Switched Multicast Video Streaming
AssigneeComcast Cable Communications, LLC
InventorRoss Gilson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for improving media delivery and display. By utilizing a memory buffer in a DVR or similar device, and broadcasting linear content at a rate other than 1×, services like video on demand or regular broadcasters can be more versatile. For example viewers can start over without launching a separate VOD session. If part of the linear content requested is not in the buffer, a switched multicast stream can be sent to with the proper section of content. Other receivers on the network may also receive the stream and buffer the content if the content is related to what a viewer is viewing.
Claims21
A method comprising simultaneously streaming to a interface device a first segment of a media program on a first logical channel of a transmission network and a second segment of the media program, different from the first, on a second logical channel of the transmission network.
A method comprising simultaneously streaming on two different logical channels in a transmission network alternating segments of portions of a media program to an interface device.
A method comprising:
- at a first time point, commencing streaming a media program on a first channel over a transmission network by a processor;
- at a second time point after the first time point, and while the media program is still streaming on the first channel, commencing streaming the media program again on a second channel;
- at a third time point after the second time point, and while the media program is still streaming on the first channel, commencing streaming the media program again on a third channel;
- and
- providing information over the transmission network regarding which portions of the media program are being transmitted on the respective channels in order to enable trick play features.
A method comprising:
- streaming a first media content stream over a transmission network;
- receiving a request from the transmission network to provide a related portion of the media content different from the first media content then being streamed;
- while continuing to stream the first media content, providing the related media content on a multicast stream over the transmission network configured to be receivable by a plurality of interface devices for the purpose of enabling playback points earlier in time.
A method comprising simultaneously caching the data from a plurality of channels that have not been selected for recording to enable trick play features.
A central system apparatus comprising:
- a server;
- a processor;
- and
- a memory, including executable instructions, that when provided to the processor, cause the server to perform:
- streaming a first media content stream over a transmission network;
- receiving a request from the transmission network to provide a related portion of the media content different from the first media content then being streamed;
- while continuing to stream the first media content, providing the related media content on a multicast stream over the transmission network configured to be receivable by a plurality of interface devices for the purpose of enabling playback points earlier in time.
A method comprising:
- receiving media content streamed over a transmission network;
- while receiving the streamed media content, providing the streamed media content for viewing at a playback rate;
- upon receiving a request to change playback of the streamed media content to a different playback point, determining if media content for the different playback point is available in a local media content storage buffer;
- if media content for the different playback point is not available in the local media content storage buffer, transmitting a request over the transmission network for additional media content for the different playback point;
- receiving a multicast stream including the additional media content over the transmission network, the additional media content being streamed at a rate higher than the playback rate for the media content;
- and
- storing the additional media content in the local media content storage buffer.
The method of claim 22 further including:
- without transmitting a request over the transmission network, receiving information regarding a second multicast stream including additional media content;
- and
- determining if the additional media content is related to the provided streamed media content for viewing, and if the additional media content is not available in the local media content storage buffer, then receiving the second multicast stream including additional media content, and storing the additional media content in the local media content storage buffer.
The method of claim 22 wherein the media content streamed over a transmission network is streamed at a rate greater than a playback rate, and the method includes storing the media content in the local media content storage buffer.
The method of claim 22 wherein receiving media content streamed over a transmission network includes receiving the media content in a plurality of content streams, each of the content streams providing a different segment of the media content.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.