Media Segment Delineation via Snapshot Server Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanisms for sharing media content are inefficient, limiting users' ability to easily share and distribute media streams, especially live media, due to restrictions on downloading, copying, and licensing issues, and lack of seamless playback across different devices and quality levels.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to identify and share time-delineated video segments by providing marker indicators to a snapshot server, which generates self-contained media files with pre-roll and post-roll advertising, using a fragmented MPEG-4 framework for efficient delivery and playback, and maintaining fragments at different quality levels for caching and seamless client operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users share complete video files through traditional mechanisms, then media distribution is achieved, but sharing efficiency is low and user convenience is limited due to large file sizes and complex sharing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complete video stream into smaller segments based on user-defined time ranges or event markers. Instead of sharing entire video files, users can share specific segments (e.g., interesting moments, highlights), which reduces file size and sharing time while maintaining the core functionality of media distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary portions of the video stream for sharing based on user selections or automated detection. This allows users to share only relevant content (such as specific time intervals or event-based segments) rather than the complete video, improving sharing efficiency and reducing time loss.
2Ease of operation
If users can freely download and copy media content, then sharing capability is improved, but licensing restrictions and copyright protection are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the video stream source and the user's sharing action. The server manages licensing, authentication, and segment generation, allowing users to share content legally through controlled mechanisms while maintaining copyright protection. The server acts as a mediator that enables sharing capability without compromising licensing restrictions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If media is delivered as continuous streams, then playback smoothness is maintained, but adaptability to different devices and quality levels is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous media stream into discrete units (segments) that can be independently delivered and played back. This segmentation enables the system to adapt to different devices and quality levels by allowing selective delivery of segments based on device capabilities, while maintaining playback smoothness through proper segment sequencing and timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation by allowing the media delivery system to adjust segment delivery based on real-time device capabilities and network conditions. The system can dynamically select which segments to deliver and at what quality level, providing versatility across different devices while maintaining smooth playback through coordinated segment delivery.
4Ease of operation
If users manually record media content for sharing, then sharing flexibility is achieved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing the media stream to identify and prepare segments for sharing based on event markers, time ranges, or automated detection. Instead of requiring users to manually record and prepare content, the system proactively segments and prepares media portions that are ready for immediate sharing, significantly reducing user time investment while maintaining sharing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the system to automatically detect, segment, and prepare media content for sharing without requiring manual user intervention. Users can define their preferences (such as time ranges or event types), and the system autonomously processes the media stream to generate shareable segments, eliminating the time-consuming manual recording process while preserving sharing flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Media such as live media streams can be efficiently delineated and distributed to a variety of devices using a number of different mechanisms. A particular media sequence can be identified by a device user to allow a content server or fragment server to generate a media segment that can be shared or distributed using mechanisms such as social networks. A device user may provide marker indicators, time frames, event triggers, etc., that indicate to a content server where a media segment can be delineated. A link to the media segment may be provided along with pre-roll and post-roll targeted or content-specific advertising to a variety of other users.