Encoding multi-media content for a centralized digital video storage system

• US 9,413,393 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2014
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pure Storage, Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Grube, Gary W., Markison, Timothy W., Gladwin, S. Christopher, Abhijeet, Kumar, Dhuse, Greg, Resch, Jason K.
• Primary Examiner(s): MENGESHA, MULUGETA A
• Application Number:
  US14/333,968
• Publication Number:
  US 20140331103A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1076 Parity data used in redundant arrays of independent storages, e.g. in RAID systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1083 Partial license transfers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2107 File encryption
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2151 Time stamp
• CPC Class Codes: H03M 13/35 Unequal or adaptive error protection, e.g. by providing a different level of protection according to significance of source information or by adapting the coding according to the change of transmission channel characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/60 Digital content management, e.g. content distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/764 at the destination reformatting of additional data in video clients H04N21/4355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/085 Secret sharing or secret splitting, e.g. threshold schemes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0894 Escrow, recovery or storing of secret information, e.g. secret key escrow or cryptographic key storage
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2181 comprising remotely distributed storage units, e.g. when movies are replicated over a plurality of video servers distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS], H04L67/1097
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23116 involving data replication, e.g. over plural servers synchronization of replicated data G06F11/1658; error detection or correction by means of data replication G06F11/2053; replication in distributed file systems G06F16/10; replication in distributed file systems G06F16/27; replication or mirroring of data in data networks H04L67/1095
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/232 Content retrieval operation locally within server, e.g. reading video streams from disk arrays storage management G06F3/0604; details of querying and searching of video data from a database G06F16/739

Abstract

A method begins with a processing module of a centralized digital video storage (DVS) system regarding recording of multi-media content that is to be broadcast at a particular broadcast time, determining a number of subscriber devices that have selected to record the multi-media content. At the particular broadcast time, the method continues with the processing module receiving the multi-media content as it is being broadcast. When the number of subscriber devices is less than a first value, the method continues with the processing module encoding the multi-media content using first level encoding parameters to produce sets of first level encoded data slices for storage. When the number of subscriber devices is equal to or greater than the first value, the method continues with the processing module encoding the multi-media content using second level encoding parameters to produce sets of second level encoded data slices for storage.

Claims

1. A method for execution by one or more computing devices of a centralized digital video storage (DVS) system regarding recording of broadcast multi-media content that is to be broadcast at a particular broadcast time, the method comprises:

determining a number of subscriber devices that have selected to record the multi-media content prior to the particular broadcast time, wherein the number of subscriber devices includes zero or more subscriber devices; and

at the particular broadcast time;

receiving the multi-media content as it is being broadcast;

when the number of subscriber devices is less than a first value;

dispersed storage error encoding data segments of the multi-media content using first level encoding parameters to produce sets of first level encoded data slices, wherein one of the data segments is encoded to generate one set of the sets of first level encoded data slices; and

storing the sets of first level encoded data slices in a first set of storage units of the centralized DVS system; and

when the number of subscriber devices is equal to or greater than the first value;

dispersed storage error encoding the data segments of the multi-media content using second level encoding parameters to produce sets of second level encoded data slices, wherein one of the data segments is encoded to generate one set of the sets of second level encoded data slices, wherein the second level encoding parameters provides a greater combination of decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment than the first level encoding parameters; and

storing the sets of second level encoded data slices in a second set of storage units of the centralized DVS system.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprises:

updating the number of subscriber devices during the broadcast of the multi-media content to include subscriber devices that requested recording of the multi-media content during the broadcast of the multi-media content to produce an updated number of subscriber devices; and

when the number of subscriber devices is less than the first value and the updated number of subscriber devices is equal to or greater than the first value, dispersed storage error encoding remaining data segments of the multi-media content using the second level encoding parameters.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprises:

when the number of subscriber devices is less than the first value and the updated number of subscriber devices is equal to or greater than the first value, re-encoding the data segments that were encoded using the first level encoding parameters using the second level encoding parameters.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprises:

assigning unique retrieval combinations of encoded data slices to the subscriber devices for enabling playback of a unique copy of the multi-media content.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprises:

after the broadcast of the multi-media content and prior to expiration of a record enable time period, updating the number of subscriber devices to include subscriber devices that requested recording of the multi-media content to produce an updated number of subscriber devices; and

when the number of subscriber devices is less than the first value and the updated number of subscriber devices is equal to or greater than the first value, re-encoding the data segments of the multi-media content using the second level encoding parameters.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprises:

when the number of subscriber devices is equal to or greater than a second value, wherein the second value is greater than the first value;

dispersed storage error encoding the data segments of the multi-media content using third level encoding parameters to produce sets of third level encoded data slices, wherein one of the data segments is encoded to generate one set of the sets of third level encoded data slices, wherein the third level encoding parameters provides a greater combination of decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment than the second level encoding parameters; and

