Adaptive Bitrate Video Session Tracking via Manifest Identifier Embedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for uniquely tracking video user sessions in adaptive bitrate video delivery are ineffective, particularly when client-side cookies are not supported and when devices operate behind proxy servers or network address translation servers.
Innovation Solution
Embedding a unique identifier in multiple links within a manifest, which is then removed from client-selected links, allowing for unique user session tracking without relying on client-side cookies and functioning with multi-bitrate video content, even behind proxy servers or network address translation servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If client-side cookies are used for tracking, then user session tracking is possible, but it fails when cookies are not supported or disabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a manifest file as an intermediary carrier that transports unique session identifiers from the server to the client. Instead of relying on client-side cookies, the system embeds tracking identifiers within the video manifest structure, allowing the server to maintain tracking capability through server-side manifest generation and modification rather than client-side storage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional tracking approach by moving the unique identifier storage from client-side (cookies) to server-side (manifest files). The server generates and manages the tracking identifiers within the manifest, reversing the conventional model where clients store and manage their own tracking data
2Ease of manufacture
If source address tracking is used, then implementation is simple, but it cannot uniquely identify users behind proxy servers or NAT
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking identifier into multiple components distributed across different manifest links. Instead of relying on a single source address, the system creates unique identifiers that are embedded across multiple URL parameters and manifest elements, allowing precise user identification even when network address translation occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from tracking based on network layer information (source IP addresses) to application layer information (manifest-linked identifiers). By embedding unique identifiers within the video manifest structure rather than relying on network addresses, the system achieves precise user identification independent of proxy servers or NAT configurations
3Reliability
If unique identifiers are embedded in all manifest links, then user tracking is enabled, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by embedding unique identifiers in only the critical manifest links that are essential for tracking, rather than uniformly adding identifiers to all possible URLs. The system selectively modifies manifest elements based on their tracking importance, reducing overall bandwidth overhead while maintaining effective user session identification
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus having a device of a user and a computer is disclosed. The computer may be configured to (i) transfer a manifest to the device in response to a viewing session being opened. The manifest generally has a plurality of modified links to a plurality of bitrates of a video content. Each one of the modified links may include an identifier that is unique to the viewing session. The computer may also be configured to (ii) receive a particular one of the modified links from the device, (iii) log a presence of the viewing session, and (iv) generate a request by removing the identifier from the particular modified link.