HTTP Streaming Server Time Sync for Live Media Fragment Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
In HTTP-based streaming services, clients cannot accurately determine the location of live media data generated in real time, making it difficult to request and play the latest media content, which hampers live play services.
Innovation Solution
The server sends the live play start time and current time to the client, allowing the client to determine the location indication information of the required media fragment, which the client then uses to request and play the corresponding media fragment file from the server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the server is a passive service provider that only sends files as requested by the client, then the client can access media files using URL requests, but the client cannot accurately determine the location of live media data generated in real time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an index file as an intermediary between the client and the actual media files. The index file contains location information and metadata about media fragments, allowing the client to indirectly access the media files without needing to know their exact locations. This resolves the contradiction by providing a mechanism for the passive server to still enable clients to access live media data through the intermediary index structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The server performs preliminary action by pre-generating and storing index files that contain location information about media fragments before the client makes requests. This allows the client to determine media data locations in advance by reading the index file, rather than having to discover locations dynamically during playback.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the client needs to expressly indicate the requested file or part of a file using URL and location interval, then the client has control over file selection, but the client cannot request the latest created media data in live play scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The index file serves as a mediator that translates the client's high-level playback requests into specific file location information. Instead of the client needing to calculate and construct complex URL+location interval strings for each media fragment, the client simply requests the index file and uses the location information provided within it, maintaining adaptability while improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The server pre-calculates and stores the location information of media fragments in the index file before the client needs to access them. This preliminary organization of data allows the client to quickly access the latest media data without having to perform complex calculations or multiple probing requests, thus improving access speed while maintaining selection control.
3Measurement precision
If the server stores and manages media fragments with location information, then the client can determine media fragment locations, but the server complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media storage system into two independent parts: the actual media fragment files and the index file. The index file contains all the location information and metadata, while the media files can be stored in any convenient location. This segmentation allows the server to provide precise location information through the lightweight index structure without requiring complex management systems for the actual media files.
Solution Approach 2:
The index file acts as an intermediary layer that simplifies server complexity. Instead of the server needing to manage and track the locations of individual media fragments dynamically, the server only needs to maintain the static index file, which automatically provides precise location information to clients without requiring complex server-side location management logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for implementing a Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP)-based streaming service is disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention. The method includes: a server receives a request from a client, and returns, to the client according to a request for a media presentation description file, a response that carries the media presentation description file; the server sets up a time synchronization relationship with the client; and the server receives a uniform resource locator from the client, obtains a corresponding media fragment file, and returns the media fragment file to the client for playing on the client, where the uniform resource locator is a uniform resource locator of a media fragment that is determined by the client and is required to be played, and is used for the client to request the media fragment file from the server.