Manifest Server for Video Streaming Logic Enforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video streaming technologies face challenges in implementing and enforcing complex logic rules for video content distribution across various video player configurations, which can impact user experiences.
Innovation Solution
A server-based system generates unique manifest files and updates for each video player, allowing for the enforcement of logic rules such as inserting alternative content or inhibiting skip functions, thereby providing customized user experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single manifest file is generated for each encoded video signal and distributed to all video players, then the system complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to enforce complex logic rules for video content distribution across various video player configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the manifest file delivery process by introducing an intermediary server that receives the original manifest file and generates customized versions for different video players. This segmentation allows the system to maintain a single original manifest file while providing player-specific adaptations, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary server between the content delivery network and video players. This intermediary receives the original manifest file, identifies the video player type, and generates customized manifest files with appropriate logic rules. The intermediary acts as a mediator that enables adaptability without requiring changes to the original manifest file generation process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customized manifest files are generated for each video player to enforce logic rules, then adaptability to video player configurations is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of manifest file generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary server consolidates the complexity of generating customized manifest files into a single component. Rather than each video player needing complex logic to adapt to different configurations, the intermediary handles all customization logic centrally, reducing the complexity burden on individual players while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating customized manifest files at the intermediary server before delivery to video players. This preliminary customization eliminates the need for complex real-time adaptation logic in each player, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability through pre-computed configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If logic rules are enforced at the video player level, then customization capability is improved, but the ease of operation and consistency across different player configurations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary server centralizes the logic rule enforcement process, acting as a mediator that applies consistent rules across all video players. This eliminates the need for each player to independently implement complex logic rules, improving ease of operation while maintaining customization capability through server-side control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the intermediary server receives information about video player configurations and delivers appropriately customized manifest files. This feedback loop ensures consistent enforcement of logic rules while adapting to different player types, improving both ease of operation and customization capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for managing video playback for users during video streaming is disclosed. In one aspect, the method may include receiving a request from a first video player for playing a video stream, identifying a first playlist for the video stream, modifying the first playlist for the video stream to produce a second playlist identifying a first combination of video content segments and alternative content segments, transmitting the second playlist to the first video player to allow the first video player to provide playback of video content comprising the first combination of the video content segments and the alternative content segments, receiving, from the first video player, an indication of a request of a user of the first video player to seek forward when viewing the video content, modifying the second playlist for the video stream to produce a third playlist identifying a second combination of video content segments and alternative content segments, and transmitting the third playlist to the first video player, the third playlist indicating whether the request of the user to seek forward is allowed.