Partial-Hash Media File Caching for Network Traffic Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for delivering media files are inefficient, leading to high network and server traffic, particularly when accessing popular sites with user-generated content, as they do not effectively reduce the amount of data that needs to be transmitted over networks.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for efficient media file delivery using caching, which involves a cache service module that determines the presence of media files by generating a signature from partial ranges of bytes of the file and storing it in a cache, allowing for reduced network traffic and optimized bandwidth usage by adapting the media file to match the client device's structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If media files are delivered directly from remote servers without caching, then network traffic is reduced in terms of data transmission distance, but network and server traffic increases significantly due to repeated requests for popular content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements caching of media files at intermediate servers before they are requested by end users. The cache service proactively stores popular media content in advance, so when users request this content, it can be served from the cache rather than fetching it from the remote server each time. This preliminary action reduces the load on remote servers and decreases network traffic for repeated requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cache service as an intermediary component between end users and remote media servers. This intermediary layer captures and stores popular media content, mediating between user requests and the remote server. The cache service acts as a buffer that reduces direct traffic to remote servers while maintaining fast content delivery to users.
2Speed
If complete media files are cached, then subsequent requests are served faster, but cache memory requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential identifying features of media files for caching purposes. Instead of caching complete media files, the system extracts and caches file signatures, hashes, or metadata that uniquely identify the media content. This extraction approach enables fast identification and retrieval of media files without storing the entire file content in the cache, significantly reducing cache memory requirements while maintaining delivery speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the representation of media files from complete binary content to condensed parameters such as file hashes, signatures, or metadata descriptors. This parameter transformation allows the cache service to store compact representations that occupy minimal space while still enabling unique identification and fast retrieval of the original media files when needed.
3Loss of energy
If media files are cached at intermediate servers, then network traffic is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to cache management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a cache management system that operates autonomously without requiring complex manual configuration or intervention. The cache service automatically monitors media file popularity, identifies which files to cache based on request patterns, manages cache eviction policies, and handles updates. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system complexity by embedding the management logic within the cache service itself rather than requiring external complex control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
To improve the efficiency of media delivery over the Internet, a system and a method are provided for caching remote media files and retrieving cached media files, comprising hardware and software modules as well as steps for storing a remote media file into the cache and retrieving the cached media file based on a signature created by hashing only discrete parts of the media file. The signature is a key for finding the cached media files in the cache upon subsequent requests for the same media file, even if it is received from a different internet location. Media files may be adapted to the characteristics of different media clients, and adapted media files may be equally cached.