Live Streaming Playlist Segmentation for Bandwidth Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current media streaming techniques for live video content are inefficient, particularly in terms of bandwidth usage, as they require repeated downloading of event playlists, which can lead to significant network overhead and limited user navigation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A media player configured to utilize both sliding-window and on-demand playlists, where the on-demand playlist is dynamically updated only as needed based on user navigation, allowing for seamless playback and reduced bandwidth consumption by switching between these playlists using a navigation state machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional media streaming techniques are used for live video content, then media content can be delivered over the network, but network bandwidth overhead increases significantly due to repeated downloading of event playlists
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the playlist into two distinct types: a sliding-window playlist for live content and an on-demand playlist for historical content. This segmentation allows the system to download only the necessary portions of playlists based on user navigation needs, rather than repeatedly downloading complete event playlists, thereby reducing network bandwidth overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic playlist management where the on-demand playlist is updated only when necessary based on user navigation behavior. The system transitions from a static single playlist approach to a dynamic multi-playlist system that adapts to user needs, reducing unnecessary bandwidth consumption while maintaining streaming efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If a single fixed on-demand playlist is used for live events, then user navigation capabilities are limited, but repeated downloading of updated playlists consumes excessive network bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the navigation functionality into two separate playlist systems: sliding-window playlist for live content navigation and on-demand playlist for historical content navigation. This segmentation enables comprehensive user navigation capabilities while minimizing bandwidth usage by downloading only necessary playlist updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service playlist management where the media player automatically determines when to download playlist updates based on user navigation behavior. The navigation state machine monitors user actions and triggers playlist updates only when necessary, reducing network bandwidth overhead while maintaining full navigation functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the on-demand playlist is updated continuously for each new media segment, then complete historical content is available, but network bandwidth consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by updating the on-demand playlist only when necessary based on user navigation needs, rather than continuously updating it for every new media segment. This selective update approach maintains adequate historical content availability while significantly reducing network bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation state machine provides feedback about user navigation behavior to determine when playlist updates are necessary. This feedback mechanism allows the system to update the on-demand playlist only when users actually need access to historical content, reducing unnecessary bandwidth consumption while maintaining content availability.
Data Source
AI summary
A media player or other type of client device is configured to obtain a plurality of playlists for a given item of media content from one or more servers over a network. The playlists comprise at least a sliding-window playlist and an on-demand playlist for the given item of media content with each such playlist identifying a plurality of media segments of the given item of media content. The client device comprises a playback module configured to play back portions of the given item of media content utilizing respective ones of the sliding-window and on-demand playlists. A navigation state machine controls switching of the playback module between playback of media segments from the sliding-window playlist and playback of media segments from the on-demand playlist responsive to user navigation within a timeline of the given item of media content using one or more navigational controls.