Universal Segment Identifier Redirection for Media Playback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Media clients experience errors and resource inefficiencies when transitioning between local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN) due to incorrect segment identifier usage, leading to issues with media content playback and resource conservation.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that allows media clients to use remote segment identifiers regardless of network connection, with LAN devices converting these identifiers to local ones when necessary, ensuring seamless media content access across networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If media clients switch between using local segment identifiers and remote segment identifiers based on network connection, then network adaptability is improved, but device complexity and error rates increase due to identifier switching logic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork adaptabilityVSAvoididentifier switching logic

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes remote segment identifiers universal by enabling them to function in both LAN and WAN contexts. The media client always uses remote segment identifiers regardless of network type, and the LAN access point intelligently redirects these identifiers to local content when available. This eliminates the need for separate local and remote identifier systems and removes complex switching logic from the media client.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The LAN access point acts as an intermediary between the media client and the content delivery network. It receives requests with remote segment identifiers, determines whether local content is available, and either redirects the request to local content or allows it to proceed to the remote CDN. This intermediary handles the complexity of identifier management, keeping the media client simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of moving object

If media clients use incorrect segment identifiers during network transitions, then playback continuity may be maintained, but error rates and resource waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayback continuityVSAvoididentifier correctness

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary redirection setup before media playback begins. The LAN access point pre-configures redirect rules mapping remote segment identifiers to local content identifiers. When the media client starts playback, the correct identifiers are already in place, ensuring both continuity and accuracy without requiring real-time identifier validation during playback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through the LAN access point monitoring network conditions and content availability. When local content is available, the access point redirects requests accordingly; when unavailable or when the client is on WAN, it allows direct CDN access. This feedback mechanism ensures identifier correctness adapts to current network state, maintaining both continuity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If media clients always use remote segment identifiers regardless of network connection, then device complexity is reduced, but network resource efficiency decreases due to redundant CDN requests

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentifier managementVSAvoidnetwork resource efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The LAN access point serves as an intelligent intermediary that intercepts requests using remote segment identifiers. It checks whether the corresponding content is available locally and redirects requests accordingly. This maintains simple media client logic while preventing redundant CDN requests, as the access point blocks unnecessary external traffic and serves content from local storage when available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies local quality optimization by enabling the LAN access point to serve content from local storage when available, rather than always fetching from the remote CDN. This creates a localized content delivery path for LAN-connected clients, reducing network resource consumption while maintaining the simplicity of universal remote identifier usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10462539B2Managing transitions between a local area network and a wide area network during media content playback

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A device may receive a request, associated with media content, that includes a first segment identifier of a first set of segment identifiers that identify a set of remote locations, external from a local area network, from which a first set of segments of the media content are accessible. The device may determine, based on the first segment identifier and redirect information, a second segment identifier of a second set of segment identifiers that identify a set of local locations, internal to the local area network, from which a second set of segments of media content are accessible. The second set of segments may correspond to the first set of segments. The redirect information may indicate that the second segment identifier corresponds to the first segment identifier. The device may request a segment of the media content using the second segment identifier.