Distributed Object Storage With Tiered Partitions for Low-Latency Media Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing distributed computing systems face significant latency and inefficiencies in transferring and storing media assets due to physical transportation and disparate file storage systems, leading to increased production time and security risks.

Innovation Solution

A distributed global object storage system with a storage controller that manages tiered storage partitions, enabling efficient ingestion, indexing, and secure transfer of content items between geographically dispersed networks, reducing latency by storing portions of content items in local storage proximate to the location where tasks are performed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If media assets are physically transported between geographically dispersed users, then security measures can be implemented, but significant latency and production time are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates digital copies of media assets stored in a distributed cloud storage system with multiple data centers. Instead of physically transporting original media assets, users access secure digital copies through encrypted connections, eliminating physical transport time while maintaining security through cryptographic protection and access controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical transportation with an electronic/digital system. Media assets are transferred electronically through a distributed storage network using standardized protocols, substituting the mechanical act of physical shipping with automated digital transmission that occurs at the speed of light through network infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If vendors use differing file storage and transfer systems, then local storage and transfer capabilities are utilized, but inefficiency and security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocal storage efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal standardized interface layer that works across multiple vendor storage systems. This interface provides consistent security protocols, encryption methods, and transfer mechanisms that function uniformly regardless of the underlying vendor system, enabling local storage efficiency while ensuring reliable security through standardized protection measures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary standardized interface layer between local vendor storage systems and the distributed cloud network. This intermediary translates and standardizes operations from different vendor systems, ensuring consistent security enforcement and efficient data transfer without requiring changes to the underlying vendor infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a centralized repository is used for media asset storage, then vendor transfer services are available, but physical transport latency and vendor dependency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevendor transfer serviceVSAvoidphysical transport time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized repository concept into a distributed network of multiple data centers across different geographic locations. Instead of one centralized storage facility requiring physical transport, the system divides storage capacity across multiple nodes, allowing digital access from any location without physical movement of media assets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-dimensional centralized storage model to a multi-dimensional distributed architecture. Data is replicated across multiple geographic dimensions (different data centers), allowing users to access content from the nearest node without physical transport, adding a spatial distribution dimension to the storage system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3983904B1Distributed global object storage
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 NETFLIX INC
  • EP3983904B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3983904B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3983904B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Various embodiments of the present application set forth a computer-implemented method for accessing data comprising receiving, by a first storage controller at a first spoke network and from an entity remote to the first spoke network, a message identifying a first content item, where the first content item is identified based on a task that is to be performed by accessing the first content item, determining, by the first storage controller, a first storage partition that stores the first content item, where the first storage partition is included in a tiered group of storage partitions accessible by the first spoke network, retrieving, by the first storage controller from the first storage partition, the first content item, and causing, by the first storage controller, the first content item to be transmitted to a second spoke network for storage in a second storage partition accessible by the second spoke network.