Playlist-Based Streaming via Standard HTTP Servers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current streaming services require specialized servers and skills, leading to high costs and a limited content library, especially in large-scale deployments, as they typically need dedicated infrastructure for distributing live content.
Innovation Solution
A method using non-streaming protocols like HTTP to deliver streaming content, where a playlist file indicates the type of content (VOD, Live, or Event) with tags like #EXT-X-PLAYLIST-TYPE, allowing clients to optimize playback and update strategies, and supports dynamic updates and bit rate switching using Extended M3U Playlist files with tags like EXT-X-TARGETDURATION and EXT-X-STREAM-INF.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized streaming servers are used to distribute live content, then streaming quality and reliability are improved, but infrastructure cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes standard web servers multi-functional by enabling them to handle both traditional web content delivery and live streaming protocols simultaneously. The server can serve static files, generate dynamic playlists, and stream media content using standard HTTP protocols, eliminating the need for specialized streaming infrastructure while maintaining streaming quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the streaming content into discrete media files organized through playlist files. This segmentation allows standard web servers to deliver streaming content using existing HTTP infrastructure, avoiding the need for specialized streaming server software while maintaining reliable content delivery through proven web server technology.
2Productivity
If specialized streaming servers are deployed at large scale, then streaming capability is improved, but deployment cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By enabling standard web servers to perform streaming functions, the patent allows organizations to leverage existing web server deployments for streaming content. This eliminates the need for separate specialized streaming server infrastructure, significantly reducing deployment costs and operational complexity while maintaining full streaming capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses playlist files that reference media files stored on standard file systems, allowing the same content delivery infrastructure to serve both traditional web content and streaming content. This copying approach enables dual functionality without requiring duplicate specialized hardware or software investments.
3Ease of operation
If playlist files include detailed tags and metadata for content optimization, then playback efficiency and user experience are improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-generates playlist files with all necessary tags, metadata, and media file references before content delivery. This preliminary action includes embedding duration information, bit rate data, and sequencing details in the playlist structure, allowing client devices to efficiently manage playback without complex real-time processing, as all optimization data is prepared in advance.
Data Source
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AI summary
A near real time content streaming system can use a playlist file, in one embodiment, that includes an indicator of the type of content represented by the playlist file. The type can be indicated by a parameter, such as Video on Demand (VOD) or live, or event, that specifies the type of playlist file, and a client device can process the playlist file based upon the type of playlist file indicated by the parameter. For example, the client device, after determining the type of playlist from a playlist file can make efficiency optimizations when processing the playlist file. For example, the client, knowing the playlist file is a VOD playlist, can save the previously used variant playlist when switching to a new variant playlist rather than discarding the previously used variant playlist.