Redirect Server Service Compatibility for Minimal Clients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices with minimal capabilities, such as browsers or limited-functionality video players, are unable to support advanced services like advertisement impression tracking or content consumption tracking due to their limited functionality.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates a custom index file for devices with minimal capabilities, allowing them to support advanced services through the assistance of a redirect device. This is achieved by inserting encoded information into resource locators in the index file, which identifies the redirect device and allows it to communicate with services on behalf of the client.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a client with minimal capabilities requests content services, then the client can access basic content, but the client cannot support advanced services such as advertisement impression tracking or content consumption tracking
Solution Approach 1:
A redirect server is introduced as an intermediary between the client and the content delivery network. The redirect server receives requests from clients with minimal capabilities, injects service-related information (such as tracking parameters) into the requests, and forwards them to the appropriate content servers. This allows advanced services to be supported without requiring the client itself to have complex functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the redirect server with service information and tracking parameters before the client makes requests. The redirect server is pre-programmed to recognize when to inject service-related data into client requests, eliminating the need for the client to perform complex service management operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If encoded information is inserted into resource locators to enable service tracking, then service support is enhanced, but the processing complexity of the redirect device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The redirect server modifies parameters within resource locators (such as URLs) by injecting service-related information into query strings or path parameters. This parameter injection allows service tracking to be implemented without fundamentally changing the structure of the resource locator system, keeping processing complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The redirect server performs partial action by only modifying the necessary portions of resource locators that require service information injection, rather than completely reconstructing all URLs. This selective modification approach reduces processing overhead while still enabling service support.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a custom index file is generated for clients with minimal capabilities, then service compatibility is improved, but the index file generation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates customized index files with different qualities for different client types. For clients with minimal capabilities, the index file contains simplified references that work with the redirect server. For capable clients, the index file contains direct service information. This local customization approach improves compatibility without requiring a complete redesign of the index file generation system.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for enhancing service compatibility are described. A request for content can be received from a client (e.g., user device). A first resource locator for at least a portion of the content can be encoded with service information. A second resource locator indicating a redirect device can comprise the encoded first resource locator and the service information. The client can request at least the portion of the content from a redirect device using the second resource locator. The redirect device can process the request by decoding the first resource locator and service information and sending the service information to a service. The redirect device can send the first resource locator to the client. The client can request at least the portion of the content from a content device using the first resource locator.