Manifest File Size Reduction via Segment Indexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manifest file solutions experience increased size due to inefficient representation of unavailable content segments and predictable segment naming conventions, leading to higher network bandwidth usage and storage requirements.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method generates a manifest file with a template element containing segment elements with sequential identifiers and string values, allowing for non-predictable naming conventions and indicating unavailable segments within the same Period element, reducing file size and network traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If manifest files include detailed information about unavailable segments using traditional methods, then completeness of content description is improved, but manifest file size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed to describe unavailable segments (segment indices and availability status) while removing redundant details about available segments. This is achieved by using a compact data structure that lists only missing segments rather than enumerating all segments with their status, thereby reducing manifest file size while maintaining completeness of content description.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation from detailed segment-by-segment descriptions to a condensed format using segment indices and availability booleans. This parameter transformation allows the manifest to convey the same information about unavailable segments using fewer bytes, directly addressing the contradiction between information completeness and file size.
2Quantity of substance
If segment naming uses sequential identifiers, then manifest file size is reduced, but predictability of segment names increases which may compromise security
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary hashing or obfuscation to segment identifiers before inclusion in the manifest. By pre-processing the segment names through a deterministic but non-reversible function, the system maintains the compact size benefits of sequential identifiers while eliminating the security vulnerability of predictable naming patterns. This preliminary transformation resolves the contradiction between file size efficiency and naming security.
3Measurement precision
If manifest files transmit complete segment information, then accuracy of content delivery is improved, but network bandwidth usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and transmits only the critical subset of segment information—specifically, the indices and availability status of unavailable segments—while omitting redundant information about available segments. This extraction approach maintains the accuracy needed for content delivery (the player can still correctly identify and request available segments) while dramatically reducing the amount of data transmitted over the network.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for manifest file size reductions. It can be determined that one or more segments of a representation of a content item are unavailable. A manifest can be generated comprising a representation element indicating the unavailable one or more segments. The representation element can include a text string associated with content displayable instead of the unavailable one or more segments.