Method and apparatus for streaming multiple scalable coded video content to client devices at different encoding rates
AssigneeGeneral Instrument Corporation
InventorsGeorge W. Kajos, Gary Hughes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of delivering content to a client device over a network includes establishing communication with a first client device over a network. A first message is received over the network that indicates the content rendering capabilities of the first client device. Based on the first message, content is transmitted to the first client device over the network in a format that is fully decodable by the first client device in accordance with its content rendering capabilities.
Claims21
A method of delivering content to a client device over a network, comprising:
- establishing communication with a first client device over a network;
- receiving over the network a first message that indicates content rendering capabilities of the first client device;
- and
- based on the first message, transmitting content to the first client device over the network in a format that is fully decodable by the first client device in accordance with its content rendering capabilities.
A headend for delivering content over one or more networks, comprising:
- a scalable transcoder for receiving programming content and generating a scalably encoded programming stream therefrom, the scalably encoded programming stream including a plurality of layers;
- and
- a streaming server for receiving the scalably encoded programming stream, wherein the streaming server, responsive to a user request for the programming content, is configured to output for transmission over a network a transport stream in which the content is encoded at a bit rate corresponding to a resolution capability of a client device from which the user request is received.
At least one computer-readable medium encoded with instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs a method including:
- based on a characteristic of a first client device, selecting a first number of layers of a scalable coded content file;
- delivering the first number of layers to the first client device over a network;
- based on a characteristic of a second first client device, selecting a second number of layers of the scalable coded content file;
- and
- delivering the second number of layers to the second client device over the network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.