Metadata File Update Timing for Streaming Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
In HTTP-based streaming services, user equipment struggles to accurately determine the update time for metadata files, leading to improper updates and disruptions in streaming services, especially for live programs where end times are uncertain.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating information about the duration of media presentation into metadata files, allowing user equipment to determine the optimal update time based on included metadata, ensuring timely and accurate updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the metadata file update period is set to a large value, then the update frequency is reduced and system resource consumption decreases, but information about media presentation is lost and streaming service normality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic update period adjustment based on playback progress. The update period is not fixed but changes according to the current playback position and total duration, allowing the system to optimize between resource consumption and information completeness by adapting the update frequency to the actual playback state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the update period parameter dynamically based on playback progress ratio. By calculating the ratio of current playback progress to total duration, the system adjusts the update period to ensure that critical media information is captured while avoiding excessive updates that would waste resources
2Reliability
If the metadata file update period is set to a small value, then information completeness is improved and streaming service normality is maintained, but update frequency increases and system resource consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the update period based on real-time playback progress, transitioning from frequent updates at early stages to less frequent updates as playback progresses, thereby maintaining service reliability while reducing overall resource consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial updating strategy where not all media information needs to be captured at every update point. By updating based on progress ratios and selecting representative sample points, the system achieves adequate information coverage without performing excessive updates
3Ease of operation
If periodic updating is used without duration information, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but accurate update time determination is impossible and service disruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the playback progress information is continuously monitored and fed back to the update decision module. This feedback loop enables the system to determine optimal update times based on actual playback state rather than relying solely on predetermined periodic intervals
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculation of update time points based on total media duration and expected playback rate. By pre-calculating optimal update moments and comparing them with actual playback progress, the system ensures timely updates without requiring complex real-time analysis
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method, an apparatus, and a system for updating a metadata file. The method include: sending a message to a server on a network side to request a metadata file corresponding to media presentation; receiving a metadata file returned by the server according to the message that requests the metadata file corresponding to the media presentation, where the metadata file includes information about duration of a part of described media presentation; determining update time of the metadata file according to the information about the duration of the part of described media presentation; and sending a request for updating the metadata file to the server according to the update time.