System and method for progressive download with minimal play latency

A computer-implemented method for transferring content from a sending system to a receiving system, comprising:

• pre-delivering a first portion content file to a memory of the receiving system over a data communications network prior to initiating playout of the first portion content file on the receiving system;
• receiving a request for a second portion content file from the receiving system over the data communications network, the receiving system being configured to initiate playout of the first portion content file on the receiving system in response to requesting the second portion content file;
• and
• during playout of the first portion content file on the receiving system, delivering segments of the second portion content file comprising a plurality of segments to a buffer of the receiving system over the data communications network using substantially only surplus network capacity.

A receiving system configured for receiving content from a sending system over a data communications network, the receiving system comprising:

• a buffer, a data storage module, a network interface, and a processor communicatively coupled with each other, the data storage module storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the receiving system to:
• receive a first portion content file in the data storage module, wherein the first portion content file is pre-delivered by the sending system over the data communications network to the receiving system via the network interface prior to initiating playout of the first portion content file on the receiving system;
• transmit a request for a second portion content file from the sending system over the data communications network via the network interface;
• initiate playout of the first portion content file on the receiving system;
• during playout of the first portion content file:
• receive segments of the second portion content file comprising a plurality of segments in the buffer, wherein the segments are sent by the sending system over the data communications network via the network interface using substantially only surplus network capacity;
• and
• initiate playout of the second portion content file from the buffer at a time subsequent to the buffer being filled to a determined pre-fill threshold.

A sending system configured for delivering a first portion content file and a second portion content file to a receiving system over a data communications network, the sending system comprising:

• a data storage module;
• a network interface;
• a processor communicatively coupled with the data storage module and the network interface, the data storage module storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the sending system to:
• determine whether a user of the receiving system is likely to subsequently request playout of the second portion content file;
• dependent on the determination of whether the user of the receiving system is likely to subsequently request playout of the second portion content file, pre-deliver a first portion content file to a memory of the receiving system over a data communications network via the network interface prior to when playout of the first portion content file is initiated on the receiving system, the first portion content file relating to the second portion content file that is likely to be requested by the user;
• receive a request for the second portion content file from the receiving system over the data communications network via the network interface, the receiving system being configured to initiate playout of the first portion content file on the receiving system;
• and
• during playout of the first portion content file on the receiving system, deliver segments of the second portion content file comprising a plurality of segments to a buffer of the receiving system over the data communications network via the network interface using substantially only surplus network capacity, wherein the receiving system is configured to initiate playout of the second portion content file from the buffer at a time subsequent to the buffer being filled to a determined pre-fill threshold.

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a sending system, cause the sending system to deliver a first portion content file and a second portion content file to a receiving system by causing the sending system to:

• determine whether a user of a receiving system is likely to subsequently request playout of the second portion content file;
• dependent on the determination of whether the user of the receiving system is likely to subsequently request playout of the second portion content file, pre-deliver a first portion content file to a memory of the receiving system over a data communications network prior to when playout of the first portion content file is initiated on the receiving system, the first portion content file relating to the second portion content file that is likely to be requested by the user;
• receive a request for the second portion content file from the receiving system over the data communications network, the receiving system being configured to initiate playout of the first portion content file on the receiving system;
• and
• during playout of the first portion content file on the receiving system, deliver segments of the second portion content file comprising a plurality of segments to a buffer of the receiving system over the data communications network using substantially only surplus network capacity.

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a receiving system, cause the receiving system to:

• receive a first portion content file in a memory of the receiving system, wherein the first portion content file is pre-delivered to the receiving system by a sending system over a data communications network prior to initiating playout of the first portion content file on the receiving system;
• request a second portion content file from the sending system over the data communications network;
• initiate playout of the first portion content file on the receiving system;
• during playout of the first portion content file, receive segments of the second portion content file comprising a plurality of segments in a buffer of the receiving system, wherein the segments are sent by the sending system over the data communications network using substantially only surplus network capacity;
• and
• initiate playout of the second portion content file from the buffer at a time subsequent to the buffer being filled to a determined pre-fill threshold.