Methods and systems for providing video at multiple bit rates
AssigneeComcast Cable Communications, LLC
InventorsWalter STURM, Philip John STROFFOLINO
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A user device may optimize content delivery by dynamically adjusting encoding strategies based on network conditions. Initially, content is encoded at multiple bit rates defined by a first bit rate ladder having a first ratio between consecutive bit rates. Upon receiving information indicative of network conditions, a second bit rate ladder with a different ratio is generated, and the content is re-encoded at the second set of bit rates. Monitoring of network conditions continues to determine whether changes warrant further adjustments. This dynamic generation and encoding across alternative bit rate ladders enables fine-tuned load reduction in the content delivery network and improved playback quality for user devices.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- encoding content at each of a first plurality of bit rates of a first bit rate ladder, wherein the first bit rate ladder has a first ratio between consecutive bit rates of the first plurality of bit rates;
- receiving information indicative of a network condition;
- and
- generating a second bit rate ladder comprising a second plurality of bit rates, wherein the second bit rate ladder has a second ratio between consecutive bit rates of the second plurality of bit rates that is different from the first ratio;
- encoding the content at each of the second plurality of bit rates of the second bit rate ladder;
- and
- monitoring the network condition to determine whether, based on the second bit rate ladder, the network condition has changed.
A device, comprising:
- one or more processors;
- and
- memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to:
- encode content at each of a first plurality of bit rates of a first bit rate ladder, wherein the first bit rate ladder has a first ratio between consecutive bit rates of the first plurality of bit rates;
- receive information indicative of a network condition;
- and
- generate a second bit rate ladder comprising a second plurality of bit rates, wherein the second bit rate ladder has a second ratio between consecutive bit rates of the second plurality of bit rates that is changed from the first ratio;
- encode the content at each of the second plurality of bit rates of the second bit rate ladder;
- and
- monitor the network condition to determine whether, based on the second bit rate ladder, the network condition has changed.
A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising code that, when executed by a processor of a device, causes the processor to perform operations comprising:
- encoding content at each of a first plurality of bit rates of a first bit rate ladder, wherein the first bit rate ladder has a first ratio between consecutive bit rates of the first plurality of bit rates;
- receiving information indicative of a network condition;
- and
- generating a second bit rate ladder comprising a second plurality of bit rates, wherein the second bit rate ladder has a second ratio between consecutive bit rates of the second plurality of bit rates that is changed from the first ratio;
- encoding the content at each of the second plurality of bit rates of the second bit rate ladder;
- and
- monitoring the network condition to determine whether, based on the second bit rate ladder, the network condition has changed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.