Localized Adaptive Content Distribution for HDR/UHD Stream Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional content distribution chains often down-convert high-quality content formats like HDR and UHD to lower-quality formats due to infrastructure constraints, resulting in reduced quality of digital content on consumer devices, and upgrading these chains is expensive and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a rules engine to dynamically switch between multiple broadcasting streams, including high-quality formats, by providing switchover markers and scheduling rules to enable seamless transitions between different streaming formats, such as HD and UHD, without the need for extensive infrastructure upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional content distribution chains are used to deliver high-quality content (HDR/UHD), then content quality is improved, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A rules engine is introduced as an intermediary component that receives content from traditional distribution chains and dynamically switches between multiple broadcasting streams (including alternative streams with different quality levels) based on switchover markers. This intermediary enables high-quality content delivery without requiring the entire distribution chain to be upgraded, as the switching logic is centralized in the rules engine rather than distributed throughout the infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different content streams based on real-time conditions and scheduling rules. The rules engine can transition between traditional distribution chain content and alternative stream content (such as SDR vs HDR, or different resolutions) depending on the switchover markers received, allowing the system to adapt its output quality without permanent infrastructure changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If content is down-converted to match distribution chain capabilities, then compatibility is improved, but content quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between different content streams based on the capabilities of the distribution chain and the consumer device. The rules engine receives switchover markers that indicate when to switch between alternative streams (e.g., from HDR to SDR, or from UHD to HD) to match distribution chain capabilities, thereby maintaining compatibility without permanent down-conversion of the source content.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the quality parameters (resolution, color depth, frame rate) of the delivered content by switching between different pre-encoded streams rather than modifying the source content. This allows the distribution chain to deliver content in the appropriate quality level for its capabilities while preserving the original high-quality source material for when higher-quality delivery is available.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional content distribution chains are upgraded to support high-quality formats, then content quality is improved, but upgrade time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares multiple content streams in advance (including both traditional and alternative streams with different quality levels) and stores them ready for delivery. The rules engine has pre-configured scheduling rules and switchover markers that enable immediate switching between streams without requiring real-time processing or infrastructure upgrades. This preliminary preparation of alternative streams allows the system to deliver high-quality content when available while falling back to lower-quality streams when the distribution chain cannot support it, all without time-consuming upgrades.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple broadcasting streams with different formats are maintained, then content format versatility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rules engine serves as a centralized intermediary that manages the complexity of multiple broadcasting streams. Instead of distributing complex switching logic throughout the distribution chain, all format selection and stream switching decisions are centralized in the rules engine, which receives switchover markers and applies scheduling rules to determine which stream to deliver. This centralization reduces system complexity compared to having distributed intelligence at each node.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, a rules engine and a non-transitory computer readable medium to enable switching between multiple broadcasting streams. The method comprises providing, via a communication network, a first live broadcasting stream of a first content stream origination source to a playback device; providing, via the rules engine, over the communication network, a switchover marker, instructing the playback device to switch to the second live broadcasting stream from the first live broadcasting stream; and providing, via the communication network, the second live broadcasting stream of the second content stream origination source to the playback device, wherein the second live broadcasting stream is being provided in response to the switchover marker.