SCTE Ad Break Management with Single-Encoding Output Groups

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing streaming technologies face inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for multiple encodings to accommodate different streaming protocols' constraints for inserting secondary content, particularly in live streaming, which can disrupt user experience.

Innovation Solution

A single encoding of content is configured to generate output groups that satisfy the constraints of multiple streaming technologies by using markers for ad insertion opportunities, allowing for both fixed and variable segment durations, and employing a leaky bucket model for GOP partitioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple encodings are performed to accommodate different streaming protocols' constraints for inserting secondary content, then compatibility with various streaming protocols is improved, but processing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with streaming protocolsVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The encoded content is divided into multiple output groups, where each output group is configured to satisfy the specific constraints of different streaming protocols. This segmentation allows the system to provide protocol-specific segment structures (fixed duration for MSS, variable duration for HLS/DASH) from a single encoding, eliminating the need for multiple encodings while maintaining compatibility across protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with streaming protocolsVSAvoidprocessing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A single encoding process is designed to produce multiple output groups that can serve different streaming protocols simultaneously. The encoding system performs multi-functional processing where one encoding operation generates content suitable for both fixed-duration protocols (MSS) and variable-duration protocols (HLS, DASH), eliminating redundant encoding operations and reducing processing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If segments are truncated to align secondary content markers and segments for variable duration, then ad insertion compatibility is improved, but segment structure consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvead insertion compatibilityVSAvoidsegment structure consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different segment structure characteristics to different output groups based on the target streaming protocol. For protocols requiring fixed duration (MSS), segments maintain consistent duration. For protocols allowing variable duration (HLS, DASH), segments are truncated at ad insertion points to enable secondary content placement. This local adaptation of segment properties enables protocol-specific optimization without compromising overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12363398B1Management of SCTE and contents in ad breaks for compatibility

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

Methods and apparatus are described for delivering streams of media content in ways that maintain compatibility among different streaming protocols for inserting secondary content into the streams of media content. This is accomplished by encoding media content the same for each streaming protocol but generating different output groups based on each streaming protocol.