Media File System Relationship Graph for Essence Data Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing media file systems lack efficient methods to store and manage media files derived from essence data, particularly in identifying and tracking the relationships between media files, which is crucial for copyright compliance and content usage analysis.

Innovation Solution

A method of storing media files in a media file system that involves associating each media file with a materials data file indicating the essence data it is derived from, and maintaining a file relationship graph to track the relationships between media files based on their essence data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If media files are stored with traditional file record databases, then the system structure is simple, but the ability to efficiently track and query relationships between media files and their essence data sources is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelationship tracking informationVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the media file system into distinct components: traditional file records for basic storage and a new file relationship graph for tracking relationships. This segmentation allows each component to specialize - file records handle simple storage while the graph handles complex relationship tracking, resolving the contradiction by distributing functionality across separate structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The file relationship graph acts as an intermediary structure between the traditional file record database and the essence data stores. It mediates relationship tracking by maintaining parent-child relationships and derivation information without requiring changes to the existing file record structure, thus preserving simplicity while adding relationship tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If clips are created from existing media files using essence data, then storage efficiency is improved, but the ability to identify and manage copyright and usage relationships becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveessence data storageVSAvoidcopyright compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The file relationship graph provides feedback mechanisms by maintaining bidirectional relationships between parent media files and derived clips. When a clip is created from essence data, the graph automatically records the derivation relationship, enabling automatic copyright compliance checking and usage tracking without additional manual intervention, thus ensuring reliability while maintaining storage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-establishing the file relationship graph structure and populating it with relationship information as clips are created. This preliminary tracking of parent-child relationships and essence data sources enables subsequent copyright compliance and usage analysis to be performed efficiently without requiring retrospective data collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If comprehensive relationship tracking is implemented between media files, then copyright compliance and usage analysis are improved, but the system complexity and data management overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecopyright complianceVSAvoiddata management structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The file relationship graph serves multiple functions simultaneously: it tracks parent-child relationships between media files, records essence data derivation sources, enables copyright compliance checking, and supports usage analysis. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate tracking systems, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the relationship tracking functionality with the existing file record database structure by introducing the file relationship graph as an integrated component. Rather than creating entirely separate tracking systems, the graph is combined with the existing database architecture, allowing comprehensive relationship tracking while leveraging existing infrastructure to minimize overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12204582B2Media file systems and methods of storing media files in a media file system

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 GRASS VALLEY LTD

AI summary

A media file system, apparatus, computer program product and method are provided for storing a file relationship graph and media data files. An exemplary method includes obtaining a new media file and determining the one or more portions of essence data from which the new media file is derived. The method further including generating a new materials data file for the new media file indicating the determined one or more portions of essence data. Moreover, storing the new materials data file in the media file system, and updating the file relationship graph using the new materials data file.