Systems and methods for rapid content switching to provide a linear TV experience using streaming content distribution
First Claim
1. A method for rapid content switching between pieces of content presented in a plurality of stations using streaming content distribution, comprising:
- processing at least a portion of a station manifest using a playback device, where the station manifest comprises;
identifiers for a plurality of content stations; and
identifiers for a plurality of pieces of content, where each piece of content is associated with at least one content station;
selecting a plurality of jump points using the playback device, where each jump point is associated with a specific location within a piece of content;
determining a current content station from the plurality of content stations using the playback device;
playing at least a portion of a current piece of content associated with the current content station from the plurality of pieces of content using the playback device;
determining a plurality of alternative pieces of content from the plurality of pieces of content using the station manifest using the playback device;
preparing additional content for playback at each of the plurality of jump points by preparing alternative pieces of content during playback of the current piece of content using the playback device;
receiving a user instruction during playback of the current piece of content using the playback device;
selecting a target jump point from the plurality of jump points based upon the received user instruction using the playback device; and
commencing playback of prepared additional content starting from the selected target jump point using the playback device.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for rapid content switching between pieces of content presented in a plurality of stations using streaming content distribution in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes processing a portion of a station manifest that includes identifiers for content stations and identifiers for pieces of content associated with content stations, selecting jump points that are associated with specific locations within pieces of content, determining a current content station, playing a portion of a current piece of content associated with the current content station, determining alternative pieces of content using the station manifest, preparing additional content for playback at each of the jump points by preparing alternative pieces of content during playback of the current content, receiving a user instruction during playback, selecting a target jump point based upon the user instruction, and commencing playback of additional content starting from the target jump point.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for rapid content switching between pieces of content presented in a plurality of stations using streaming content distribution, comprising:
processing at least a portion of a station manifest using a playback device, where the station manifest comprises; identifiers for a plurality of content stations; and identifiers for a plurality of pieces of content, where each piece of content is associated with at least one content station; selecting a plurality of jump points using the playback device, where each jump point is associated with a specific location within a piece of content; determining a current content station from the plurality of content stations using the playback device; playing at least a portion of a current piece of content associated with the current content station from the plurality of pieces of content using the playback device; determining a plurality of alternative pieces of content from the plurality of pieces of content using the station manifest using the playback device; preparing additional content for playback at each of the plurality of jump points by preparing alternative pieces of content during playback of the current piece of content using the playback device; receiving a user instruction during playback of the current piece of content using the playback device; selecting a target jump point from the plurality of jump points based upon the received user instruction using the playback device; and commencing playback of prepared additional content starting from the selected target jump point using the playback device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification