WO2016042463A1

WO2016042463A1 - A computer implemented system and method for transferring multimedia content

Info

Publication number: WO2016042463A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/057067
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harshawardhan Hanmant Sabale
Original assignee: P. N. C. Digital Limited
Priority date: 2014-09-15
Filing date: 2015-09-15
Publication date: 2016-03-24
Also published as: AU2015101273A4

Abstract

A computer implemented system and method for transferring multimedia content on user devices such as home television, laptops, tablets, smart phones and the like, is envisaged. A user device requests a content file through a user module. In order to provide the requested content file, the system splits the content file in slivers and creates an index file having an index corresponding to sequence of the slivers. The split slivers are marked with MAC ID of the user device. A content transmitter module then compresses the index file and transmits it to the user module. The user module decompresses the index file and requests marked slivers. The marked slivers are transmitted by the content transmitter module. The user module then checks if the slivers are received according to index. It also requests missing slivers and then plays the slivers/content file on the user device thereby enabling seamless streaming.

Description

A COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING MULTIMEDIA CONTENT

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to transferring multimedia information. DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED IN THE SPECIFICATION

The expression 'ΜΧ used hereinafter in this specification refers to the National Internet Exchange of India which is the neutral meeting point of the ISPs in India and it facilitates exchange of domestic Internet traffic between the peering ISP members.

The expression 'sliver' used hereinafter in this specification refers to a portion/part of a media/ data file.

The expression 'scrubbing' used hereinafter in this specification refers to an interaction in which a user drags a cursor or play-head across a segment of a media file during playback.

The expression 'Storage Area Network (SAN)' used hereinafter in this specification refers to a dedicated network that provides access to consolidated content files. It is primarily used to enhance storage devices, accessible to the system so that the devices appear like locally attached devices.

The expression 'Virtual Machine' used hereinafter in this specification refers to an emulation of a particular computer system. It operates on the computer architecture and functions of a real or hypothetical computer and, its embodiments may involve specialized hardware, software, or a combination of both.

The expression 'GZIP' used hereinafter in this specification refers to a file compression format having fast compression and decompression ratio. It uses less memory and so is ideal for systems with limited memory. The expression 'TRACERT used hereinafter in this specification refers to a command used for displaying a network route/path and measuring transit delays of packets across the network.

These definitions are in addition to those expressed in the art. BACKGROUND

In the past two decades, distribution of music, audios, photographs, videos and films has changed vastly through various standards. Services providing such multimedia content have also increased significantly. With the ever increasing multimedia content, media consumption and numerous content providers, demand by the users for seamless and effective experience of the media sessions without loss and degradation in the quality of content is increasing. There are existing systems that allow transfer of the ongoing media session from one device to another, but usually these systems only allow transfer of a single session from a first device to a second device. Also, the quality of the received multimedia content from such devices varies depending on the network that is being used to transfer the content. Therefore, even though the multimedia content like movies and TV shows is nowadays easily available in streamed formats, the problems related to network/service plans prevent users from viewing/downloading the content without hassles.

Therefore, there is a need for a system and method that limits the aforementioned drawbacks and allows transfer of large multimedia content without compression and quality degradation.

OBJECTS

An object of the system of the present disclosure is to provide a system that does not compress the original multimedia content file and thus maintains the quality of the received content file.

Another object of the system of the present disclosure is to provide a system that facilitates seamless playback of multimedia content. One more object of the system of the present disclosure is to provide a system that does not require cache on the user device for seamless playback of the content file and ease of scrubbing.

Still another object of the system of the present disclosure is to provide a system that continuously traces the user's device that requested the multimedia content in order to transmit the requested content in less number of hops and through the shortest path.

One more object of the system of the present disclosure is to provide a system that maintains track of multimedia content and can re-start its playback from where it was paused/stopped.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a computer implemented system and method for transferring multimedia content. In an embodiment, the system comprises a first repository configured to store a set of rules and a processor configured to cooperate with the first repository to receive the set of rules and generate a set of commands based on the rules. The system further comprises an intransient repository that stores a plurality of multimedia content having a plurality of content files. A content transmitter module is also present in the system which cooperates with the processor and the intransient repository, and is configured to transmit, on request, the stored content files to a user module. In one embodiment, the content transmitter module comprises a request receiver, an extractor, a splitter and sequencer, a sliver marker, an index, a compressor, a path identifier and transceiver, and a first transceiver. The user module is coupled to user devices to provide multimedia transfer and seamless streaming on the user devices. In one embodiment, the user module comprises a second transceiver, a decompressor, a third transceiver, a sliver checker, a sliver requester and a playback module to provide seamless multimedia transfer and streaming.

