Dynamic VOD Channel Allocation via Trickle Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video on demand (VOD) systems face bandwidth inefficiencies due to unicast streaming, which consumes excessive network resources, and multicast streaming limits flexibility by requiring subscribers to watch content at set intervals, undermining the 'on demand' aspect.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic VOD channel allocation system that streams multicast channels only when requested by subscribers, using a trickle server to slowly deliver video content segments, allowing for efficient bandwidth use and true on-demand viewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If unicast video streaming is used to deliver VOD content to subscribers, then each subscriber can watch content at any time (true on-demand), but network bandwidth is dramatically reduced when multiple subscribers request video content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines unicast and multicast approaches by using unicast to deliver video segments to a cache server, then using multicast to distribute those segments to multiple subscribers simultaneously. This hybrid approach maintains on-demand flexibility while reducing bandwidth consumption through segment sharing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides video content into smaller segments that can be cached and distributed independently. By segmenting the video stream, the system can serve multiple subscribers with the same segment via multicast, reducing overall bandwidth usage while maintaining on-demand access.
2Loss of energy
If multicast video streaming is used to deliver VOD content to multiple subscribers, then network bandwidth is reduced by streaming one copy to multiple subscribers, but subscribers must watch content at set intervals which undermines the on-demand aspect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic channel allocation where multicast channels are created on-demand based on subscriber requests. The system dynamically determines which video segments to multicast and to which subscribers, allowing flexible on-demand access while efficiently utilizing bandwidth through selective multicast distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cache server as an intermediary between the content source and subscribers. The cache server receives unicast streams, caches video segments, and then distributes them via multicast to subscribers, enabling on-demand access while reducing network bandwidth consumption.
3Productivity
If multiple copies of the same video content are streamed through the network at various intervals, then the number of video streams is limited and bandwidth is managed, but a substantial amount of bandwidth is still consumed by typical multicast VOD systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by only multicasting video segments that are actually requested by subscribers, rather than continuously streaming all video content. This selective approach reduces bandwidth consumption while maintaining efficient stream management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a caching mechanism where video segments are temporarily stored and reused for multiple subscribers. By caching and reusing segments, the system reduces the need for continuous bandwidth allocation while maintaining efficient video stream management.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for delivering video content over a network in communication with a subscriber having an associated electronic device is disclosed. A network server is provided and is configured to transmit a plurality of multicast streams of video content over the network. A scheduled start time for the transmission of a first stream of the multicast streams is assigned. A request for the video content is received at a first time, which is after said scheduled start time and the request is the first request for the video content received by the network server after the scheduled start time. The first stream is transmitted over the network only after the request.