Media File Layout Determination for Random Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face delays and data integrity issues when providing media files as files, as they require the entire file to be available before conversion can begin, leading to time overheads and potential return of false data if read before completion.
Innovation Solution
A method and file system that determine the layout of a media file based on program duration, allowing for the creation of file records and provision of essence data without needing the entire file to be available, using a file record database and data store to manage segment locations and essence data, enabling controlled creation and retrieval of file data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire media file is made available in the file system before conversion, then random access to any piece of data is enabled, but a large time overhead is introduced as conversion can only begin once the entire unconverted file is available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the media file into multiple segments that can be independently processed. Each segment can be converted separately once its data is available, eliminating the requirement to wait for the entire file. The file system provides random access to individual segments while the conversion process operates on completed segments independently, resolving the contradiction between enabling random access and reducing conversion delay.
2Loss of time
If data is read from a file while it is still being written to the file system, then time overhead is reduced, but the file system may return false data or overwrite previously read data
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the media file into independent units with fixed layouts, the patent enables the file system to provide stable, readable segments once they are written, without requiring the entire file to be complete. Each segment's data integrity is maintained independently, allowing safe reading of completed segments while writing continues on other segments, thus reducing time overhead while preserving data reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes the file layout and segment structure in advance, before the actual media data is written. This preliminary structuring allows the file system to allocate fixed positions for each segment, enabling reliable reading of completed segments while the file is still being written. The pre-defined layout ensures that data read from completed segments will not be overwritten, maintaining data integrity while reducing waiting time.
3Productivity
If the conversion process is accelerated by providing additional computing power, then the time for conversion is reduced, but the necessity to wait until the programme has finished remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media file into multiple independent units that can be converted in parallel. With additional computing power, multiple segments can be converted simultaneously rather than sequentially. More importantly, conversion can begin on completed segments immediately without waiting for the entire program to finish, as each segment is independently convertible. This segmentation approach, combined with increased computing resources, eliminates the mandatory wait time while maximizing conversion productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing file data for a media file of a pre-determined format from a file system comprising a file record database and a data store, wherein the media file corresponds to a programme consisting of a plurality of segments, and wherein the segments included in the programme are dynamically determined. The method comprising the steps of receiving details of the programme including the duration of the programme, and determining the layout of the media file in the pre-determined format from the received details of the programme, the layout including locations for essence data within the file. A file record for the media file in the file record database is then created. In response to a request for the location of essence data within the file, a location given by determined layout of the media file is returned. Further, in response to an instruction that a segment is to be included in the programme, essence data corresponding to the contents of the segment is obtained. Then, in response to a request for a portion of essence data from the media file corresponding to a time period of the programme, essence data derived from the received essence data according to the determined layout of the media file is returned.