Startup methods and apparatuses for use in streaming content
First Claim
1. A method for use in a client device, the method comprising:
- identifying streamable media content available from a server device over a communication link, said streamable media content having associated with it an encoded bitrate;
providing a startup request to said server device over said communication link, said startup request identifying said streamable media content, a communication link bandwidth, and an amount of said streamable media content to be transmitted at a bitrate greater than said encoded bitrate and no greater than about said communication link bandwidth.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses are provided for use with a client and server device connected through a communication link. The client device sends a startup request to the server device. The startup request identifies a streamable media content that is to be provided to the client device, a communication link bandwidth associated with the communication link, and an amount of the desired streamable media content that is to be provided at a bitrate greater than the encoded bitrate but no greater than about the communication link bandwidth. The server device buffers at least the amount of the streamable media content, and transmits the amount of the buffered streamable media content at the higher bitrate. The server device locates a discrete rendering point in the amount of the buffered streamable media content and initiates transmission beginning with the discrete rendering point. After transmitting the amount of the buffered streamable media content, the server device transmits subsequent portions of the streamable media content to the client device at a bitrate about equal to the encoded bitrate. The client device buffers received streamable media content, and subsequently renders the buffered streamed media content.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A method for use in a client device, the method comprising:
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identifying streamable media content available from a server device over a communication link, said streamable media content having associated with it an encoded bitrate;
providing a startup request to said server device over said communication link, said startup request identifying said streamable media content, a communication link bandwidth, and an amount of said streamable media content to be transmitted at a bitrate greater than said encoded bitrate and no greater than about said communication link bandwidth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for use in a client device, the apparatus comprising:
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memory suitable for buffering streamable media content having associated with it an encoded bitrate; and
logic operatively coupled to said memory and configured to generate at least one startup request that identifies a desired streamable media content, a communication link bandwidth, and an amount of said desired streamable media content that is to be provided at a bitrate greater than said encoded bitrate but no greater than about said communication link bandwidth. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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18. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for:
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identifying streamable media content available from a server device over a communication link, said streamable media content having associated with it an encoded bitrate;
providing a startup request to said server device over said communication link, said startup request identifying said streamable media content, a communication link bandwidth, and an amount of said streamable media content to be transmitted at a bitrate greater than said encoded bitrate and no greater than about said communication link bandwidth.
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24. A method for use in a server device, the method comprising:
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identifying streamable media content available to a client device over a communication link, said streamable media content having associated with it an encoded bitrate;
receiving a startup request from said client device over said communication link, said startup request specifying said streamable media content to be transmitted to said client, a communication link bandwidth, and an amount of said streamable media content to be transmitted at a bitrate greater than said encoded bitrate and no greater than about said communication link bandwidth.
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31. An apparatus for use in a server device, the apparatus comprising:
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memory suitable for buffering streamable media content having associated with it an encoded bitrate; and
logic operatively coupled to said memory and configurable to respond in accord with to a startup request, said startup request specifying streamable media content to be provided to said client, a communication link bandwidth associated with a communications link established between said server device and said logic, and an amount of said streamable media content to be transmitted at a bitrate greater than said encoded bitrate and no greater than about said communication link bandwidth. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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38. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for:
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identifying streamable media content available to a client device over a communication link, said streamable media content having associated with it an encoded bitrate;
receiving a startup request from said client device over said communication link, said startup request specifying said streamable media content to be transmitted to said client, a communication link bandwidth, and an amount of said streamable media content to be transmitted at a bitrate greater than said encoded bitrate and no greater than about said communication link bandwidth.
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45. A system comprising:
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a network configured to provide a communication link;
a server device operatively coupled to said network; and
a client device operatively coupled to said network, and configured to send at least one startup request to said server device over said communication link, said startup request identifying a streamable media content to be provided to said client device over said communication link, a client determined communication link bandwidth associated with said communication link, and an amount of said desired streamable media content that is to be provided at a bitrate greater than said encoded bitrate but no greater than about said communication link bandwidth.
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Specification