This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to transferring multimedia content, which is further described below in the detailed description. This summary is neither intended to identify all the essential features of the present disclosure nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

A computer implemented system and method for transferring multimedia content will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates schematic of an embodiment of the system for transferring multimedia content to user devices; and

FIGURE 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c) illustrate the steps involved in transferring and streaming multimedia content.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The system of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing. The embodiment does not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description relates purely to the examples and preferred embodiments of the disclosed system and its suggested applications.

The system herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known parameters and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiment herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiment herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiment herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment herein. When multimedia content is transmitted over a network, the quality of received multimedia content varies depending on the network that is being used to transfer the content. Typically, the network involves multiple hops like routers or network nodes through which the content files travel to reach the destination address/device. These network nodes relay all the content files and other network traffic amongst network links. They examine the network traffic and make decisions based on set rules, to allow or not allow the network traffic to pass. Decisions made by different network nodes are based on different kinds of network traffic. Some nodes in the network try to correct lost or corrupted files/data and some nodes drop such files. This may lead to delays in content transfer and may also cause the transfers to freeze. These problems related to network along with various service plans typically prevent users from viewing/downloading multimedia content without hassles.

The present disclosure provides a computer implemented system for transferring multimedia content. The system splits the multimedia content into a plurality of slivers of pre-determined time length. These slivers are then numbered sequentially and an index file is created based on the sequence. The slivers are then marked with MAC ID and public IP address of a registered user's pre -registered user device on which the multimedia content needs to be transferred for playback. The index file is then compressed and transmitted when a request for multimedia content is received from the user device. Based on successful decompression of the index file, a sliver request is received by the system. The slivers are then transmitted randomly based on the sliver request. These slivers which are then played sequentially, on the user' s user device as per the index file. As the multimedia content is not compressed, the quality of the content is not hampered and, as the slivers are transmitted randomly, the system is able to use variable bitrate and provide high resolution media content even at lower bandwidth.

The disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying non-limiting drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the computer implemented system for transferring multimedia content to user devices. Referring to the accompanying drawings, FIGURE 1 illustrates the schematic of an embodiment of the system 100 for transferring multimedia content to user devices. The system 100 includes a first repository 102 that stores a set of rules and a processor 104 that cooperates with the first repository 102 to generate a set of commands based on the rules. These commands are provided to various modules in the system 100 to achieve multimedia content transfer. The system 100 further includes an intransient repository 106, a content transmitter module 108 and a user module 110. In one embodiment the intransient repository 106 stores a plurality of multimedia content which includes a plurality of content files. This content is pre-stored based on users' interests. In one embodiment, the structure of the intransient repository 106 includes a receiver and a hardware register. The receiver receives a plurality of content files from various sources and the hardware register stores these content files. Content files are stored unless they are explicitly deleted. The content transmitter module 108 present in the system 100 cooperates with the intransient repository 106 to provide the stored content files to a user's user devices based on requests sent through the user devices. The content transmitter module 108 includes a request receiver 108a which receives user requests from users through the user devices for streaming content files on the user devices. On receipt of a user request by the request receiver 108a, an extractor 108b included in the content transmitter module 108 identifies the user device that transmits the user request and extracts MAC ID and public IP address associated to the identified user device. The extractor 108b further crawls through the intransient repository 106 and extracts requested stored content file based on the received user request. In one embodiment, the structure of the extractor 108b includes a receiver, a scheduler, a parser, a crawl manager and an extractor. The receiver receives rules and commands regarding the information to be extracted from the user devices and the intransient repository 106 based on which the scheduler creates a list/ queue to identify which information needs to be extracted first. The parser then parses/splits the information from the user devices/ intransient repository into pieces to allow better searching of the required information. The crawl manager then guides the extractor 108b to crawl through the parsed information and the extractor extracts the required information based on the received commands. The extracted content file is then split into slivers by a splitter and sequencer 108c. In one embodiment, the content file is split such that each sliver is of 2 seconds. The splitter and sequencer 108c also numbers the split slivers sequentially. In one embodiment, the structure of the splitter and sequencer 108c includes a receiver, a determiner, a divider and a sequence provider. The receiver receives the content files to be split, the determiner determines how the content file should be split based on which the divider splits the content file in slivers which are then sequentially numbered by the sequence provider. The split slivers are then marked with the extracted MAC ID and public IP address of the user device by a sliver marker 108d. The slivers are marked so that only the user device that has requested the content file receives the marked slivers. Based on the sequence of the slivers, an index creator 108e present in the content transmitter module 108 creates an index file containing an index having sequence of the slivers. This index file is then compressed by a compressor 108f present in the content transmitter module 108. In one embodiment, the structure of the compressor 108f includes a receiver to receive the index file and a gzip compressor to compress the received file. The system 100 only compresses the index file and does not compress the content file to retain the quality of the content file. This enables the system to provide high resolution content even if available bandwidth is less. Once the index file is compressed, a path identifier and transceiver 108g cooperate with the sliver marker 108d and the compressor 108f to identify a network path and transmit the compressed index file to the identified user device over the identified network path. The transmitted index file is received by the user module 110 which decompresses the index file and transmits a sliver request to content transmitter module 108 for transmitting slivers of the requested content file in response to a successful decompression. The path identifier and transceiver 108g receive this sliver request from the user module 110 and randomly transmit the marked slivers to the identified user device over the identified network path. In one embodiment, the structure of the path identifier and transceiver 108g includes a determiner, a receiver and a transmitter. The determiner determines the network path for transmission and reception. The receiver receives the sliver requests and the transmitter transmits the marked slivers.

