Centralized Virtual Content Store for VOD Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current content distribution systems are inefficient and costly due to the need for multiple independent nodes replicating content storage efforts to deliver Video on Demand (VOD) content, leading to high expenses and inefficiencies as customer bases expand.
Innovation Solution
A virtual content store within an Interactive Services Architecture (ISA) central vault allows for centralized content storage accessible through geographically dispersed regional distribution points, enabling efficient content delivery by creating streamer assets and utilizing caching nodes to reduce traffic and storage duplication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple content stores are deployed geographically proximate to service areas, then content delivery speed and reliability improve, but storage resource duplication and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the content delivery function into two parts: a single centralized content store that holds all content, and multiple distributed edge servers that handle content delivery. This segmentation allows the content store to be consolidated (reducing duplication) while edge servers maintain geographic proximity to subscribers (ensuring delivery reliability).
Solution Approach 2:
Edge servers act as intermediaries between the centralized content store and subscribers. They receive content from the central store and deliver it to subscribers locally, mediating between the need for centralized storage efficiency and distributed delivery performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent nodes replicate content storage, then content availability improves, but infrastructure complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the content storage function into a single centralized content store, eliminating the need for multiple independent nodes to replicate content. This consolidation reduces infrastructure complexity while maintaining content availability through the edge server delivery network.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized content store serves as a universal repository for all content, replacing multiple specialized content stores. This universal store works in conjunction with edge servers to provide content availability across different service areas without requiring separate storage infrastructure at each location.
3Productivity
If content is cached at regional headends, then traffic congestion is reduced and delivery efficiency improves, but storage requirements at regional nodes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by implementing caching selectively at edge servers based on their specific service areas and content access patterns. Each edge server maintains a cache optimized for its local region, storing content that is most relevant to local subscribers rather than duplicating complete content libraries.
Solution Approach 2:
Edge servers implement partial caching rather than complete content replication. They cache only the portions of content that are most frequently accessed or most relevant to their service area, reducing storage requirements while still improving delivery efficiency for cached content.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual content store may be provided. Upon receiving a request for a content stream from a subscriber at a regional headend, a central content vault may be examined to determine whether the content stream is available. Once the content stream is determined to be available in the central content vault, a streaming session may be established to the subscriber from the regional headend. The content stream may be retrieved from the central content vault and provided to the subscriber via the streaming session.