Live Streaming Media Events Using a Single Manifest Track

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for transmitting media events to a client application using a constantly updated manifest are computationally expensive and consume network bandwidth, and they require a client application to repeatedly download new/updated manifests to receive accurate information regarding upcoming or past media events and associated supplemental content, which are not efficiently scalable and consume network bandwidth.

Innovation Solution

A method for streaming media content with media events using a single manifest and a media events track, where the single manifest includes static and dynamic metadata to accurately deliver media events without requiring repeated downloads, thereby reducing computational and network bandwidth usage and improving scalability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a constantly updated manifest is used to transmit media events, then media events can be delivered to client applications, but network bandwidth is consumed and computational resources are exhausted due to repeated downloads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia event delivery accuracyVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments media event delivery into two distinct mechanisms: a static manifest that contains historical media event information and a dynamic media events track that delivers future events. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable media event delivery while avoiding repeated downloads of the same information, as clients only need to request the events track once after receiving the manifest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The manifest is generated in advance with historical media event information before the actual streaming occurs. This preliminary action allows clients to have all necessary past and present event information available without needing to repeatedly download updated manifests, thereby reducing network bandwidth consumption while maintaining delivery accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manifests are repeatedly downloaded to receive updated media events, then accurate supplemental content information is obtained, but computational expense increases for both client and server

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupplemental content information accuracyVSAvoidcomputational resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates media event information into a static manifest (containing historical events) and a dynamic events track (containing future events). This segmentation enables clients to obtain accurate supplemental content information without repeatedly downloading the entire manifest, significantly reducing computational resources required for both client and server.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of repeatedly copying the entire manifest, the system creates a separate media events track that copies only the necessary future event information. This selective copying approach maintains information accuracy while reducing computational expense by avoiding redundant data transfers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If individual manifests are generated for each client application, then client-specific media event information is provided, but system scalability is limited due to the increasing number of manifests

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclient-specific media event deliveryVSAvoidnumber of manifests to manage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal media events track that serves all client applications simultaneously, eliminating the need to generate individual manifests for each client. This multi-functional approach allows the system to provide client-specific media event information through a single shared structure, dramatically improving scalability while reducing the complexity of managing multiple manifests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If repeated manifest downloads are performed, then updated media event information is received, but streaming delays occur and network bandwidth is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia event timing accuracyVSAvoidstreaming delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting media event delivery into a static manifest and a dynamic events track, the system eliminates the need for repeated downloads that cause delays. Clients receive the manifest once with historical event information, then only need to request the events track for future events, ensuring accurate media event timing without streaming delays or network bandwidth waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260067511A1Techniques for streaming live media content with media events

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 NETFLIX INC

AI summary

In various embodiments, a method for streaming media content with media events comprises receiving, at a first time, a request for a manifest associated with media content for a live streaming event; generating the manifest based on the request, wherein the manifest includes one or more first media events that occur prior to the first time; transmitting, to a client application, the manifest and the media content for playback; and transmitting, to the client application, a media events track that includes one or more second media events that occur subsequent to the first time.