US 9,313,512 B2Granted

Multiple bit rate encoding by segments

AssigneeVudu, Inc.

InventorsPrasanna Ganesan, Sumankar Shankar, Ananth Rao

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Abstract

A method performed by one or more processors for segmenting and encoding media content over a network. The media content is first partitioned into an ordered sequence of media segments. Each of the media segments is then encoded (i) at a first bit rate to generate a respective one of a first set of data segments, and (ii) at a second bit rate to generate a respective one of a second set of data segments, wherein data segments of the first set may be used interchangeably with data segments of the second set to facilitate continuous playback of the media content. A request for the media content is then received from another device in the network. In response, a respective one of the first set of data segments or the second set of data segments is selectively transmitted, for each of the media segments, based at least in part on a network bandwidth of the first device.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method performed by one or more processors for providing media content over a network, the method comprising:

partitioning the media content into an ordered sequence of media segments;
encoding each of the media segments (i) at a first bit rate to generate a respective one of a first set of data segments and (ii) at a second bit rate to generate a respective one of a second set of data segments, wherein:
the first bit rate is lower than the second bit rate;
and
data segments of the first set of data segments may be used interchangeably with data segments of the second set of data segments to facilitate continuous playback of the media content;
receiving a request for the media content from a first device coupled to the network;
transmitting at least one of the first set of data segments for one or more initial ones of the media segments encoded at the first bit rate, wherein at least some of the data segments of the first set of data segments transmitted are stored in a data buffer on the first device and queued for playback according to their respective order in the ordered sequence;
receiving, from the first device, a playback buffer capacity value corresponding to the data buffer on the first device;
and
selectively transmitting the respective one of the first set of data segments or the second set of data segments based on an available storage space of the data buffer, for each subsequent media segment following the one or more initial ones of the media segments, wherein:
transmitting a data segment from the first set of data segments is selected if the playback buffer capacity value is below a first threshold amount during a first transmission time;
transmitting a data segment from the second set of data segments is selected if the playback buffer capacity value is at least equal to the first threshold amount during the first transmission time;
and
the playback buffer capacity value indicates an amount of stored media content segments of the media segments available for playback.

11 more elements

A method performed by one or more processors for retrieving media content over a network, the method comprising:

transmitting a request for the media content to a first device coupled to the network, wherein the media content is partitioned into an ordered sequence of media segments;
retrieving, from the first device, a plurality of data segments pertaining to the media segments, respectively;
storing the data segments at a playback buffer;
queueing the plurality of data segments for playback according to their respective order in the ordered sequence;
detecting a playback buffer capacity value after retrieving an initial data segment of the plurality of data segments corresponding to an initial media segment of the media segments, wherein:
each subsequent data segment of the plruliaty of data segments following the initial data segment and corresponding to a subsequent media segment of the media segments is encoded at one of a first bit rate or a second bit rate;
the first bit rate is lower than the second bit rate;
and
all of the media segments are substantially identical in length to each other;
transmitting the plurality of data segments based on an available storage space of the playback buffer;
transmitting a request for a subsequent data segment of the plurality of data segments encoded at the first bit rate if the playback buffer capacity value is below a first threshold amount;
and
transmitting a request for a subsequent data segment of the plurality of data segments encoded at the second bit rate if the playback buffer capacity value is at least equal to the first threshold amount;
wherein
data segments encoded at the first bit rate cct may be used interchangeably with data segments encoded at the second bit rate to facilitate continuous playback of the media content;
and
the playback buffer capacity value indicates an amount of stored media content segments of the media segments available for playback.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/952,133Filed 22 Nov 2010 · us provisional application
Priority: 25 Nov 2009
Published: US 2011/0122939 A126 May 2011
Granted: 12 Apr 2016
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

H04N 19/194
The adaptation method, adaptation tool or adaptation type being iterative or recursive: involving only two passes
H04N 19/115
Characterised by the element, parameter or selection affected or controlled by the adaptive coding: selection of the code volume for a coding unit…
H04N 19/152
Data rate or code amount at the encoder output: by measuring the fullness of the transmission buffer
H04N 19/164
Characterised by the element, parameter or criterion affecting or controlling the adaptive coding: feedback from the receiver or from the…