Dynamic Media Fragmentation Without Physical File Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional streaming methods physically fragment media files into numerous short-duration fragments, leading to cumbersome content file libraries and management challenges due to the large number of files created.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic media fragmentation system that delivers short-duration fragments over a network without physical fragmentation on disk, using a file format and server logic to efficiently manage and cache these fragments, allowing for flexible delivery and scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If media files are physically fragmented into numerous short-duration fragments on disk, then streaming delivery can be achieved, but the content file library becomes cumbersome and difficult to manage due to the large number of files created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing a media file into multiple short-duration fragments (e.g., 10-second segments) that can be independently delivered and cached. This allows the media to be streamed in manageable portions without creating permanent separate files on disk, resolving the contradiction between enabling streaming delivery and maintaining library simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (a server or processing system) that dynamically manages fragment creation and delivery. Instead of pre-fragmenting files on disk, the intermediary generates fragments on-demand from the original media file, eliminating the need to manage thousands of permanent fragment files while still enabling efficient streaming delivery.
2Duration of action of moving object
If media files are physically fragmented into many small files, then short-duration streaming fragments can be delivered, but the system complexity increases due to the large number of files to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the fragment structure dynamic rather than static. Instead of pre-creating fixed fragment files on disk, the system dynamically generates fragments with specific durations (e.g., 10 seconds) on-demand during streaming operations. This allows flexible control over fragment duration without the overhead of managing permanent fragment files.
3Ease of operation
If the media file is not physically fragmented on disk, then file management is simplified, but the ability to deliver short-duration fragments efficiently may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing the media file to create a fragment index or map that stores metadata about fragment boundaries, durations, and locations. This preliminary structuring allows the system to efficiently deliver short-duration fragments without physically fragmenting the file on disk, maintaining both file management simplicity and delivery efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Media fragmentation may be provided. First, a request for a manifest may be received from a client. Then, in response to the received request for the manifest, the manifest may be sent to the client. Next, a request may be received from the client for a file fragment. The request may indicate a start time and an end time corresponding to the file fragment. The request may be in a format defined by the manifest. Then a lookup table may be queried for a first byte location in a media file corresponding to the start time and a second byte location in the media file corresponding to the end time. Next, a portion of the media file between the first byte location and the second byte location may be extracted from the media file. The portion may comprise the file fragment. The file fragment may be sent to the client.