Selective Pre-caching of Content Fragments on Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pre-caching methods for wireless communication devices involve caching entire content pieces, which can burden network resources and device memory, especially when content is not consumed, and do not optimize delivery based on varying network conditions.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent pre-caching approach that selectively caches content fragments based on environment data, such as RF environment and network capacity, using machine learning to determine the optimal balance between pre-cached and streamed fragments for immediate playback and efficient resource use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If entire content pieces are pre-cached on wireless communication devices, then content playback can be ensured, but network resources and device memory are burdened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides content into multiple fragments and selectively pre-caches only certain fragments on wireless communication devices. Instead of caching entire content pieces, the system segments content into smaller units and intelligently selects which segments to cache based on various factors including network conditions and user behavior patterns. This segmentation approach reduces the quantity of cached data while ensuring playback reliability for important content portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different caching strategies to different content fragments based on their importance and characteristics. Critical fragments that ensure playback continuity are pre-cached locally on devices, while less critical fragments are streamed on-demand. This local quality differentiation optimizes the balance between playback assurance and resource consumption by caching only where and what is necessary.
2Reliability
If traditional pre-caching methods are used, then content can be available for playback, but resource usage does not optimize based on varying network conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic caching strategies that adapt to varying network conditions. The system continuously monitors network state, user behavior, and content characteristics to adjust which fragments are pre-cached and when. This dynamic approach allows the caching mechanism to respond to changing conditions rather than using static pre-defined caching rules, thereby optimizing resource usage while maintaining content availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system monitors playback performance, network conditions, and user interactions with cached content. This feedback information is used to refine and adjust the pre-caching strategy, improving the system's ability to predict which fragments should be cached under different conditions. The feedback loop enables continuous optimization of the balance between content availability and resource efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of selective pre-caching content fragments is disclosed. The method comprises receiving and analyzing, by an analytics engine, environment data pertaining to a wireless communication device and, based on the analyzing and based on a media presentation response, determining, by a pre-cache manager, an amount of fragments to provide to the wireless communication device for pre-caching to enable playback of the content at a certain quality. The method also comprises selecting, by the pre-cache manager, a subset of fragments of the content based on the determined amount of fragments and sending, by the computer system, the subset of fragments to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device pre-caches the subset of fragments and presents the content using the cached subset of fragments and remaining fragments received from a content delivery network. The method further comprises receiving, by the analytics engine, playback data from the content delivery network.