Multimedia Stream Segmentation for MAN Bandwidth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Over-the-Top (OTT) service providers face challenges in controlling the quality of service and managing bandwidth due to unmanaged networks and the need for multiple content formats, leading to network overload and limited control over distribution platforms.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for processing multimedia content in a metropolitan area network (MAN) that involves demultiplexing, transforming, segmenting, and storing audio-video streams, allowing selective transmission of data streams based on user requests, and using HTTP Adaptive Streaming protocols to adapt content delivery to varying network conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If OTT service providers use unmanaged networks for content distribution, then service flexibility and customer autonomy are improved, but quality of service control and bandwidth management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a distribution platform as an intermediary component between content sources and receiving terminals. This platform manages bandwidth allocation, prioritizes traffic, and controls quality of service parameters while allowing OTT services to maintain their flexible architecture. The intermediary enables both service flexibility and reliable QoS control to coexist.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each client has its own connection for downloading multimedia content, then content delivery flexibility is improved, but network load and upstream equipment overload deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual content requests into a single audio-video stream that is distributed through the distribution platform. Instead of each client establishing separate connections to download content independently, the platform aggregates requests and delivers a unified stream, significantly reducing upstream network load while maintaining delivery flexibility through selective transmission to requesting terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the audio-video stream into multiple data streams that can be selectively transmitted to different receiving terminals based on their specific requests. This segmentation allows flexible content delivery to multiple clients simultaneously while the upstream network only needs to transmit the single segmented stream, reducing overall network load.
3Adaptability or versatility
If OTT service providers manage multiple versions of content in different formats, then compatibility with various devices is improved, but storage requirements and data management complexity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality transformation by processing and transforming data streams specifically at the distribution platform location. The platform receives a single audio-video stream, segments it into multiple data streams with different characteristics, and transmits only the versions needed by specific terminals. This localized processing reduces the need to store and manage multiple complete content versions, lowering data management complexity while maintaining device compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for processing a multimedia content previously digitally encoded into an audio-video stream and transmitted from a distribution platform for the purposes of on-demand transmission to a plurality of receiving terminals includes the following steps: applying a demultiplexing function to the audio-video stream, said function being arranged to generate at least one group of data streams; applying a transformation to each data stream; segmenting each data stream; storing the at least one group of segmented data streams in a memory; carrying out, only in response to a request issued by a receiving terminal among the plurality of receiving terminals, the following steps: selecting, on the basis of the request, at least one data stream of at least one group of stored data streams; and transmitting the at least one selected data stream to the receiving terminal that issued the request.