Stream Server Transition via Identifier-Based Handoff

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional digital video streaming networks require all active streams to complete or be terminated before a stream server can be taken out of service for maintenance, making it difficult to create windows for maintenance and causing disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A technique for transitioning streamed digital video content between stream servers by identifying a transition identifier, allowing seamless switching from one server to another without redundant streaming or service disruption, enabling dynamic load balancing and maintenance windows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If streams are committed to a stream server for the life of the stream session, then stream stability is maintained, but stream server maintenance and upgrades become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestream stabilityVSAvoidstream server maintenance capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing backup stream servers and pre-configuring transition identifiers before maintenance is needed. This allows the active stream server to be taken offline without disrupting service, as the backup server is already prepared to take over at the identified transition point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A stream controller acts as an intermediary between the active stream server and backup stream server. It manages the transition process by coordinating the handoff of stream sessions, allowing maintenance to proceed without service interruption while maintaining stream stability through controlled transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If all active streams must run to completion or be terminated before taking a stream server out of service, then stream integrity is preserved, but service disruption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestream integrityVSAvoidmaintenance scheduling flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic stream assignment where stream-server associations are not fixed but can change during the stream session. The stream controller dynamically transfers active streams from the active stream server to the backup stream server at optimized transition points, allowing maintenance scheduling without service disruption while preserving stream integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If transition between stream servers is implemented, then maintenance windows become available, but redundant streaming and service disruption may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance window availabilityVSAvoidredundant streaming

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces traditional mechanical stream switching with identifier-based transitions. Instead of physically transferring stream data between servers, the system uses transition identifiers to seamlessly switch client connections to the backup server at predetermined points in the stream content, eliminating redundant streaming while enabling maintenance windows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8145778B2Method and system for transitioning streamed digital video content between stream servers in a digital video network

Publication Date: 2012.03.27 SYNAMEDIA LTD

AI summary

A technique for transitioning streamed digital video content between stream servers involves identifying a transition identifier that indicates a point at which streaming of the digital video content transitions from a first stream server to a second stream server and then transitioning the streaming from the first stream server the second stream server at a point in the digital video content that corresponds to the transition identifier. For example, the first stream server stops streaming the digital video content at a point in the digital video content that corresponds to the transition identifier and the second stream server starts streaming the digital video content at a point in the digital video content that corresponds to the transition identifier.