The user module 110 is coupled to the user devices to enable seamless transfer of multimedia content on the user devices. It comprises a second transceiver 110a which transmits user requests to the content transmitter module 108 for receiving/ streaming content files. Based on a user request, the content transmitter module 108 first transmits a compressed index file related to the requested content file. This compressed index file is received by the second transceiver 110a and decompressed by a decompressor 110b. In one embodiment, the structure of the decompressor 110b includes a receiver to receive the compressed index file and a gzip decompressor to decompress the received file. On successful decompression, a third transceiver 110c present in the user module 110 transmits a sliver request to the content transmitter module 108 to request slivers related to the requested content file. This sliver request is received by the path identifier and transceiver 108g present in the content transmitter module 108, which then transmit the marked slivers in random order to the user module 110. The third transceiver 110c receives these marked slivers which are then checked by a sliver checker llOd present in the user module 110. The sliver checker llOd continuously checks if a sliver n, a sliver n- 1 previous to sliver n and, a sliver n+1 after sliver n is received corresponding to the index from the index file. If the next sliver to be played (for example, sliver n+1) according to the index file is missing, a sliver requester llOe requests the missing sliver from the content transmitter module 108 by sending a missing slivers request. In one embodiment, the structure of the sliver checker llOd includes a receiver and a comparator. The receiver receives the marked slivers and the index file and the comparator compares the sequence of the received slivers with the sequence in the index file to check if the required slivers are available. In another embodiment, the structure of the sliver requester llOe includes an identifier, a transmitter and a receiver. The identifier identifies if the slivers are missing based on which the transmitter transmits a missing slivers request to the content transmitter module 108 and receives the missing slivers from the content transmitter module 108. A first transceiver 108h present in the content transmitter module 108 receives this missing slivers request and transmits the missing slivers to the sliver requester llOe. The slivers (checked slivers and missing slivers) and the index file are then provided to a playback module llOf to begin playback of the requested content file on the user device. The playback module llOf cooperates with the user devices that have requested the content files to ensure seamless playback of the content file on the user devices. In one embodiment, the structure of the playback module llOf includes a receiver, an identifier and a media player. The receiver receives the slivers and index file, the identifier identifies that correct slivers are received and the media player plays the slivers thus playing the content file. The playback module llOf comprises a sequence checker llOg which checks if the sequence of slivers played is according to the index and if the last sliver played is according to the index. In one embodiment, the structure of the sequence checker llOg includes a comparator to compare the sequence of the slivers played with the sequence in the index file. If the last sliver is not played according to the index a playback checker llOh checks if the playback has ended for any reason or if the user has paused the playback, in case of both the situations, number of the sliver previous to the one when the playback was stopped/paused is stored in the intransient repository 106 against an appropriate user of a user device for future commencement of playback. In one embodiment, the structure of the playback checker llOh includes a receiver and an identifier. The receiver received the index file and the identifier identifies if the playback has ended/ paused based on the sequence of the slivers in the index file. In case the user is forwarding or rewinding the content, a time stamp at which the user stops the playback is stored in a transient repository (not shown in the figure). The sliver number relevant to the stored time stamp is then identified from the index, and the sliver number previous to the identified sliver number is stored in the intransient repository 106 against the appropriate user in order to resume playback starting from that sliver in future. The playback can be continued by the user on same or different user device, thereby enabling multi-screen seamless streaming. The system 100 traces user devices of pre-registered users to transmit content files in fewer hops and through shortest paths.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, FIGURE 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c) illustrate the steps involved in transferring multimedia content on user's device based on received user request. On reception of a content file transfer request from a user 202, the system of the present disclosure captures MAC ID of the user device and public IP of the user 204. A relevant file is then accessed via Virtual Machine from a Storage Area Network (SAN) which is a repository that contains the multimedia content files 206. This content file is then split into slivers having time length of 2 seconds each and the slivers are then sequentially numbered to form an index file containing index of sliver numbers in order of the content file 208. A pointer is then created that indicates position 'n' commencing from sequential sliver number 2 210 and the index file is compressed into GZIP and transmitted to the user device 212. The MAC ID of user's device and public address is fingerprinted on all slivers 214 and sliver number 1, 2 and 3 are transmitted to the user's device for playing 216. For transmission, a TRACERT command is run and a path to user' s device from the SAN is identified using NiXi IP route 218. Network path is then forced to the user' s device 220 through NiXi IP and the slivers are transmitted in random order to the user device over that path 222. At the user's end, the user's device receives the slivers and uses the GZIPped index file to lineup slivers in sequence for playing 224 A check is then performed to confirm if sliver n, n-1 and n+1 are available on the device 226. If any of the slivers are missing, a request is sent to transmit the slivers again 228. When the expected slivers (n, n-1 and n+1) are available on the device, sliver n-1 is played on the user' s device 230 and the sliver number is incremented by 1 232. It is then checked if the last sliver according to index is played 234, if the last sliver is played according to the index, the process stops 236, else, it is checked if the playback has ended for any reason 238. If the playback has ended due to some reason, sliver n-1 is recorded against user ID in database for future commencement of playback 240 and the process ends 242. If the playback has not ended, it is checked is the user had paused the playback 244. If the user has paused the playback, sliver n-1 is recorded against the user ID in database for future commencement of playback and input is awaited from the user to press play (un-pause) 246. When the user un-pauses the playback 248, the process is repeated from step 218 where a path is identified from the SAN to the user. If the user has not pressed pause, it is checked whether the user is forwarding/rewinding the content 250. If the user is not forwarding/rewinding the content, sliver n-1 is deleted from the device 252 and the process is repeated from step 218 where a path is identified from the SAN to the user. If the user is forwarding/rewinding the content file, on completion of scrubbing, a time stamp at which the user stopped is recorded 254. A sliver number from index relevant to time stamp at which the user stopped is identified 256 and a sliver previous to that sliver (n-1) is deleted from the device 258. Sliver n-1 is then set as the sliver number at which the user stopped scrubbing 260. The process is then repeated from step 218 where a path is identified from the SAN to the user for further reception of content files/slivers.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

