Smart Pre-load for Video-on-Demand in HTTP Adaptive Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional video delivery systems waste bandwidth and storage by autonomously pre-loading digital content to end-user devices without user intent, leading to unnecessary data transfer and storage usage.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determine the network bandwidth of an end-user device and selectively push a predetermined portion of digital content, allowing the remaining portion to be downloaded only after user purchase and playback initiation, utilizing HTTP Adaptive Bitrate Streaming technology to optimize content delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the video delivery system autonomously pushes or pre-loads an entire movie to the end-user device, then the user can watch the movie without waiting for download, but this results in waste of network bandwidth and end-user device storage when the user does not want to watch the movie
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the digital content into two portions: a first portion that is pushed to the end-user device and a second portion that is downloaded only after purchase. This segmentation allows the system to provide immediate playback capability for the first portion while avoiding unnecessary transfer of the entire content, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of playback and bandwidth efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pushing only a portion of the content (first portion) before the user completes the purchase transaction. This preliminary action enables the user to start watching immediately without requiring full content download, thus improving ease of operation while preventing complete content waste.
2Ease of operation
If the video delivery system autonomously pushes or pre-loads an entire movie to the end-user device, then the content is ready for immediate playback, but this results in waste of end-user device storage when the user does not want to watch the movie
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the digital content into a first portion (pushed) and a second portion (downloaded after purchase). This segmentation ensures that only the necessary first portion occupies storage space initially, while the second portion is only downloaded if the user purchases the content, thereby preventing storage waste while maintaining playback capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by storing only the first portion of content on the end-user device before purchase. This preliminary storage action provides immediate playback capability without committing the entire content to storage, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of playback and storage efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If the system pushes a predetermined portion of content based on network bandwidth, then bandwidth is optimized, but the system complexity increases due to bandwidth determination and selective pushing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically determining network bandwidth and selecting appropriate content portions without requiring manual user intervention. The processor autonomously measures bandwidth, selects the first portion size, and manages the pushing operation, thereby achieving bandwidth efficiency while keeping the user interface simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters dynamically by adjusting the size and type of content portions based on measured network bandwidth conditions. The processor modifies pushing parameters (portion size, quality level) according to available bandwidth, achieving efficient bandwidth utilization through parameter adaptation rather than complex system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A system (e.g., video delivery system, a video-on-demand system, a back office system) and a method are described herein for delivering a selected digital content (e.g., movie, musical composition, application, file) via a network connection to an end-user device (e.g., set-top-box, mobile phone/smart phone, computer, laptop computer, tablet, internet-connected television, gateway device, digital video recorder). In addition, an end-user-device and a method are described herein for receiving the digital content over the connection from the video delivery system.