Hierarchical HTTP Streaming Content Request Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing HTTP streaming systems face inefficiencies in content request processing due to the lack of support for partial GET operations in some network environments, leading to increased response times and processing burdens, especially when segmenting media content for streaming.
Innovation Solution
A method for hierarchically requesting contents in an HTTP streaming system involves transmitting service information obtaining requests, receiving media presentation description information, determining Segment Aggregates (SAs), constructing URLs for segment requests, and sending GET messages to retrieve content segments efficiently, allowing for dynamic code rate switching and improved processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If content segments are made large in size, then the number of HTTP requests is reduced, but the time to obtain and buffer content during playback and Seek operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides media content into multiple segments of manageable size (e.g., several seconds each). The client can request specific segments based on playback position and Seek operations, avoiding the need to buffer entire large segments while reducing the number of requests compared to very small segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a buffering mechanism that pre-loads content segments before they are needed for playback. The client maintains a buffer of pre-fetched segments, so when playback or Seek operations occur, the content is already available locally, reducing actual buffering time during critical operations.
2Loss of time
If content segments are made small in size, then the buffering time is reduced, but the number of HTTP requests increases, increasing uplink bandwidth usage and server processing burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts segment request strategies based on playback state. During normal playback, larger segments are requested to reduce request frequency. During Seek operations or initial playback, smaller segments are requested to enable faster positioning. The buffer management adapts to current playback conditions, optimizing the balance between segment size and request frequency.
3Ease of manufacture
If the HTTP protocol is used for streaming, then easy implementation is achieved, but the lack of cancellation mechanism causes complete transmission even when content is no longer needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent requests slightly more content than immediately needed by pre-buffering several seconds of content ahead of playback position. This partial excessive action ensures that even if playback jumps or pauses, the already-transmitted content remains useful, reducing the need for retransmission while maintaining HTTP protocol simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for hierarchically requesting contents in a Hypertext Transfer Protocol, HTTP, streaming system is provided, which includes: receiving a service information obtaining request transmitted from a client; returning a service information obtaining request response including media presentation description information to the client, in which the media presentation description information includes Uniform Resource Locators, URLs, corresponding to multi-level service contents; receiving a service request message being a GET message transmitted from the client, in which the request message includes the URLs of the multi-level service contents determined by the client according to service requirements and the media presentation description information; and returning a service request message response to the client, in which the service request message response includes the service contents corresponding to the URLs of the service contents determined by the client according to the service requirements and the media presentation description information, so that the contents are searched for directly according to the URLs, thereby improving processing efficiency.