Network PVR Adaptive Bitrate Streaming via Hash-Based Filename Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current adaptive HTTP streaming technologies face challenges in managing client access to shared network storage for recorded video content, particularly in ensuring that users can only access content they have recorded, and in adapting video quality to varying bandwidth conditions during playback.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent network infrastructure uses protocols like IGMPv3 to identify user apparatuses receiving video content and transmit filenames for chunks at different quality levels, allowing users to access multiple qualities of recorded content based on current bandwidth, while preventing unauthorized access by deriving filenames from the video content itself.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If chunk filenames are transmitted to PVR for accessing recorded content, then users can access their recorded video content, but unauthorized users may guess and access other users' content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cryptographic hash function as an intermediary between the video content and the filename. Instead of directly using or transmitting the actual chunk filenames, the system transmits hash values derived from the filenames. This intermediary mechanism allows the PVR to retrieve content by matching hash values without exposing the actual filenames, thus preventing unauthorized access while maintaining ease of content retrieval.
2Quantity of substance
If a PVR records video content at one quality level, then storage space is utilized, but the PVR cannot access other quality levels of the same content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by transmitting filenames (or hash values representing filenames) for video chunks at multiple quality levels to the PVR in advance, during the recording process. When playback occurs, the PVR can select from the pre-provided filenames corresponding to different quality levels, enabling adaptive bitrate streaming without requiring additional recording actions. This resolves the contradiction by preparing multiple quality options upfront while maintaining efficient storage utilization.
3Quantity of substance
If shared network storage is implemented, then storage efficiency improves, but managing client access becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling each PVR to autonomously retrieve its recorded content from shared network storage using hash-based filename matching. The system does not require complex centralized access management or authentication protocols for each file access. Instead, the PVR independently generates or matches hash values against stored content identifiers, allowing efficient shared storage utilization while keeping access management simple and decentralized.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method for transmitting video content, the video content available for transmission in a plurality of quality levels. The method comprises identifying a user apparatus that has received a particular chunk of video content at a first quality level. The method further comprises transmitting to the identified user apparatus the filename for a chunk of video content corresponding to the particular chunk but at a second quality level.