storing the sets of third level encoded data slices in a third set of storage units of the centralized DVS system.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprises:

the first level encoding parameters includes a first pillar width number and a first decode threshold number to provide a first plurality of combinations of a first decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment; and

the second level encoding parameters includes a second pillar width number and a second decode threshold number to provide a second plurality of combinations of a second decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprises:

when a number of subscriber units is zero;

dispersed storage error encoding the data segments of the multi-media content using default level encoding parameters to produce sets of default level encoded data slices, wherein one of the data segments is encoded to generate one set of the sets of default level encoded data slices, wherein the default level encoding parameters provides a lesser combination of decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment than the first level encoding parameters; and

storing the sets of default level encoded data slices in storage units of the centralized DVS system.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprises:

when a record enable time period expires and the number of subscriber units that have selected to record the multi-media content prior is zero, deleting the sets of default level encoded data slices from the storage units.

10. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprises:

at least one memory section that stores operational instructions that, when executed by one or more processing modules of one or more computing devices of a centralized digital video storage (DVS) system regarding recording of multi-media content that is to be broadcast at a particular broadcast time, causes the one or more computing devices to;

determine a number of subscriber devices that have selected to record the multi-media content prior to the particular broadcast time, wherein the number of subscriber devices includes zero or more subscriber devices; and

at the particular broadcast time;

receive the multi-media content as it is being broadcast;

when the number of subscriber devices is less than a first value;

dispersed storage error encode data segments of the multi-media content using first level encoding parameters to produce sets of first level encoded data slices, wherein one of the data segments is encoded to generate one set of the sets of first level encoded data slices; and

store the sets of first level encoded data slices in a first set of storage units of the centralized DVS system; and

when the number of subscriber devices is equal to or greater than the first value;

dispersed storage error encode the data segments of the multi-media content using second level encoding parameters to produce sets of second level encoded data slices, wherein one of the data segments is encoded to generate one set of the sets of second level encoded data slices, wherein the second level encoding parameters provides a greater combination of decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment than the first level encoding parameters; and

store the sets of second level encoded data slices in a second set of storage units of the centralized DVS system.

11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 10 further comprises:

the at least one memory section stores further operational instructions that, when executed by the one or more processing modules, causes the one or more computing devices of the centralized DVS system to;

update the number of subscriber devices during the broadcast of the multi-media content to include subscriber devices that requested recording of the multi-media content during the broadcast of the multi-media content to produce an updated number of subscriber devices; and

when the number of subscriber devices is less than the first value and the updated number of subscriber devices is equal to or greater than the first value, dispersed storage error encode remaining data segments of the multi-media content using the second level encoding parameters.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 further comprises:

the at least one memory section stores further operational instructions that, when executed by the one or more processing modules, causes the one or more computing devices of the centralized DVS system to;

when the number of subscriber devices is less than the first value and the updated number of subscriber devices is equal to or greater than the first value, re-encode the data segments that were encoded using the first level encoding parameters using the second level encoding parameters.

13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 10 further comprises:

the at least one memory section stores further operational instructions that, when executed by the one or more processing modules, causes the one or more computing devices of the centralized DVS system to;

assign unique retrieval combinations of encoded data slices to the subscriber devices for enabling playback of a unique copy of the multi-media content.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 10 further comprises:

the at least one memory section stores further operational instructions that, when executed by the one or more processing modules, causes the one or more computing devices of the centralized DVS system to;

after the broadcast of the multi-media content and prior to expiration of a record enable time period, update the number of subscriber devices to include subscriber devices that requested recording of the multi-media content to produce an updated number of subscriber devices; and

when the number of subscriber devices is less than the first value and the updated number of subscriber devices is equal to or greater than the first value, re-encode the data segments of the multi-media content using the second level encoding parameters.

15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 10 further comprises:

the at least one memory section stores further operational instructions that, when executed by the one or more processing modules, causes the one or more computing devices of the centralized DVS system to;

when the number of subscriber devices is equal to or greater than a second value, wherein the second value is greater than the first value;

dispersed storage error encode the data segments of the multi-media content using third level encoding parameters to produce sets of third level encoded data slices, wherein one of the data segments is encoded to generate one set of the sets of third level encoded data slices, wherein the third level encoding parameters provides a greater combination of decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment than the second level encoding parameters; and

store the sets of third level encoded data slices in a third set of storage units of the centralized DVS system.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 10 further comprises:

the first level encoding parameters includes a first pillar width number and a first decode threshold number to provide a first plurality of combinations of a first decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment; and

the second level encoding parameters includes a second pillar width number and a second decode threshold number to provide a second plurality of combinations of a second decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 10 further comprises:

the at least one memory section stores further operational instructions that, when executed by the one or more processing modules, causes the one or more computing devices of the centralized DVS system to;

when a number of subscriber units is zero;

dispersed storage error encode the data segments of the multi-media content using default level encoding parameters to produce sets of default level encoded data slices, wherein one of the data segments is encoded to generate one set of the sets of default level encoded data slices, wherein the default level encoding parameters provides a lesser combination of decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment than the first level encoding parameters; and

store the sets of default level encoded data slices in storage units of the centralized DVS system.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17 further comprises:

the at least one memory section stores further operational instructions that, when executed by the one or more processing modules, causes the one or more computing devices of the centralized DVS system to;

when a record enable time period expires and the number of subscriber units that have selected to record the multi-media content prior is zero, delete the sets of default level encoded data slices from the storage units.

