Streaming Server Fast Forward Video Indexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for fast forward and backward video playback in streaming servers are inefficient, especially at high scales, as they require transmitting and reading all I-frames, which can exceed storage and network bandwidth limits, leading to low reading efficiency and increased costs per user.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates pre-generated fast forward/backward sequence files and index files, allowing the streaming server to efficiently obtain and transmit video data necessary for different playback scales by mixing I-frames and compensation sequences, optimizing data usage and reducing the need to transmit all I-frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all I-frames are transmitted for fast forward/backward playback, then playback completeness is ensured, but storage requirements and network bandwidth consumption increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary I-frames for fast forward/backward playback by using index information to locate and transmit only those I-frames that are needed for the requested playback scale, rather than transmitting all I-frames from the media file. This selective extraction reduces data volume while maintaining playback completeness for the requested functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing by pre-generating index information that maps playback scales to corresponding I-frames during media file preparation. This preliminary action enables the streaming server to quickly identify and transmit only the necessary I-frames during actual playback requests, avoiding the need to process all frames in real-time.
2Measurement precision
If all I-frames are read from media file for fast forward playback, then playback accuracy is maintained, but reading time and processing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-processing the media file to generate index information that directly maps fast forward/backward playback scales to specific I-frame positions. This preliminary indexing allows the streaming server to immediately locate and read only the necessary I-frames during playback requests, significantly reducing reading time while maintaining playback accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the skipping principle by directly accessing and reading only the specific I-frames needed for the requested playback scale using the pre-generated index information, rather than sequentially reading through all frames in the media file. This rushing through of unnecessary data reduces processing time and cost while maintaining the accuracy of the playback.
3Adaptability or versatility
If high scale fast forward/backward playback is supported, then user experience is improved, but reading efficiency decreases due to excessive data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the set of transmitted I-frames based on the requested playback scale parameter. The streaming server uses the pre-generated index information to identify which I-frames correspond to the requested scale and transmits only those, changing the data transmission parameters to match the playback requirements and thereby improving reading efficiency while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary I-frames for the requested playback scale from the complete media file using pre-generated index information. This selective extraction ensures that high scale fast forward/backward playback is supported with minimal data transmission, maintaining adaptability while significantly improving reading efficiency by avoiding unnecessary data processing.
4Reliability
If streaming server transmits all I-frames for fast forward playback, then playback quality is maintained, but cost per user increases due to excessive resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary I-frames for fast forward playback by using index information to identify and transmit solely those frames required for the requested playback scale. This selective extraction maintains playback quality for the requested functionality while significantly reducing resource consumption, thereby lowering the cost per user through more efficient use of server and network resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing during media file preparation to generate index information that maps playback scales to necessary I-frames. This preliminary action enables the streaming server to later transmit only the required frames during actual playback requests, reducing real-time resource consumption while maintaining playback quality and lowering operational costs.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention disclose a method for fast forward/backward play of video data includes: obtaining fast forward/backward index information that meets a fast forward/backward play request from a pre-generated fast forward/backward sequence index file according to the fast forward/backward play request from a client; and obtaining video data that meets the fast forward/backward play request from a pre-generated fast forward/backward sequence file according to the index information and transmitting the video data to the client via a network. An embodiment of the present invention also discloses a streaming server. With the method and streaming server provided by the present invention, the fast forward/backward video data reading efficiency of the streaming server may be improved.