separation simplifies the system architecture by allowing independent management of content metadata without manipulating the actual video content.
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect of the disclosure related to methods and systems configured to detect that an item of streaming primary video content associated with a channel of scheduled streaming content is designated to be streamed to a device. Ancillary content is identified. Alternative versions of respective sections of the ancillary content are identified. Metadata corresponding to the alternative versions of ancillary content, metadata corresponding to the item of primary video content, and/or metadata corresponding to the channel are used in selecting a first section from among the alternative versions of a given section. The ancillary content, including the selected first section from among the alternative versions is streamed to the device immediately before, during, or immediately after the item of streaming video content. The alternative versions may be transcoded to generate multiple encoded iterations of respective alternative versions and the encoded versions are stored in a tree data structure.