Media Distribution Unit Chunk Storage for Low Latency Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current media distribution systems face challenges in providing low latency for both live and just-in-time video streaming, as conventional packaging schemes and distribution protocols are inefficient in managing multimedia content across non-managed networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for processing media streams using a media distribution unit with a processor and memory configured to store media data chunks at a finer granularity, allowing for direct retrieval and processing of requested chunks, thereby reducing latency and improving low latency support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional packaging schemes store media data in fragments, then the system can handle both live and just-in-time services, but the latency increases when retrieving requested media data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments media data into chunks at a finer granularity level compared to traditional fragments. This segmentation allows the media distribution unit to retrieve only the specific chunks requested by clients, reducing the amount of data that needs to be buffered and processed, thereby decreasing latency while maintaining the ability to handle both live and just-in-time services
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary packaging of media data into chunks with metadata before distribution. This preliminary action organizes the media data in advance, allowing the media distribution unit to quickly locate and retrieve requested chunks without needing to search through larger fragment structures, thus reducing retrieval time and latency
2Speed
If the memory stores media data at a coarser granularity level, then the memory can accommodate more data, but the retrieval speed for requested media data decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides media data into smaller chunks with finer granularity in the memory structure. This segmentation increases retrieval speed because the media distribution unit can quickly identify and access specific chunks without scanning through larger data units, while the overall memory capacity remains sufficient to store the complete media stream for both live and just-in-time services
3Loss of time
If the system uses traditional just-in-time packaging, then the packaging operation is simpler, but the end-to-end latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs packaging operations in advance by pre-segmenting media data into chunks and generating metadata before the actual distribution. This preliminary packaging, combined with the finer granularity storage structure, enables the system to maintain low end-to-end latency while the packaging operation remains relatively simple since it follows a consistent chunk-based approach rather than complex fragment重组 operations
Data Source
AI summary
A method for processing a media stream is proposed, which includes, at a media distribution unit including a processor: obtaining, based on media stream data received from a media encoder, at least one media data chunk of the media stream, wherein the at least one media data chunk is a separately addressable data unit by a request for media data received by the media distribution unit; generating, based on received media stream data, metadata related to the media data chunk; storing the media data chunk in a memory of the media distribution unit, wherein the memory is used to store media data chunks as separately addressable data units for a memory read from the memory; and updating a list of media data chunks stored in the memory, based on the metadata related to the media data chunk.