Unified Transcoding System Resource Pool Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transcoding and storage solutions fail to optimize the utilization of resources and minimize costs across multiple data sources, often focusing on individual data sources rather than considering overall operational costs, storage time, and resource expenses.
Innovation Solution
A method that identifies multiple input data streams from various sources, selects the most cost-effective transcoders to create a transcoding plan that jointly minimizes overall transcoding and storage costs, taking into account transcoding, storage size, and storage time duration, while ensuring quality and resource constraints are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual data sources are processed separately with dedicated transcoders, then each data source can be handled independently, but the overall resource utilization is poor and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data source processing into a unified transcoding system that handles multiple sources simultaneously. The system consolidates transcoder resources into shared pools (video transcoders, audio transcoders, subtitle transcoders) that serve multiple data sources, thereby improving resource utilization while maintaining independent processing capabilities through virtualization and centralized resource management.
2Productivity
If more transcoders are allocated to handle multiple data sources, then processing capacity increases, but overall costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal transcoder resources that can handle multiple data sources and various transcoding tasks. Video transcoders, audio transcoders, and subtitle transcoders are designed as multi-functional units that can process different formats and destinations (live streaming, VOD, archiving) without requiring dedicated hardware for each function, thereby reducing overall quantity of transcoders needed while maintaining high processing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts transcoding parameters such as resolution, bitrate, and format based on destination requirements and source characteristics. By changing parameters rather than allocating more hardware, the system achieves higher processing capacity from the same transcoder pool, reducing the need for additional transcoders and associated costs.
3Volume of stationary object
If storage space is increased to accommodate all data sources, then storage capacity is sufficient, but storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different storage strategies to different data sources and content types based on their specific requirements. Hot storage (fast, expensive) is used for frequently accessed content, while cold storage (slower, cheaper) is used for archiving less frequently accessed content. This localized quality approach ensures sufficient storage capacity while minimizing costs by not using high-performance storage for all data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated lifecycle management that moves data from active storage to archive storage or deletes it based on retention policies and access patterns. This allows the system to maintain sufficient storage capacity for active data while recovering storage space and reducing costs by discarding or archiving older or less accessed data.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of input data streams, from a plurality of data sources, are identified. The input data streams are in a plurality of different formats. For each of the input data streams, one of a plurality of transcoders is selected, to obtain a transcoding plan. Each of the plurality of transcoders has an associated transcoding cost. A potential output for each of the plurality of transcoders has an associated storage cost, and the selecting step includes jointly reducing the overall cost, subject to appropriate constraints. The method can be employed, for example, for designing a new system or efficiently utilizing an existing system. The plurality of streams can be transcoded in accordance with the plan.