A computer implemented system and method for transferring multimedia content in accordance with the present disclosure described herein above has several technical advancements including but not limited to the realization of:

• a system that does not compress the original multimedia content file and thus maintains the quality of the received content file;

• a system that facilitates seamless playback of multimedia content;

• a system that does not require cache on the user device for seamless playback of the content file and ease of scrubbing;

• a system that continuously traces the user's device that requested the multimedia content in order to transmit the requested content in less number of hops and through the shortest path; and

• a system that maintains track of the multimedia content and can re-start its playback from where it was paused/ stopped. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A computer implemented system for transferring multimedia content, said system comprising:

a first repository configured to store a set of rules;

a processor configured to cooperate with the first repository to receive the set of rules and generate a set of commands based on said rules;

an intransient repository configured store a plurality of multimedia content having a plurality of content files;

a content transmitter module coupled to the processor and the intransient repository, and configured to transmit, on request, the stored content files to user devices, said content transmitter module comprising:

a request receiver configured to cooperate with the user devices to receive user requests to stream content files on said user devices; an extractor configured to cooperate with the request receiver to identify user devices that transmit the user requests, and extract respective MAC IDs and public IP addresses of the identified user devices, said extractor further configured to cooperate with the intransient repository to extract a requested stored content file based on the received user request;

a splitter and sequencer configured to cooperate with the extractor to receive the extracted content file and further configured to split said extracted content file in slivers, said splitter and sequencer further configured to number the slivers sequentially; a sliver marker configured to cooperate with the splitter and sequencer to receive the slivers and with the extractor to receive the extracted MAC ID and public IP address, and further configured to mark the received slivers with the extracted MAC ID and public IP address; an index creator configured to cooperate with the splitter and sequencer and further configured to create an index file containing an index corresponding to the sequence of numbered slivers;

a compressor configured to cooperate with the index creator to receive the created index file and further configured to compress the index file to obtain a compressed index file;

