Group Video on Demand Media Communication Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Video on Demand (VoD) systems do not integrate communication services with media content delivery, limiting user interaction and experience during video consumption.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables group VoD services by combining media data with communication data, allowing users to request and participate in group VoD sessions over various networks, using a head-end system that manages media distribution and communication, and user terminals that de-multiplex and play out both media and communication data concurrently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Video on Demand systems provide only media content delivery, then the system structure remains simple, but user interaction and experience during video consumption is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges media content delivery with communication services by combining media data streams with communication data streams in a single transmission system. The head-end system integrates both media and communication functions, allowing users to receive video content while simultaneously participating in group discussions, thereby enhancing user interaction without requiring separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements multi-functionality by enabling a single platform to provide both media consumption and communication capabilities. User terminals can simultaneously decode and display both media data and communication data, while the head-end manages both media distribution and communication services, creating a universal system that serves multiple purposes.
2Reliability
If the system separates media delivery and communication services, then each service can be optimized independently, but integration and seamless user experience are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separately managing media data streams and communication data streams through independent protocols and processing mechanisms. The head-end system separately optimizes media delivery (using protocols like MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264) and communication services (using SIP, H.323, or VoIP), allowing each service to be tuned for its specific requirements while maintaining overall system coherence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary approach by implementing a head-end system that acts as a mediator between media delivery infrastructure and communication services. This head-end coordinates both types of data streams, ensuring they are properly synchronized and integrated from the user's perspective, while allowing independent optimization of each underlying service.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system supports group VoD with multiple users, then user engagement increases, but network bandwidth and system resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by enabling selective group participation where not all users must simultaneously access all content. The system allows flexible group formation and can dynamically adjust which users receive which media and communication data streams based on their specific interests and participation level, optimizing resource utilization while maintaining group interaction capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Method, medium and apparatus for receiving a request for a conferencing session identifying a group to participate in the conferencing session, the group comprising a first user terminal and a second user terminal, the request identifying media content to transmit to the group during the conferencing session, initiating the conferencing session including the group, in response to the request, receiving conferencing data comprising first communication data associated with the first user terminal and second communication data associated with the second user terminal, in response to the initiating the conferencing session, generating a first media stream and a second media stream, the first media stream comprising the media content and the second communication data and the second media stream comprising the media content and the first media stream and sending the first media stream to the first user terminal and the second media stream to the second user terminal.