Method for streaming fine granular scalability coded video over an IP network

7) A method for streaming fine granular scalability coded video data, comprising:

• providing a server for sending fine granular scalability coded video data into a data network through a plurality of channels;
• perceiving network congestion conditions of the data network at a receiver;
• dynamically modifying subscriptions to a predetermined number of the plurality of the channels based on the perceived congestion conditions of the data network at the receiver;
• accounting for the number of the channels subscribed to by the receiver at an adaptive node.

8) A method for transmitting streaming fine granular scalability coded video data, comprising:

• a. disposing an adaptive node logically intermediate a server and a receiver in a data network;
• b. initiating communication between the server and the receiver over the data network logically through the adaptive node;
• c. subscribing to one or more channels by the receiver based on network capacity as perceived by the receiver, each channel corresponding to a predetermined data layer of a plurality of data layers comprising the streaming fine granular scalability coded video data available at the server;
• d. initiating end-to-end communication channels between the server and the receiver over the data network for each subscribed channel logically through the adaptive node;
• e. recognizing by the adaptive node of the channels subscribed to by receivers downstream of the adaptive node operatively disposed intermediate the server and the receiver;
• f. sending a predetermined number of data layers of the plurality of data layers by the server into the data network via their respective channels;
• g. monitoring of the network capacity by the receiver at the receiver;
• h. monitoring of the network capacity at the adaptive node by the adaptive node;
• i. modifying transmission of the subscribed channels at the receiver based on network capacity as perceived by the receiver;
• and
• j. modifying transmission of the subscribed channels through the adaptive node to the receiver based on network capacity as perceived by the adaptive node.

16) An adaptive node for use in a streaming video data system, comprising:

• a. a data communications interface for operatively connecting to a data network;
• b. a network analyzer for:
• i. perceiving network congestion conditions of the data network at the adaptive node;
• and
• ii. based on the perceived network congestion conditions, dynamically modifying transmission of data channels from a source of data channels disposed logically upstream of the adaptive node to a client logically disposed downstream of the adaptive node.