Edge Server Introductory Segment Caching for Content Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Caching large multimedia content in its entirety in edge servers is inefficient due to storage capacity limitations and high abandonment rates of content after viewing introductory segments, especially when multiple versions are required for different devices and network connections.

Innovation Solution

Storing only the introductory segments of high user-activity content, which are identified and segmented prior to receiving a request, allowing for immediate delivery and subsequent transcoding of remaining content from a distant server, thus optimizing cache storage and reducing latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If entire content is cached in edge servers, then content delivery speed is improved, but storage capacity is quickly consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent delivery speedVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides content into introductory segments and remaining segments. Only introductory segments are cached in edge servers, while remaining segments are stored in remote storage. This segmentation allows fast delivery of the most viewed portions without caching entire large files, resolving the contradiction between delivery speed and storage capacity consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and caches only the introductory segments that users most frequently view, separating them from the remaining content. This extraction approach enables edge servers to store minimal data while still providing fast access to the most valuable content portions, addressing both speed and storage constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple versions of content are cached for different devices, then adaptability is improved, but storage capacity is quickly consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments content into introductory and remaining portions, and caches only the introductory segments in multiple versions at edge servers. This selective multi-version caching provides device adaptability for the most viewed content while minimizing storage consumption compared to caching all content in all versions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial caching by storing only introductory segments rather than complete content. This partial action approach provides sufficient adaptability for user needs while avoiding the excessive storage consumption that would result from caching full content in multiple versions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Volume of stationary object

If entire content is transmitted from remote storage, then cache storage is optimized, but latency is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecache storage efficiencyVSAvoiddelivery latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-caching introductory segments in edge servers before users request them. This advance preparation eliminates latency for the most viewed content portions while maintaining efficient cache utilization, as only essential introductory data is stored locally rather than retrieving everything from remote storage on demand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8560629B1Method of delivering content in a network

Publication Date: 2013.10.15 VALTRUS INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

A method of delivering content in a network, comprising receiving introductory segments of high user-activity content, and storing the introductory segments of high user-activity content prior to receiving a request for this high user-activity content from an end-user.