Multicasting Live Video via Streaming Database Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems do not allow for real-time sharing of live video experiences with geographically dispersed social networks, limiting the ability to share immediate events in a simultaneous and interactive manner.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for multicasting live video streams, enabling users to invite selected individuals to join a live video event, processing acceptance, and outputting video streams in real-time or cached format, with adaptive formatting based on device capabilities, and optional integration of advertising content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If live video streaming is implemented for real-time sharing, then the ability to share immediate events in real-time is improved, but the system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a streaming database server as an intermediary component that receives, stores, and redistributes video streams. This mediator architecture allows the system to handle real-time streaming without requiring direct peer-to-peer connections between all users, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining real-time sharing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and distributes copies of the video stream to multiple recipients simultaneously through the streaming database. Instead of requiring complex real-time synchronization across distributed systems, the patent uses simple stream copying and broadcasting mechanisms that maintain real-time delivery while simplifying the underlying infrastructure
2Adaptability or versatility
If video streams are formatted adaptively based on device capabilities, then the compatibility and user experience across different devices is improved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adaptive video streaming by changing parameters such as resolution, bitrate, and format based on the recipient's device capabilities. The system detects device characteristics and automatically adjusts stream parameters to ensure optimal playback quality while maintaining compatibility across diverse devices, balancing adaptability with processing efficiency
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users are invited and accepted invitations are processed, then the social networking and sharing capability is improved, but the coordination and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service mechanisms where users automatically receive invitations, process acceptances, and join streaming sessions without manual coordination. The streaming database server automatically manages user connections, stream distribution, and session coordination, reducing the complexity of social networking features while enhancing sharing capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed which provides for multicasting video of an event, thereby allowing geographically dispersed members of a user's social network to experience a user's current locale, so that the user's friends may join him via live video at events (concerts, clubs, or other venues) which they cannot attend in person. The method includes the steps of enabling transmission of an invitation to at least one selected individual; processing an acceptance of the invitation; processing a live video signal of the event; storing the signal in a streaming database; and outputting a video stream in accordance with the acceptance. The outputting may be performed in real time. The processing of the live video signal may also include caching the video signal, so that the event may be viewed other than in real time.