a path identifier and transceiver configured to cooperate with the sliver marker to receive the marked slivers and the compressor to receive the compressed index file, and further configured to identify a network path and, transmit the compressed index file to the identified user device over the identified network path, said path identifier and transceiver further configured to cooperate with a user module to receive a sliver request and randomly transmit the marked slivers over the identified network path to said identified user device based on said sliver request; and

a first transceiver configured to cooperate with the path identifier and transceiver and the user module to receive a missing slivers request from the identified user device and further configured to transmit the missing slivers over the identified network path to said identified user device based on said missing slivers request; and

the user module coupled to the processor, the content transmitter module and a plurality of user devices, said user module comprising:

a second transceiver coupled to the plurality of user devices and configured to transmit user requests to the content transmitter module for streaming content files, and further configured to receive a compressed index file in response to a requested content file;

a decompressor configured to cooperate with the second transceiver to decompress the received index file; a third transceiver configured to cooperate with the decompressor and transmit a sliver request to the content transmitter module to request slivers related to the requested content file based on a successful decompression, said third transceiver further configured to receive randomly transmitted marked slivers from the content transmitter module based on the transmitted sliver request; a sliver checker configured to cooperate with the third transceiver and the decompressor, to receive the marked slivers and the decompressed index file respectively, and further configured to continuously check if a sliver n, a sliver n-1 previous to sliver n and, a sliver n+1 after sliver n are received corresponding to the index from the index file;

a sliver requester configured to cooperate with the sliver checker to identify missing slivers and transmit missing slivers requests to the content transmitter module, said sliver requester further configured to receive missing slivers from the content transmitter based on the missing slivers request; and

a playback module configured to cooperate with the sliver checker and the sliver requester to play the checked slivers and missing slivers on user devices to provide multimedia transfer and enable seamless playback, said playback module comprising:

a sequence checker configured to check if the sequence of slivers played is according to the index and if the last sliver played is according to the index; and

a playback checker configured to check if the playback has ended or paused, and further configured to associate a corresponding sequence number of a sliver to an appropriate user of a user device in the intransient repository for further commencement of playback.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system is configured to facilitate a first user device to stream a content file, pause the streaming content file and continue streaming the content file from the paused position on a second user device, thereby providing multi-screen seamless streaming.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system is configured to trace user devices of pre -registered users to transmit content files in less hops and through shortest paths.

4. A computer implemented method for transferring multimedia content, said method comprising the following:

storing a set of rules and generating a set of commands based on said rules;

storing, in an intransient repository, a plurality of multimedia content having a plurality of content files;

transmitting, on request, the stored content files to user devices, said step of transmitting the stored content files comprising the following:

receiving user requests to stream content files on said user devices;

identifying user devices that transmit the user requests, and extracting respective MAC IDs and public IP addresses of the identified user devices and further extracting a requested stored content file based on a received user request from the intransient repository;

splitting said extracted content file in slivers and numbering the slivers sequentially;

marking the split slivers with the extracted MAC ID and public IP address; creating an index file containing an index corresponding to the sequence of numbered slivers;

compressing the index file to obtain a compressed index file; identifying a network path and transmitting the compressed index file to the identified user device over the identified network path;

receiving a sliver request and randomly transmitting the marked slivers over the identified network path to said identified user device based on said sliver request; and

receiving a missing slivers request from the identified user device and transmitting the missing slivers over the identified network path to said identified user device based on said missing slivers request;

and

providing seamless multimedia transfer on the user devices, said step of providing seamless multimedia transfer comprising the following:

transmitting user requests from the user devices for streaming content files;

receiving a compressed index file in response to a requested content file;

decompressing the received index file;

transmitting a sliver request to request slivers related to the requested content file based on a successful decompression, and receiving randomly transmitted marked slivers from based on the transmitted sliver request;

checking continuously if a sliver n, a sliver n-1 previous to sliver n and, a sliver n+1 after sliver n are received corresponding to the index from the index file; identifying missing slivers and transmitting missing slivers requests to receive missing slivers from based on the missing slivers request; and

playing the checked slivers and missing slivers on user devices to provide multimedia transfer and enable seamless playback, said step of playing comprises:

checking if the sequence of slivers played is according to the index and if the last sliver played is according to the index; and

checking if the playback has ended or paused, and associating a corresponding sequence number of a sliver to an appropriate user of a user device in the intransient repository for further commencement of playback.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said method includes steps for facilitating a first user device to stream a content file, pause the streaming content file and continue streaming the content file from the paused position on a second user device, thereby providing multi-screen seamless streaming.

6. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said method includes step of tracing user devices of pre- registered users to transmit content files in less hops and through shortest paths.