Intelligent delivery method for streamed content

• US 20030065803A1
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Published: 04/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Heuvelman, Jeroen
• Application Number:
  US09/967,455
• Publication Number:
  US 20030065803A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25808 Management of client data terminal profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/303
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2662 Controlling the complexity of the video stream, e.g. by scaling the resolution or bitrate of the video stream based on the client capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44231 Monitoring of peripheral device or external card, e.g. to detect processing problems in a handheld device or the failure of an external recording device configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network H04L12/2823; monitoring the status of connected device in data switched networks H04L43/0817
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4621 Controlling the complexity of the content stream or additional data, e.g. lowering the resolution or bit-rate of the video stream for a mobile client with a small screen arrangements for using the results of monitoring on user's side in broadcast systems H04H60/65; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums

Abstract

An end device has certain processing capabilities and an end-user has specific requirements for a streamed data stream from a service provider over a network link or from a home server. A method, system and system is provided that communicates capabilities and requirements of an end-user to the provider. This allows the service provider or home server to send a tailor made data stream. In the event that the end-user owns a wireless IHDN the method includes taking into account capabilities in a dynamical fashion.

Claims

1. A method of enabling a transport of content that is streamed via a data network, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

monitoring a condition of the data network, and

dynamically influencing a streaming bit-rate depending on the condition.

2. The method of claim 1, for use with a wireless portion of the data network.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the monitoring comprises at least one of the following steps:

determining a signal-to-noise ratio,

determining an error in the transport, and

determining an availability of a free sub-band in an allocated spectrum.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising dynamically influencing an error-correction process that depends on the condition.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising influencing the streaming bit-rate, taking into account at least one of the following:

a processing capability of a destination of the content,

a storage capability of the destination, and

a presentation capability of the destination.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising influencing the streaming bit-rate, taking into account a user profile.

7. A software application (SW) for enabling a transport of content that is streamed via a data network, wherein the SW comprises:

a first module for monitoring a condition of the data network, and

a second module for dynamically influencing a streaming bit-rate depending on the condition.

8. The SW of claim 7, for use with a wireless portion of the data network.

9. The SW of claim 8, wherein the first module comprises at least one of the following:

a third module for determining a signal-to-noise ratio,

a fourth module for determining an error in the transport, and

a fifth module for determining an availability of a free sub-band in an allocated spectrum.

10. The SW of claim 7, comprising a sixth module for dynamically influencing an error-correction process that depends on the condition.

11. The SW of claim 7, comprising a seventh module for enabling communication of at least one of the following parameters:

a processing capability of a destination of the content,

a storage capability of the destination, and

a presentation capability of the destination.

12. The SW of claim 7, comprising a eighth module for enabling communication of a user profile.

13. A control device for control of a transport of content that is streamed via a data network, wherein the device comprises:

a first functionality to monitor a condition of the data network, and

a second functionality to influence a streaming bit-rate in a dynamical fashion and depending on the condition.

14. The control device of claim 13, comprising means for controlling a wireless part of the data network.

15. The control device of claim 14, wherein the first functionality includes means for determining at least one of the following:

a signal to noise ratio,

an error in the transport, and

an availability of a free sub-band in an allocated spectrum.

16. The control device of claim 13, comprising means for influencing an error-correction process that depends on the network condition.

17. The control device of claim 13, comprising means for communicating at least one of the following:

a processing capability of a destination of the content,

a storage capability of the destination, and

a presentation capability of the destination.

18. The control device of claim 13, comprising means for communicating a user profile.