Hierarchical Media Distribution System Multi-Stage Batching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media distribution systems face inefficiencies and high costs due to the linear scaling of servers and network resources with the number of users, making unicast transmission impractical for meeting growing demand for on-demand media content.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical media distribution system employs multi-stage batching, where content is divided into segments and distributed across multiple levels, using multicast transmission to aggregate requests and reduce load on distribution nodes, with pre-population strategies based on popularity and storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If unicast transmission is used to deliver media content, then each user request can be served individually, but the number of servers and network resources must scale linearly with the number of users, increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple unicast requests into a single multicast transmission by batching content segments together. Distribution nodes aggregate requests for the same content segment and transmit them using a single multicast stream, thereby serving multiple users simultaneously with one transmission instead of requiring separate unicast transmissions for each user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides content into multiple segments that can be independently batched and transmitted. By segmenting content, the system can apply different batching strategies to different segments, aggregate requests more effectively, and distribute segments through multiple distribution nodes in parallel, reducing the overall resource requirements.
2Productivity
If the number of users requesting media content increases, then more content delivery capacity is needed, but unicast transmission requires linearly more servers and network resources, making it costly and impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple user requests for the same content segment into a single multicast transmission stream. Instead of allocating separate server resources and network bandwidth for each user, the system merges these requests at distribution nodes and delivers content through shared multicast channels, achieving scalable content delivery without linear resource growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multicast transmission to create multiple copies of content segments simultaneously along the network distribution tree. A single content segment transmission is replicated and delivered to multiple distribution nodes and end users at the same time, providing scalable content delivery capacity without requiring proportional increases in source server resources.
3Ease of operation
If content is distributed using unicast transmission, then each user receives content individually, but network resources and servers must scale linearly, increasing operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual unicast transmissions into consolidated multicast transmissions. Distribution nodes identify when multiple users are requesting the same content segment and combine these requests into a single multicast stream, thereby maintaining individualized content delivery service while dramatically reducing network resource consumption and energy usage.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving, at a first level distribution node of a plurality of first level distribution nodes of a hierarchical media distribution system (HMDS), a request for a content item (associated with segments corresponding to a time order) from a first endpoint device. The method includes, in response to receiving the request, sending, from the first level distribution node, a first data stream corresponding to a first segment of the content item to the first endpoint device and sending first information (indicating the request and a first end time of the first data stream) to a second level distribution node of a plurality of second level distribution nodes of the HMDS. The method includes receiving, from the second level distribution node, a second data stream corresponding to a second segment before the first end time has been reached and sending the second data stream to the first endpoint device.