Media File Archiving Using Base-and-Difference Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for archiving digital media files, such as movies, require massive storage due to the need to maintain multiple localized versions with slight differences, leading to costly storage and synchronization challenges.
Innovation Solution
The system archives media files by storing only the differences between a media file and a base media file, using bit-to-bit or frame-to-frame analysis to identify and extract unique segments or frames, creating a difference media file and recording their locations, thereby reducing storage size and maintaining file integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple localized versions of media files are stored separately, then file integrity and accessibility are maintained, but storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments media files into base content and localized difference segments. Instead of storing complete duplicate files, the system divides each localized version into segments that reference the base file and only stores the unique difference segments, thereby reducing overall storage while maintaining file integrity through structured segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where difference segments are stored within the archive system alongside reference to the base media file. The difference segments contain nested information about what portions of the base file to use and what modifications to apply, creating a nested doll-like structure where smaller difference files are contained within the larger archiving system
2Reliability
If complete media files are archived, then playback quality and completeness are ensured, but storage costs and synchronization complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential difference segments from complete localized media files and stores them separately in the archive. By taking out only the unique portions that differ from the base file, the system reduces storage requirements while maintaining the ability to reconstruct complete files for playback, thereby reducing synchronization complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If bit-to-bit analysis is performed to identify differences, then archiving precision is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing bit-to-bit analysis only on specific segments of the media file where differences are likely to exist, rather than analyzing every bit of every file. This selective approach maintains high archiving precision for the difference segments while significantly reducing overall processing time and computational resources required
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems of archiving media files are provided. Media files may be archived such that only the difference between a media file and a base media file is stored. The base media file is archived. The media file to be archived and the base media file may have common attributes such as video codec, resolution, frame rate, and/or color space. A media file to be archived may be compared to the base media file to determine any difference. Bit-to-bit analysis or frame-to-frame analysis may be performed to identify the differences between a media file to be archived and a base media file. The differences may be extracted from the media file to be archived. A difference media file may be created to store the difference of a media file with respect to the base media file. A record may be created to store the actual location where the difference is extracted from a media file to be archived.