Shared Stream Thumbnails With Sync Mapping for CDN Caching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media streaming systems face inefficiencies in generating and delivering unique thumbnails for non-live streaming sessions, leading to increased processing and storage requirements, and reduced CDN caching efficiency due to the need for unique URLs and payloads for each user.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for generating common thumbnails per content source, pre-generating thumbnails for a live stream with synchronized naming and indexing, and delivering them across multiple streaming sessions using thumbnail synchronization information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If unique thumbnails are delivered to each end-user for non-live streaming, then accurate thumbnail representation for each user's playback position is achieved, but CDN caching efficiency is eliminated and unnecessary processing is performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thumbnail delivery system into two parts: (1) a single set of common thumbnails pre-generated for the content source, and (2) session-specific synchronization information. This segmentation allows multiple users to share the same thumbnail set while maintaining individualized playback position accuracy through synchronization data, resolving the contradiction between unique representation and caching efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thumbnail synchronization information as an intermediary between the common thumbnail set and individual user requests. This intermediary contains mapping data that translates user-specific playback positions into corresponding common thumbnail indices, enabling accurate representation without requiring unique thumbnails for each user, thus maintaining CDN caching efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If unique thumbnails are generated for each end-user, then accurate playback position representation is achieved, but processing resources and storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal set of common thumbnails that serves multiple users simultaneously. Instead of generating separate thumbnails for each user, the system generates one set of thumbnails that can be shared across all users, with session-specific synchronization information providing the necessary customization. This multi-functionality dramatically reduces storage and processing resources while maintaining accurate playback position representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-generating the common thumbnail set before actual user playback occurs. These pre-generated thumbnails are stored and made available for sharing across multiple sessions. When users request playback, the system only needs to retrieve and deliver the pre-generated thumbnails along with synchronization information, eliminating the need for real-time thumbnail generation for each user and significantly reducing processing and storage requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If unique thumbnails are delivered to each user, then individualized playback experience is achieved, but additional storage and processing are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating a single master set of common thumbnails that can be copied and shared across multiple user sessions. Instead of creating unique thumbnails for each user, the system copies the same thumbnail set to all users and uses synchronization information to ensure the correct thumbnail is delivered for each user's playback position. This copying approach maintains individualized playback experience while reducing storage and processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, and systems for providing common thumbnails per content source for use across multiple streaming sessions. A method for common thumbnails usage includes pre-generating, by a linear packager, thumbnails for a live stream from a content source, wherein each thumbnail has a thumbnail time and name, sending, by a streaming system, thumbnail synchronization information associated with the thumbnails in response to a stream request received from a client for the content source, and sending, by the streaming system to the client, a requested thumbnail during the stream, wherein the requested thumbnail is selected from the thumbnails using a name based on the thumbnail synchronization information.