Self-Contained Video Chunks for Robust Mobile Upload

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Solution Overview

Problem

Uploading large, high bit rate videos from mobile devices to media sharing services is problematic due to unreliable or slow mobile networks, as existing technologies require transmitting entire video files, which can lead to incomplete or failed uploads and prolonged transcoding times.

Innovation Solution

The method involves chunking video files into self-contained segments with associated sample tables, allowing for parallel transmission and transcoding of these chunks, enabling independent processing and retransmission of failed chunks, and allowing for viewing of transcoded sections before all chunks are received.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If entire video files are transmitted over mobile networks, then complete video upload is achieved, but network unreliability and slow speeds cause incomplete or failed uploads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupload reliabilityVSAvoidupload speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The video file is divided into multiple smaller chunks, each with its own sample table. This segmentation allows individual chunks to be transmitted independently over the unreliable mobile network, reducing the impact of network failures on the entire upload process. If one chunk fails, only that specific chunk needs to be retransmitted rather than the entire video file.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If entire video files are transmitted, then complete video is uploaded, but transcoding time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupload completenessVSAvoidtranscoding time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Sample tables are generated and associated with each video chunk during the chunking process itself, rather than waiting until after complete video upload. This preliminary preparation enables the transcoding process to begin on individual chunks as soon as they are received and validated, significantly reducing the overall transcoding time by eliminating the waiting period for complete file reception.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If video files are chunked into self-contained segments, then parallel transmission and transcoding is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetranscoding speedVSAvoidchunking system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each video chunk is made self-contained by embedding its own sample table within the chunk data structure. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex external metadata management systems, as each chunk independently contains all necessary information for its own validation and transcoding processes, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the parallel processing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9484064B2Video chunking for robust, progressive uploading

Publication Date: 2016.11.01 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

Devices and methods are provided herein relating to video chunking for robust, progressive upload. Video can be parsed to determined byte offsets associated with prospective chunk boundaries. Chunks can be generated based on the prospective chunk boundaries and a preferred chunk size. Sample tables can be generated for each chunk. The chunks can be fully self contained, in that they can be received and transcoded independently of other chunks. Thus, if one chunk fails, only that chunk needs to be retransmitted versus the entire video.