US 12,713,105 B2 · Virtual set top

Abstract

Techniques for providing multimedia content in a virtual set top system are described. In some embodiments, a stream switchover method for UI rendering is performed at a device (e.g., a server) with one or more processors and a non-transitory memory. The server distributes a first stream that includes a plurality of frames. The server receives a request for a user interface (UI) from a client. In response to receiving the request, the server generates a second stream by locating an encoder to encode the plurality of frames into the second stream based on the first stream, instructing the encoder to accelerate encoding of the plurality of frames and facilitating blending of the UI into the second stream with the plurality of frames. The server then switches the client from the first stream to the second stream.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

at one or more servers hosting a user interface (UI) engine and a pool of encoders, wherein the one or more servers include one or more processors and a non-transitory memory:
preparing the pool of encoders by re-encoding a plurality of frames from a common stream with varying delays relative to the common stream, wherein the common stream is streamed to a plurality of clients;
selecting an encoder from the pool of encoders in response to a request for a UI from a client among the plurality of clients;
accelerating re-encoding of the plurality of frames by the selected encoder up to a switchover point and encoding a rendered UI generated by the UI engine blended with the plurality of frames starting at the switchover point into a unique stream;
and
switching the client from the common stream to the unique stream at the switch point.

3 more elements

A system comprising:

one or more servers hosting a user interface (UI) engine and a pool of encoders, wherein the one or more servers include one or more processors, a non-transitory memory, and one or more programs stored in the non-transitory memory, which, when executed, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
preparing the pool of encoders by re-encoding a plurality of frames from a common stream with varying delays relative to the common stream, wherein the common stream is streamed to a plurality of clients;
selecting an encoder from the pool of encoders in response to a request for a UI from a client among the plurality of clients;
accelerating re-encoding of the plurality of frames by the selected encoder up to a switchover point and encoding a rendered UI generated by the UI engine blended with the plurality of frames starting at the switchover point into a unique stream;
and
switching the client from the common stream to the unique stream at the switch point.

3 more elements

A non-transitory memory storing one or more programs, which, when executed by one or more processors of one or more servers, wherein the one or more servers host a user interface (UI) engine and a pool of encoders, cause the one or more servers to:

prepare the pool of encoders by re-encoding a plurality of frames from a common stream with varying delays relative to the common stream, wherein the common stream is streamed to a plurality of clients;
select an encoder from the pool of encoders in response to a request for a UI from a client among the plurality of clients;
accelerate re-encoding of the plurality of frames by the selected encoder up to a switchover point and encoding a rendered UI generated by the UI engine blended with the plurality of frames starting at the switchover point into a unique stream;
and
switch the client from the common stream to the unique stream at the switch point.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Virtual set top

Life of this patent

Virtual set top

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20