Segmented Media Stream Repair via Stored Content
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for repairing errors in media streams are inefficient when error rates are high and network or subscriber resources are unavailable for extended periods, leading to inefficient use of network resources and potential disruptions in media delivery.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that ingest a program stream, store it, and distribute the affected portions to clients on a separate channel upon notification of unrecoverable errors, allowing for seamless playback and efficient bandwidth use by providing segmented repair streams that can be delivered at a lower rate and with variable delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional retransmission techniques are used to repair errors in media streams, then error recovery is achieved, but network resources are wasted when error rates are high and resources are unavailable for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media stream into discrete packets or blocks, allowing the system to identify and retransmit only the specific erroneous segments rather than the entire stream. This selective retransmission approach reduces network resource consumption while maintaining effective error recovery for high error rate scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements forward error correction by pre-adding redundancy data to the media stream before transmission. This preliminary action enables the receiver to correct errors without requiring retransmission, thereby improving reliability while avoiding the network resource waste associated with conventional retransmission techniques during extended outages.
2Reliability
If the entire program is retransmitted to address unrecoverable errors, then complete error recovery is achieved, but network resources are used inefficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the media stream into manageable segments or packets, enabling the system to identify which specific segments contain unrecoverable errors and retransmit only those segments. This segmentation approach ensures complete error recovery for affected portions while avoiding the inefficient retransmission of the entire program, thereby improving network resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the receiver notifies the transmitter about erroneous segments through acknowledgment messages or error reports. This feedback enables the transmitter to selectively retransmit only the problematic segments rather than the entire stream, achieving complete error recovery while optimizing network resource allocation.
3Productivity
If segmented repair streams are delivered at lower rate with variable delay, then network load is reduced and resource utilization is improved, but delivery speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by delivering repair information at a reduced rate compared to the original media stream, only transmitting the necessary correction data when errors are detected. This partial delivery approach reduces network load and improves resource utilization while maintaining acceptable delivery speed for the repair function, accepting that repair speed may be lower than original stream speed but eliminating the need for continuous high-speed transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes ingesting a program stream from a program source on a first channel. The method also includes storing the program stream, and receiving notification from a client of unrecoverable error in a stream received at the client. The unrecoverable error corresponds to at least a portion of the stored program stream. The method also includes distributing the corresponding portion of the stored program stream to the client on a second channel in response to the notification.