Local Media Cache with Leader Files for Seamless Playback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic equipment experiences unsatisfactory results when streaming media content due to low quality and interruptions, often caused by insufficient bandwidth and network congestion, limiting user access to new media content.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that cache media content using replacement algorithms, creating partial leader files to store a larger selection of media on the device, allowing for seamless playback by downloading the remaining content in the background, and using weighting criteria to determine which existing content to replace based on age, use, rating, genre, and other factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If media content is streamed to electronic equipment, then variety of media content is improved, but quality and reliability deteriorate due to insufficient bandwidth and network congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by caching media content files in the device's memory before they are needed for playback. The media cache function proactively downloads and stores media files from remote sources, so that when a user selects a file for playback, it is already available locally in high quality without requiring network connection during playback.
Solution Approach 2:
The media file system is segmented into cached media content stored locally in device memory and non-cached media content accessible from remote sources. This segmentation allows the system to differentiate between files that should be played from local storage (ensuring quality and reliability) and files that can be streamed or downloaded on demand (providing variety).
2Reliability
If more media content is stored in device memory, then quality of playback is improved, but available memory is depleted, limiting access to new content
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of storage location by implementing a media cache function that selectively stores media content in device memory based on caching criteria. This allows the system to maintain a curated collection of high-quality locally stored files while providing mechanisms to access additional content through downloading or streaming, effectively managing the trade-off between local storage capacity and content variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates local copies of media content files in the device's memory through the media cache function. These cached copies ensure high-quality playback without consuming all available memory, as the system can selectively cache only certain files based on caching criteria while leaving other memory space available for new content downloads.
3Productivity
If caching replacement rules are implemented, then efficient use of limited memory is improved, but complexity of memory management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes parameters such as file size, playback frequency, and user preferences to determine which media files should be cached in limited device memory. By adjusting these parameters according to caching criteria, the system efficiently manages memory space while maintaining relatively simple management through automated decision-making based on predefined rules.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for providing media content to electronic equipment includes transferring media content to the electronic equipment, and using rules to determine how pre-existing media content and the cached media content are stored in memory when free memory in the electronic equipment is insufficient to store the cached media content. At least part of the transferred media content is cached in memory of the electronic equipment for use at a later time.