Multimedia Asset Caching and Pre-fetching System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for accessing and managing large numbers of data items across multiple sources and devices are inefficient, slow, and cumbersome, lacking scalability and transparency, which hinders fast and reliable access to multimedia assets.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for pre-fetching and caching multimedia assets from multiple computing devices, ranking them based on interest levels, and determining the best access path considering bandwidth, quality, and availability, allowing for efficient and seamless access regardless of device status or network performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If data items are stored on remote devices, then storage capacity is increased, but access speed and reliability deteriorate due to network dependencies
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-fetching data items from remote devices and caching them in local memory before they are actually requested. This advance preparation eliminates network dependencies at access time, maintaining both high storage capacity and fast access speed simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a caching system as an intermediary layer between remote storage devices and the user. This mediator stores copies of frequently accessed data items locally, reducing direct network traffic and improving access reliability while preserving the benefits of distributed storage.
2Speed
If data items are cached locally, then access speed is improved, but system complexity increases due to caching management
Solution Approach 1:
The caching system operates autonomously using self-service principles. It automatically monitors data access patterns, determines which items to pre-fetch and cache, manages cache evictions, and updates cached content without requiring manual intervention or complex external management mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring data access patterns and using this information to dynamically adjust caching decisions. This feedback-driven approach simplifies management by allowing the system to self-optimize based on actual usage rather than requiring complex predetermined rules.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sources of data items are supported, then system versatility is improved, but data consistency and access reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The caching system serves as a trusted intermediary that consolidates data from multiple remote sources. By maintaining local copies and managing access to a unified cache, it provides consistent data delivery regardless of the number or status of remote sources, thereby improving reliability while preserving multi-source versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for potential source failures by pre-fetching and caching data items before they are needed. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even if remote sources become unavailable or inconsistent, the cached copies provide reliable access, maintaining data consistency across multiple sources.
4Reliability
If data is pre-fetched and cached, then access reliability is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by selectively pre-fetching only those data items that are likely to be accessed based on monitored patterns, rather than caching everything. This selective approach improves access reliability for predicted items while minimizing unnecessary network bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-fetching strategy is dynamic rather than static. The system continuously adapts its pre-fetching behavior based on changing access patterns, caching aggressiveness, and available network bandwidth conditions. This dynamic adjustment maintains access reliability while optimizing network resource usage according to current system state.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for routing and delivering pre-fetched assets/media, such as a digital image, is provided. The present invention is directed to a system that allows for two digital images to be pre-fetched or otherwise transferred concurrently from two separate source devices to virtually expand the bandwidth and increase the efficiency of the transfer. The system also allows image enhancements to be made in a distributed manner either by a source or destination device, or by both. The invention further provides a method of efficiently delivering multiple versions of a single image to a destination device. An asset ranking system is also provided that takes into consideration the frequency at which the digital image is accessed and the number of source devices that that the digital image is stored within.