Video Stream Switching With In-Memory Buffers for Real-Time Broadcasting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video broadcasting systems require vast computational resources and expensive hardware for real-time video processing, including temporary file storage and limited scalability, which hinders flexibility and efficiency in managing multiple video data streams.
Innovation Solution
A software platform utilizing in-memory ring buffers and data pipes to manage incoming video streams, eliminating the need for temporary file storage and enabling efficient processing with reduced network bandwidth and disk requirements, allowing multiple recorders to run on virtual machines, and supporting cloud-based infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional video switches and separate resources for each data stream are used, then video broadcasting can be achieved, but hardware complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate data stream resources into a single unified video switch. Instead of dedicating separate hardware resources to each data stream, the system consolidates control through one video switch that can handle multiple streams, thereby reducing overall hardware complexity while maintaining reliable video broadcasting capability
Solution Approach 2:
The video switch is designed with multi-functional capability to handle various data stream formats and protocols. This universal switch can process different video formats (e.g., MPEG-2, H.264, H.265) and protocols through a single device, eliminating the need for multiple specialized hardware components
2Productivity
If temporary file storage is used for video processing, then video streams can be managed, but disk space requirements and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temporary file storage step from the video processing pipeline. By using in-memory ring buffers, the system eliminates the need to write video data to temporary files on disk, thereby removing the bottleneck associated with disk I/O operations and reducing disk space requirements while maintaining processing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical disk storage system with an in-memory buffer system. Instead of relying on physical disk writes and reads, the patent uses volatile memory with significantly faster access speeds, substituting the mechanical storage mechanism with an electronic memory-based approach that enhances processing efficiency
3Productivity
If in-memory ring buffers and data pipes are used, then processing efficiency improves and hardware needs are reduced, but memory management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The in-memory ring buffer system is designed to be self-managing, automatically handling buffer allocation, data circulation, and memory reuse. The system self-regulates memory usage by overwriting old data when buffers are full, eliminating the need for complex external memory management intervention while maintaining high processing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The data pipe acts as an intermediary component between the video switch and the processing modules. It simplifies memory management by providing a standardized interface for data flow, abstracting the complexity of in-memory buffer operations and enabling efficient data transfer without requiring complex memory management logic at each processing stage
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple recorders run on virtual machines, then scalability increases and hardware infrastructure can remain static, but virtualization overhead may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic resource allocation through virtualization, allowing multiple recorder instances to share the same physical hardware infrastructure. The virtual machine environment dynamically allocates CPU, memory, and I/O resources based on demand, enabling scalability without proportional increases in physical hardware while managing virtualization overhead through efficient resource scheduling
Data Source
AI summary
Video editing software tools platform utilizing a video display to provide access to specific video editing software tools, such as video oriented applications or widgets, that can assist those in a video broadcasting team, such as a camera operator or video editor, with a video broadcast feed. Various video editing software tools can provide features and functions that can add visual context to video data presented in the image stream from the video camera and provide archived information pertaining to the same. Various embodiments relate to systems and methods for simultaneously switching input image streams to output devices, while providing optional image processing functions on the image streams. Certain embodiments may enable multiple users/viewers to collaboratively control such systems and methods.