Multi-out Media Distribution Server Reducing Encoding Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media distribution systems require multiple servers and encoders to support different client types, leading to redundancy and expense, as they need to handle various container formats and delivery protocols for streaming digital media content.
Innovation Solution
A multi-out distribution server that encodes digital media content in a common format and re-packages it into client-supported formats and protocols, eliminating the need for multiple servers and reducing resource intensity by avoiding transcoding or decoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple servers and encoders are used to support different client types, then client compatibility is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution server is designed to perform multiple functions: it receives encoded media in a working format, determines client type, and re-packages the same encoded media into different container formats and delivery protocols suitable for different client types. This single server replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized servers, achieving universality across different client support requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution server acts as an intermediary between the encoder and various client types. It receives encoded media from the encoder and adapts it to different client requirements through re-packaging. This intermediary role allows the system to support multiple client types without requiring the encoder to produce multiple output formats, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple encoders are used to produce different container formats, then client compatibility is improved, but resource intensity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The media is encoded once into a working container format that can be subsequently re-packaged into different client-specific formats. This preliminary encoding action eliminates the need for multiple encoding operations, reducing computational resources and energy consumption while still supporting multiple container formats through the re-packaging process.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating multiple original encoded versions of the media in different formats, the system creates copies of the encoded media stream and re-packages them into different container formats. This copying approach is resource-efficient because it operates on the already-encoded media data rather than requiring multiple full encoding processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If transcoding is performed for each client type, then format compatibility is improved, but processing time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the encoding operation from the format adaptation process. By separating encoding from re-packaging, the system performs encoding once and then efficiently re-packages the encoded stream for different formats. This extraction eliminates redundant encoding operations that would otherwise be required for each client type, significantly reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of the encoded media stream and applies different container packaging to each copy rather than transcoding each copy. This copying strategy maintains format compatibility while avoiding the time-consuming transcoding process, as the encoded data itself remains unchanged and only the outer container format is adjusted.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-out media delivery system and method are provided herein.