Unified Media Cache Protocol Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network caching systems face inefficiencies due to the need to store and manage multiple copies of media content in different formats for various streaming protocols, leading to increased disk space usage and reduced bandwidth savings, which negatively impacts performance when disk space is limited.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a unified caching system that converts data packets' headers into a single format, allowing a single copy of content to be stored and served in the requested format, regardless of the client's protocol, thereby optimizing disk space and bandwidth utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple copies of media content are stored in different formats for various streaming protocols, then compatibility with different clients is improved, but disk space usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple format copies into a single unified cache storage format. Instead of storing separate copies of media content for different streaming protocols (MMS, RTSP, RTP), the system stores content in a single standardized format and uses protocol conversion to serve different client types, thereby reducing disk space usage while maintaining compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protocol conversion mechanism as an intermediary between the unified cache storage format and different client protocols. The cache server converts stored content into the required protocol format (MMS, RTSP, RTP) when serving clients, eliminating the need for multiple stored copies while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple copies of media content are stored in different formats, then support for various streaming protocols is improved, but bandwidth savings are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple protocol-specific content copies into a single unified cache entry. By storing content only once in a standardized format, the system reduces redundant data transfers and maximizes bandwidth savings, as content is retrieved from cache only once regardless of which protocol the client uses.
Solution Approach 2:
The protocol conversion mechanism acts as an intermediary that translates the unified cache format into different protocol formats (MMS, RTSP, RTP) on-demand. This eliminates the need for multiple bandwidth-consuming protocol-specific copies while maintaining full protocol support.
3Quantity of substance
If disk space is limited, then system resource constraints are addressed, but the ability to cache unique streams is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple protocol-specific stream copies into a single unified cache entry for each unique stream. This consolidation doubles the effective caching capacity, allowing the system to store twice as many unique streams within the same disk space constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified cache storage format serves multiple functions by accommodating different streaming protocols (MMS, RTSP, RTP) through a single standardized structure. This multi-functionality maximizes the number of unique streams that can be cached within limited disk space.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for unified caching of media content are described. The system includes a streaming media protocol engine to receive a request for a data stream in a first format from a client system; a streaming media mass storage subsystem to locate the data stream stored by a cache server in a second format; and a network protocol engine to serve the located data stream to the client system in the first format.