Set-Top Box HLS Chunk Caching for ABR Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional broadcast providers face high costs and complexity in setting up adaptive bit rate (ABR) streaming infrastructure to deliver over-the-top (OTT) services to subscribers via set-top boxes, as they need to transcode existing content and rely on third-party IP providers for internet protocol delivery.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to broadcast multiple streams for each channel at different bitrates, segmentable into chunks, which are received and stored by set-top boxes, allowing for on-demand access to ABR content without relying on third-party IP providers, using a home gateway to buffer and cache content for rapid access by in-home devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional broadcast providers set up ABR streaming infrastructure to deliver OTT services, then service delivery capability is improved, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a home gateway as an intermediary device that receives broadcast content and makes it available to client devices. The gateway acts as a local server, buffering and managing content segments, while the client devices use standard HTTP protocols to request content. This intermediary approach enables ABR streaming functionality without requiring complex infrastructure changes at the broadcast provider side.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates local copies of content segments at the home gateway, storing multiple bitrate versions of video chunks. Instead of requiring the broadcast provider to maintain complex ABR infrastructure, the content is copied to the gateway where it can be served to multiple client devices using simple HTTP protocols, reducing the complexity burden on the provider side.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ABR streaming infrastructure is implemented, then content access flexibility is improved, but acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The home gateway pre-buffers content segments from the broadcast stream, storing multiple chunks of video at different bitrates before they are requested by client devices. This preliminary action allows the gateway to immediately serve content when a client requests it, reducing acquisition time while maintaining the flexibility of ABR streaming.
Solution Approach 2:
The video content is divided into small segments or chunks, with each segment available in multiple bitrate versions. The gateway buffers these segmented chunks locally, allowing clients to quickly acquire individual segments as needed without waiting for the entire content stream, thus reducing acquisition time while maintaining access flexibility.
3Reliability
If third-party IP providers are used for content delivery, then delivery reliability is improved, but subscriber costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The home gateway performs content delivery functions that would otherwise require third-party IP providers. The gateway itself manages buffering, segment management, and HTTP serving of content to client devices. This self-service approach eliminates the need for expensive third-party delivery infrastructure while maintaining reliable content delivery within the home network.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided that broadcasts channels to set top boxes (STB), processes them, and makes them available in ABR streaming format to clients in a home network. The method includes the steps of: transmitting a plurality of streams for each channel broadcast, wherein each stream is at a different bitrate and is segmentable into chunks; receiving the plurality of streams for one or more channels at the STB; and storing a plurality of segmentable chunk durations for each of the plurality of streams for each channel received. In some embodiments, HLS is packaged as MPEG transport without a manifest file, and a set top box (STB) caches HLS chunks for at least the consumer's most viewed channels, reducing acquisition time of those HLS streams. The STB reconstitutes the HLS playlist and chunks for delivery throughout the home.