Edge Caching Media Content in Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle entertainment systems face limitations due to limited storage capacity and unreliable broadcast signals, compromising the entertainment experience for commuters, who often need to carry additional hardware devices for media content.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for edge caching media content in vehicles, where a device receives requests from commuters via a communication network, extracts relevant media content from a database server based on rules, and stores it for playback on a display screen, eliminating the need for external hardware and enhancing the entertainment experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If media content is stored offline in the storage device of the in-vehicle entertainment system, then the entertainment experience is improved, but the limited storage capacity compromises the overall entertainment experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from storing all media content locally in the vehicle's storage device to a cloud-based architecture where media content is stored on remote servers. The in-vehicle system only stores minimal metadata and indexing information, while the actual media content is accessed through the communication network from the cloud, effectively moving the storage dimension from local physical storage to remote network storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication network as an intermediary between the in-vehicle entertainment system and the media content storage. Instead of the vehicle's storage device directly holding all media content, the communication network serves as a mediator that enables on-demand access to cloud-stored media content, thereby resolving the storage capacity limitation.
2Quantity of substance
If broadcast signals are used to play media content in real time, then the storage capacity limitation is overcome, but poor network connection affects the playback of media content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-processing and indexing media content metadata on the cloud server before the vehicle needs to access it. The system pre-organizes media content into categories and creates indexing structures that can be quickly retrieved based on user preferences and trip purposes, reducing the time and network resources needed during actual playback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively retrieving only the necessary media content metadata and indexing information from the cloud server rather than attempting to stream the entire media library. The system retrieves partial data (metadata, thumbnails, playback parameters) and caches this locally, while the actual media files are streamed only when needed, optimizing network usage and playback reliability.
3Reliability
If commuters carry additional hardware devices with media content, then the entertainment experience is enhanced, but it becomes inconvenient for commuters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a multi-functional entertainment ecosystem where the in-vehicle entertainment system can access media content from multiple sources (cloud servers, local storage, and potentially connected devices). The system serves multiple functions: it acts as a media player, a content curator, a network communicator, and a local cache, eliminating the need for commuters to carry separate hardware devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for edge caching media content on a first device placed in a vehicle is provided. The first device receives a first request to commute between a plurality of locations from a commuter device of a commuter. In response to the first request, the first device extracts the media content including a first set of media content and a second set of media content from a database server based on a set of rules. The extracted media content is stored in a memory. The first device controls a playback of the media content from one of the stored first set of media content or the stored second set of media content on an output device of a second device in the vehicle. The playback is controlled based on a second request by the commuter in the vehicle.