19. A computing device of a centralized digital video storage (DVS) system regarding recording of multi-media content that is to be broadcast at a particular broadcast time, the computing device comprises:

an interface; and

a processing module operably coupled to the interface, wherein the processing module is operable to;

determine a number of subscriber devices that have selected to record the multi-media content prior to the particular broadcast time, wherein the number of subscriber devices includes zero or more subscriber devices; and

at the particular broadcast time;

receive, via the interface, the multi-media content as it is being broadcast;

when the number of subscriber devices is less than a first value;

dispersed storage error encode data segments of the multi-media content using first level encoding parameters to produce sets of first level encoded data slices, wherein one of the data segments is encoded to generate one set of the sets of first level encoded data slices; and

store, via the interface, the sets of first level encoded data slices in a first set of storage units of the centralized DVS system; and

when the number of subscriber devices is equal to or greater than the first value;

dispersed storage error encode the data segments of the multi-media content using second level encoding parameters to produce sets of second level encoded data slices, wherein one of the data segments is encoded to generate one set of the sets of second level encoded data slices, wherein the second level encoding parameters provides a greater combination of decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment than the first level encoding parameters; and

store, via the interface, the sets of second level encoded data slices in a second set of storage units of the centralized DVS system.

20. The computing device of claim 19 further comprises:

the processing module is further operable to;

update the number of subscriber devices during the broadcast of the multi-media content to include subscriber devices that requested recording of the multi-media content during the broadcast of the multi-media content to produce an updated number of subscriber devices; and

when the number of subscriber devices is less than the first value and the updated number of subscriber devices is equal to or greater than the first value, dispersed storage error encode remaining data segments of the multi-media content using the second level encoding parameters.

21. The computing device of claim 20 further comprises:

the processing module is further operable to;

when the number of subscriber devices is less than the first value and the updated number of subscriber devices is equal to or greater than the first value, re-encode the data segments that were encoded using the first level encoding parameters using the second level encoding parameters.

22. The computing device of claim 19 further comprises:

the processing module is further operable to;

assign unique retrieval combinations of encoded data slices to the subscriber devices for enabling playback of a unique copy of the multi-media content.

23. The computing device of claim 19 further comprises:

the processing module is further operable to;

after the broadcast of the multi-media content and prior to expiration of a record enable time period, update the number of subscriber devices to include subscriber devices that requested recording of the multi-media content to produce an updated number of subscriber devices; and

when the number of subscriber devices is less than the first value and the updated number of subscriber devices is equal to or greater than the first value, re-encode the data segments of the multi-media content using the second level encoding parameters.

24. The computing device of claim 19 further comprises:

the processing module is further operable to;

when the number of subscriber devices is equal to or greater than a second value, wherein the second value is greater than the first value;

dispersed storage error encode the data segments of the multi-media content using third level encoding parameters to produce sets of third level encoded data slices, wherein one of the data segments is encoded to generate one set of the sets of third level encoded data slices, wherein the third level encoding parameters provides a greater combination of decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment than the second level encoding parameters; and

store, via the interface, the sets of third level encoded data slices in a third set of storage units of the centralized DVS system.

25. The computing device of claim 19 further comprises:

the first level encoding parameters includes a first pillar width number and a first decode threshold number to provide a first plurality of combinations of a first decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment; and

the second level encoding parameters includes a second pillar width number and a second decode threshold number to provide a second plurality of combinations of a second decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment.

26. The computing device of claim 19 further comprises:

the processing module is further operable to;

when a number of subscriber units is zero;

dispersed storage error encode the data segments of the multi-media content using default level encoding parameters to produce sets of default level encoded data slices, wherein one of the data segments is encoded to generate one set of the sets of default level encoded data slices, wherein the default level encoding parameters provides a lesser combination of decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment than the first level encoding parameters; and

store, via the interface, the sets of default level encoded data slices in storage units of the centralized DVS system.

27. The computing device of claim 26 further comprises:

the processing module is further operable to;

when a record enable time period expires and the number of subscriber units that have selected to record the multi-media content prior is zero, delete the sets of default level encoded data slices from the storage units.