Video Workflow Automation Platform for Scalable Live Event Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems for webcasting large events require numerous human operators to manage video feed workflows, leading to scalability issues, reliability concerns due to human error, and lack of flexibility in resource management and format support.

Innovation Solution

A video workflow automation platform (VWAP) that automatically provisions resources for acquiring, encoding, and publishing live video feeds, enabling dynamic scheduling, encoding, and format conversion without human intervention, using a network architecture with content acquisition, encoding, and publishing resources connected via a video router.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If human operators are used to coordinate video feed workflows, then flexibility in managing individual feeds is maintained, but scalability deteriorates as the number of operators increases proportionally with the number of video feeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in managing video feedsVSAvoidnumber of human operators required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-provisioning of resources through workflow automation. The workflow engine automatically selects and provisions content acquisition resources, encoding resources, and publishing resources without human intervention, allowing the system to manage itself and eliminating the need for human operators to scale with each additional video feed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A workflow automation platform acts as an intermediary between video feed requests and resource provisioning. This automated intermediary coordinates all aspects of video feed management including resource selection, provisioning, routing configuration, and format conversion, replacing human operators while maintaining system flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple human operators coordinate simultaneously, then multiple video feeds can be managed, but reliability deteriorates due to increased human error potential

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of video feeds managedVSAvoiderror rate in workflow coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical system of human coordination with an automated workflow engine that executes predefined processes. This substitution eliminates human error in workflow coordination while maintaining the ability to manage multiple video feeds simultaneously, as the automated system follows consistent, error-free procedures for resource provisioning and feed management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The workflow automation system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and verify each step of the video feed provisioning process. The system automatically detects issues, validates resource configurations, and ensures proper routing setup, providing continuous feedback loops that maintain high reliability across multiple concurrent video feeds without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If preconfigured resources are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability deteriorates as dynamic control over content scheduling and routing is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem configuration simplicityVSAvoiddynamic control over content scheduling and routing

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static preconfigured resources to dynamic resource provisioning. The workflow engine automatically selects appropriate resources based on real-time requirements, dynamically configures routing paths, and adjusts encoding formats according to client device capabilities. This dynamic approach maintains system simplicity through automation while providing full adaptability for content scheduling and routing control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The workflow automation system dynamically changes system parameters including resource allocation, routing configurations, and encoding formats based on workflow requirements and client device characteristics. This parameter adaptation occurs automatically without requiring complex manual reconfiguration, maintaining simplicity while achieving high versatility in content delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Manufacturing precision

If separate encoders are used for each format, then format quality is optimized, but productivity deteriorates due to increased resource requirements and difficulty in scaling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveencoding quality for each formatVSAvoidresource efficiency and scalability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs universal encoding resources that can handle multiple video formats and client device requirements. The workflow engine intelligently routes video feeds to appropriate encoding capabilities and configures output formats based on client device profiles. This multi-functional approach maintains encoding quality for different formats while significantly improving resource efficiency and scalability compared to dedicated encoders for each format.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8918820B2Video workflow automation platform

Publication Date: 2014.12.23 ISTREAMPLANET CO LLC

AI summary

A method and system for a video workflow automation platform (VWAP) is described.