Streaming Video Server On-Demand Encoding Adaptive Bitrate

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional streaming video servers face challenges in efficiently managing bitrate adjustments and storage requirements, leading to delays and increased server load, especially when handling live and pre-recorded content across varying network conditions.

Innovation Solution

A streaming video server that uses an on-demand encoding process and virtual file system to generate video segments only when needed, with adaptive bitrate control managed on the server side, eliminating client-side bitrate control and reducing storage requirements by generating encryption keys and video segments dynamically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If video segments are pre-encoded and stored at multiple bitrates, then client-side adaptive bitrate switching is enabled, but server storage requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptive bitrate switchingVSAvoidserver storage requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The server performs preliminary actions by pre-processing video content into a single high-quality master encoding and establishing an on-demand encoding system. When client requests arrive, the server dynamically transcodes segments at the required bitrate just-in-time, eliminating the need to pre-store multiple bitrate versions while maintaining adaptive bitrate capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of storing multiple physical copies of video segments at different bitrates, the server creates temporary copies on-demand through software-based transcoding. The encoded segments are generated dynamically in response to client requests and can be delivered immediately without persistent storage requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If client-side bitrate control is implemented, then clients can adapt to network conditions, but network latency and buffering delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork condition adaptationVSAvoidbuffering delays

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the server monitors client device characteristics, network conditions, and playback status in real-time. Based on this feedback, the server proactively selects and delivers segments at appropriate bitrates, anticipating client needs before buffering delays occur. The server adjusts encoding parameters dynamically based on observed network performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allowing clients to control bitrate selection, the invention inverts the control architecture by implementing server-side bitrate management. The server directly controls the encoding and delivery bitrate based on its observation of network conditions and client capabilities, eliminating the need for client-side adaptive logic and reducing buffering delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Speed

If multiple bitrate versions are pre-stored, then immediate playback at any bitrate is possible, but device complexity and processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayback start speedVSAvoidencoding management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the fundamental parameter of video delivery from storing multiple discrete bitrate versions to using a single master encoding with dynamic transcoding. The server adjusts encoding parameters (bitrate, resolution, codec settings) in real-time based on client requirements and network conditions, simplifying storage management while maintaining fast playback capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9124672B2Adaptive video server with data rate control and methods for use therewith

Publication Date: 2015.09.01 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A streaming video server includes a virtual file system that stores playlist data corresponding to a plurality of video programs available from at least one video source and that stores variant playlist data corresponding to each of the plurality of video programs that indicates a single variant for streaming each of the plurality of video programs. The streaming video server receives a request for a selected one of the plurality of video programs from a client device. The selected one of the plurality of video programs is retrieved from the at least one video source in response to the request. A rate generator generates rate data based on the transmission feedback data. A plurality of encoded segments are generated from the selected one of the plurality of video programs, based on rate data.