Client-side class-of-service-based bandwidth management in over-the-top video delivery

A client device, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• memory;
• input/output circuitry coupling the client device to a server device;
• and
• one or more high-speed data busses connecting the processors, memory and input/output circuitry together,
• the memory storing a set of computer program instructions executable by the processors to cause the client device to perform a method of retrieving content from a content delivery network, the method including:
• downloading the content as a series of segments encoded at respective bitrates, the bitrates selected from a set of distinct bitrates at which the content is encoded for downloading from the content delivery network;
• and
• pacing the downloading in accordance with a class of service for the client device, the class of service having an associated abort timeout increasing with higher classes of service, the pacing including:
• downloading a segment encoded at a first bitrate and monitoring for the earlier of completing the downloading or aborting the downloading based on the abort timeout;
• upon the downloading being aborted, calculating a first backoff duration as a remainder of a playback interval and waiting the first backoff duration before re-initiating download of the same segment encoded at a second bitrate less than the first bitrate;
• and
• upon the downloading completing, calculating a second backoff duration and waiting the second backoff duration before initiating download of a next segment encoded at either the first bitrate or at a third bitrate greater than the first bitrate.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer program instructions, the instructions being executable by a client device to cause the client device to perform a method of retrieving content from a content delivery network, the method including:

• downloading the content as a series of segments encoded at respective bitrates, the bitrates selected from a set of distinct bitrates at which the content is encoded for downloading from the content delivery network;
• and
• pacing the downloading in accordance with a class of service for the client device, the class of service having an associated abort timeout increasing with higher classes of service, the pacing including:
• downloading a segment encoded at a first bitrate and monitoring for the earlier of completing the downloading or aborting the downloading based on the abort timeout;
• upon the downloading being aborted, calculating a first backoff duration as a remainder of a playback interval and waiting the first backoff duration before re-initiating download of the same segment encoded at a second bitrate less than the first bitrate;
• and
• upon the downloading completing, calculating a second backoff duration and waiting the second backoff duration before initiating download of a next segment encoded at either the first bitrate or at a third bitrate greater than the first bitrate.