Media File Layout Determination for Live Streaming Data Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing file systems face challenges in providing media file data randomly while the file is still being written, leading to delays and potential return of false data, as they require the entire file to be available before conversion can begin, especially in live events where data becomes available in real time.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine the layout of a media file based on the program duration, allowing for the creation of a file record and index before essence data is fully received, enabling the return of essence data as it is streamed in, without needing the entire file to be available, using a file system with a database and data store to manage the media file structure and stream data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire file is required to be available before conversion can begin, then data integrity is ensured, but time overhead increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a file record and determines the layout structure in advance before the entire file is available. By preliminarily establishing the file framework, index structure, and data locations, the system enables conversion to begin as soon as essence data becomes available, without waiting for the complete file, thus reducing time overhead while maintaining data integrity through structured control.
2Loss of time
If data is read from a file while it is still being written, then time overhead is reduced, but false data may be returned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the file into distinct components: a file record containing structural information created in advance, and essence data portions that are written sequentially. The index structure divides the file into manageable segments with predetermined locations, allowing the system to provide data from completed segments while the file is still being written, ensuring data accuracy by only exposing fully written portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary index structure that mediates between the writing process and reading requests. The index acts as a mediator that tracks which portions of the file are complete and ready for reading, preventing direct reading of incomplete data while enabling efficient access to available data without requiring the entire file to be written.
3Productivity
If computing power is increased to reduce conversion time, then conversion speed improves, but the fundamental waiting time remains
Solution Approach 1:
By performing preliminary actions to create the file record and establish the layout structure before conversion begins, the patent eliminates the fundamental waiting time that previously required the entire file to be available. This preliminary setup enables conversion to start immediately when essence data becomes available, addressing the root cause of waiting time rather than merely speeding up the conversion process itself.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention seeks to provide an improved file system that provides essence data for a media file in a way that does not require the contents of the entire file to be available before any file data can be provided. The present invention is reflected in 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. The method comprises 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 is then created in the file record database. In response to a request for the location of essence data within the file, a location given by the determined layout of the media file is returned. Further, a stream of essence data corresponding to the contents of the programme is received and the received essence data is stored in the data store. 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 is returned according to the determined layout of the media file.